web analytics

How to Help Your Baby Learn to Walk

When your baby starts sitting, crawling and standing, it’s an exciting time for all parents. The happiest moment for parents is when their little ones start walking. Imagine the happiness on every parent’s face: ”Our little one is no longer a baby, he’s becoming a child”.

Walking is a normal process every baby needs to go through and you as a parent can ease that process. alt="Baby Walk"

Here’s how you can help your child walk:

1. Make him lay more on his stomach

Although many newborns hate this, laying on their stomachs will help your baby build neck and back muscles that will help him walk

2. Once he starts sitting on his own, put his toys far from him so he can reach for them

This way you’ll make him move more and he’ll strengthen the muscles in his legs

3. Make him crawl

Crawling will improve your baby’s orientation and he’ll learn how to move his legs and hands at the same time. Crawl with your baby to help him learn how to crawl. Place some toys on the other end of the room, and make him crawl to get them.

4. Avoid using baby walkers

The American Academy of Pediatrics forbids using baby walkers. Not only they don’t help your baby strengthen his leg muscles, they’re also dangerous.

5. Once your baby starts standing on his own, keep him standing as much as you can

Play with him and sing to him when he’s standing, so that he can associate standing with having fun. The more time he spends on his feet, the more he’ll feel confident in making his first steps.

6. Let him stand in his bed

Baby’s beds are closed, safe and your baby can use the bed fence to have balance when standing. Baby beds are also good because if your baby falls, he’ll fall on the soft mattress.

7. Use a Pilates ball

Get on your knees so you can move the ball and look out for your child. Let your baby hold the back of the ball while you slowly move the ball through the room.

8. Resist the temptation to carry your child in your hands

Let him walk on his own, but always hold his hand.

9. No shoes

Your baby will learn to walk faster if he’s barefoot. Shoes will only make him feel off balanced.

10. Don’t panic if your baby stops walking and gets back to crawling

Babies always take a break after they start walking. Some babies get back to crawling after experiencing a bad fall.

11. Make your home a safer place

Walking and falling come in pair. Transform your home in a safer place so that your baby will be protected when he falls.