Cruising to Walking Independently

I never really did much, beyond a bit of encouraging talk ("come on, come to mama"). My kids were all early walkers (8-11 months) so I never really felt the need. I've seen other moms give their kids one end of something to hold on to, just for confidence, etc, but I never felt it was necessary.

8 months is actually REALLY young for independent walking. If he ends up walking on his own right away, that's fine, but be ready for a 2 or 3 month (or more) wait. He's making all the right steps (no pun intended), and he'll get there when he's ready.

It's going to happen overnight! I bet you just jinxed yourself by asking ;)

Took about a month to go from 2-3 steps to regular old walking (toddling!).
Aside from cheering him on, we didn't do anything more. At that point, you just have to let them figure it out for themselves.

Doing that with my DD now, who is just 11 mos. She's stading on her own, but working up the courage for that first step.

He will do it when he is ready. One of my children went from cruising to walking in a matter of a week or 2. The other one cruised for many months before she was ready to let go and walk. There is nothing you need to do except keep surroundings clear of things that are a danger. Enjoy watching you son learn new things.

oldest pulled up at 7 months, cruised at 7.5 months and didn't walk until 10.5months, my middle one pulled up at 6.5 months cruised at 7 months and didn't walk until 10.5 months...every baby is different though.

The last daycare child I had of that age (or experience level) didn't take too long to start walking once she got the idea.

I worked with her on the toys that are designed to push while walking (they've got wheels) Back when I was younger they would work with my cousin on walking by sitting on the floor across from another adult. My cousin would walk from one adult and back to the other. Of course the better he got the wider the gap between 'goals'.

Even just holding hands and walking with support goes a long way in helping them develop their sense of balance.