Most babies start walking sometime between 10 and 18 months. But first they must crawl, get up and walk supported. Keep in mind that all babies are different, so your baby may have to work hard to learn to walk or just start out of the blue. The key is to provide plenty of encouragement and encourage practice so that your baby feels safe walking.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Help Your Baby Stand Up
Step 1. Bounce your baby on your lap with his feet on your lap
This will strengthen the muscles in your legs, especially if you are still crawling or just starting to get up.
You will also need to show her how to bend her knees and have her practice it so that she develops the motor skills necessary to stand and sit
Step 2. Give your baby a rocking chair
When he is between 5 and 6 months old, give your baby a rocking chair, which will help him begin to develop his leg muscles.
- Avoid getting your baby a walker, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not recommend the use of baby walkers. Studies show that they can actually slow down motor development and cause back problems in babies. They are also a safety hazard, as walkers could tip over or roll down stairs.
- The use of walkers is prohibited in Canada and the AAP recommends that the US take the same action against them.
Step 3. Use toys to get your baby to stand up
Place a toy just out of reach, above your baby, or in a place where he will have to stand up to reach it.
Step 4. Help your baby sit up once he has stood up on his own
Most babies begin to stand up on their own before learning how to sit up again, so don't be alarmed if your baby cries for help while standing up.
Instead of lifting him up when he starts to create a fuss, help him learn to sit by gently bending his knees and supporting his weight until he reaches the ground safely
Part 2 of 4: Help Your Baby Walk Supported
Step 1. Align your furniture so that your baby can walk supported more easily
To do this, your baby will begin to use furniture and other surfaces or objects for support as he begins to move around the place. Move your furniture into a stable line, making sure it is safe for the baby, that way your baby can walk supported more easily on his own.
- In fact, once your baby starts doing it, it will be a good idea to make your home safe again for a child, as they can access new heights and perhaps new dangers.
- Help your baby to stop leaning on furniture as he walks by offering him your fingers and allowing him to hold you with both hands. Sooner than expected, the baby will be holding you with one hand or even letting go of you altogether.
Step 2. Give your baby a push toy
A push toy, such as a shopping cart or small lawnmower, will support your baby as he practices supported walking. This will also give you control as you learn to walk, improve your balance, and increase your confidence.
- If your baby has just started to walk on his own, give him a toy that doesn't have wheels. Once you are sure your baby is strong enough, give him a push toy with wheels.
- Always check that the push toy is heavy and has a bar or handle with a good grip, as well as large tires, as this will make it more difficult for it to tip over.
Step 3. Raise your baby to a standing position
Allow your baby to grasp your fingers and pull them into a standing position, so that he is essentially leaning on his own weight. Let him take a walk while you hold him under your arms.
- The more time you spend exercising your legs, the sooner you will begin to try to take steps on your own.
- Holding your baby while standing will also help his legs straighten up and prevent them from bending later. Bent legs usually go away by the time your baby turns 18 months old, although this condition can last until he is 3 years old.
Step 4. Congratulate your baby on his effort
Most babies seem to be born with an inherent desire to satisfy their parents, and to receive congratulations, applause, and words of encouragement. So let your baby know when he has done a great job by standing or walking supported by offering visible gestures of encouragement and congratulations.
Step 5. Don't buy walking shoes for your baby
There is no need to invest in a shoe collection for your little one, as the best footwear for your baby is not to wear any at all.
- As long as the interior surfaces are clean and safe for your baby to walk on, let him walk and explore barefoot (or, if you prefer, wearing non-slip socks) as much as possible to help develop muscle tone in his feet and ankles., and help you develop balance and coordination.
- If your baby is going for a walk outside, make sure he wears light, flexible shoes. Avoid knee-high boots or high-top sneakers, as increased ankle support can actually slow down your little one by restricting their movements.
Step 6. Avoid forcing your baby to get up or walk with your help if he doesn't want to
This can make your baby fearful and slow her ability to stand or walk.
