How To Help Baby Start Walking
When your baby learns how to walk, it is a new milestone. Their whole life changes! Baby is now able to explore the world from a whole new perspective and they get freedoms they never had before. Being independent and walking opens up a whole new world for discovery, curiosity, adventure and even a little mischief. We want to show you how to help baby start walking!
If you want to help your child to learn to walk, we have some top tips that are going to make it a smooth transition!
Signs your Child is ready to Walk
Do not worry if your child is not ready to walk immediately. Some children walk at 9 months and some walk at 15 months. It’s all relative. In the end, they will make it in their own way.
There are some signs that your child is ready to walk. They will have strong head coordination. They will be able to focus and show great interest in objects. They may stand with your assistance or the assistance of a sturdy furniture. These are big signs that your child is ready to walk.
For the brave babies, they may attempt it all on their own. They may attempt to take a few steps, misstep and fall.
Prep your Area for a Safe Space to Walk
Remember how it easy it was when your child did not move? If you left them in one place, they would remain there? It was a huge change when your baby started crawling and now it is going to change again! Things that are in your babies reach will be discovered. Do you have things like wires, lights, furniture with sharp edges? Your baby is going to love each and every one of those things. In our parenting experience, babies love what they should not be around. So it is time to baby proof your home.
Extra points if you have carpet or a big area rug. Babies will fall when they walk and that softens the blow a bit, even though this is not necessary.
Top Walking Tips
Use Motivational Toys
Does your baby have a favorite toy? Place the item about four steps away from your baby and hold them as they walk towards the item. Let them enjoy their toy and gently place it four paces away from your child again. Do this over and over again and let your child walk steadily with your guidance and receive the favorite toy.
As your child gains the confidence of walking with you, you have replaced the fear of walking with the motivation of learning through a reward system. Its positive and gentle parenting. Sing or talk to your baby as they are trying to walk.
You and a partner
Have a partner sit four paces away from you on the floor. This person should be someone that the baby really likes. Have your partner call for the baby, extending their arms out. With your aid, slowly walk with the baby to your partner. The partner embraces the baby and gives the baby a big hug. The partner then walks the baby to you. After a few tries, are you noticing that the baby is more confident and looking to take a step by themselves? Let the baby walk the last step by themselves with your arms hovering right beside them. Did they take a step? Keep practicing and your baby is guaranteed to surprise you.
Encourage Your Baby to Safely Cruise
This as all of our other steps will require your constant attention. Let your baby cruise from couch to couch, chairs and other sturdy furniture. Encourage them as they explore and learn their independence!
Your baby will continue to cruise around, they will be more confident in their steps. Do you notice your baby walks on their tippy toes? That will soon stop with confidence. They will learn to change their posture.
How to Increase Your Babies Confidence to Walk
As most things in life, it’s all about confidence. You have to guide your child to be confident enough to walk! Since you have a baby and not a child who can communicate well, you can encourage your child without giving them a Vince Lombardi worthy speech!
Don’t worry about investing in shoes
Baby shoes are adorable but let your child learn without shoes. Your child needs to find posture, balance and more so let them experience that without shoes.
Take off the socks!
Socks can be slippy and you want your baby to love the idea of walking. Take off those socks to avoid any accidents.
Use Encouraging Words
If you are stressed about your child walking, your child will be stressed! Stay in a positive mood and use words of encouragement. Sing, happy faces and speak kindly to your child.
Practice Everyday
Practice makes perfect! Your baby will need to practice every day to learn how to walk. Set aside some time every day to get your baby motoring!
If they are showing no interest in walking
If your baby is crying or shows no interest in walking, let it go. Some babies learn at 10 months and some learn at 15 months. This does not mean that the 15 month old is a slow learner. It just means they are working on other skills! Often times less mobile children and learning social skills and how to talk. If you are still concerned that your baby is not walking, speak to your pediatrician or doctor.
Don’t Worry If…
Your baby regresses and does not want to walk for a few days. It’s normal! Just like you, they can have a few days that they are just not feeling it.
Your child has no arch and walks with the side of their feet or they look flat footed. Baby’s feet are like that! As your child continues to walk, the arch will slowly develop. Aren’t our bodies amazing?
Baby Starts Walking- You’re Ready to Go!
It is so exciting when your baby is ready to start this new milestone. The bond you will have as you hold your babies hand to help them start to walk will be a memory that you carry on with you for the rest of your life. With these top tips and dispelled worries, you are all set to go to the next stage of your baby’s life… a fully walking little one! We hope these top tips will show everyone how to help baby start walking!