Many babies will walk when they are ready, so don't be alarmed if your baby doesn't start walking until he is 18 months old, or possibly more than 18 months old
Part 3 of 4: Help Your Baby Walk
Step 1. Make balance a game
To encourage your baby to get used to balancing on both feet, try making balancing a fun game with plenty of encouragement and praise.
Sit on the floor with your baby and help him stand up. Then count out how long you can stand before falling. Clap and congratulate him after each attempt to balance
Step 2. Encourage your baby to walk, rather than sit
Do this by placing him in a standing position, rather than a position in which he sits on his butt.
Step 3. Stand across the room and encourage your baby to walk towards you
This may help your baby feel confident and motivated enough to take his first steps.
Step 4. Let him know that taking his first steps is an important matter
Taking the first steps is an important time for your little one, so be sure to be as enthusiastic and encouraging as possible about it.
Encouraging your baby as he walks will let him know that he is doing something right and will give him the confidence to keep walking
Step 5. Anticipate that the baby will stop and then start walking again
Don't be too alarmed if your little walker crawls again after a bad fall or illness. The child also struggles to accomplish other developmental feats such as fingering names or manipulating food with his hands, so he may take a break for a few weeks or a month and not walk.
Some babies may be more comfortable with crawling at first, so they may engage in a crawl-and-walk dynamic before engaging in just walking
Step 6. Allow your baby to fall as long as he is safe
When your baby begins to walk, he may sway, zigzag, and even dive as he will try to hone his walking skills. Also, most babies do not have good depth perception, so they tend to bump into or fall into objects instead of walking directly towards them.
- As long as your home is a safe environment for a baby who is walking and you watch him carefully at all times, do not worry about his inevitable and numerous falls. Your baby may scream when he has fallen, but he is more likely to be frustrated than hurt.
- The diaper and her little butt will double as built-in bumpers for any falls, and your baby will probably forget her trips and falls before you. Avoid making a big fuss when you have small falls as you learn to walk on your own.
Part 4 of 4: Encourage Your Baby While He Walks
Step 1. Avoid comparing your baby's development with that of other babies
Not all babies are the same, so don't be alarmed if your baby doesn't walk at a certain age. The time it takes for a baby to accomplish a particular feat, such as walking, can vary due to different body weights or even different personalities. Keep in mind that the timeline for the baby to learn to walk is an approximation and is not set in stone or is an absolute requirement for every baby.
- Some babies born prematurely may have more trouble accomplishing feats at the same rate as other children born late in pregnancy.
- Also, babies are sometimes afraid to let go of their fingers and take their first steps. So it is very important to encourage and support your baby as he learns to walk and not to put too much pressure or stress on him.
Step 2. Don't be alarmed if your baby appears to have flat feet
In fact, it's just baby fat filling in on your feet. Around the age of 2 to 3, that extra "swelling" in their feet will melt away and you may be able to see their natural arches.
Their feet may also curl inward, looking like a crescent, which works as another support for babies. In time, your feet will straighten out
Step 3. Be sure your baby's feet will straighten themselves
Pigeon toes come from an internal tibial twist, which means that your baby's bones are oriented inward.
- This will correct itself within six months of your baby's first steps.
- If your baby still has pigeon toes after six months, ask her pediatrician about what stretching exercises she could do to correct the problem.
Step 4. Check your baby's feet to make sure they can be stretched
Some babies will have a natural desire to tiptoe, which actually helps them develop their sense of balance. This is almost always a quirk that will go away on its own, but on rare occasions, it can be an indicator of an overly-tight muscle in your baby's heels or feet.
If your baby is unable to physically stretch his feet on his own, or is walking on his toes after age 3, tell your pediatrician, as this could be a sign of a developmental problem
Step 5. See your pediatrician if your baby repeatedly falls, his legs seem very stiff, or is continually wobbling to one side
There could be signs of possible nerve, joint, or spinal problems.
Step 6. Let your baby explore as he becomes more comfortable walking
As she gains confidence and becomes more comfortable walking on flat, smooth surfaces, let her also try walking on an incline or uneven surface. These new environments will help develop your baby's sense of balance.