Baby’s first steps: here’s what you need to know.
Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels
Having a baby is the biggest undertaking you will ever undertake in your life but it is also the most glorious. A child will affect the rest of your life so you need to know as much about raising babies as possible.
You should particularly know about what happens when your baby starts walking. It is such an exciting time.
The following are a few things you should know about it:
When it happens
First of all, there is no specific time for when babies start walking as we are all different. However, it generally happens when a baby is about a year old. A little earlier or later is completely normal.
Your baby will start being mobile by rolling over. They will then start crawling and soon they will be standing. Once they do, they are only a step away from walking.
You should be alert for the signs such as when they start standing more often and then falling. You can then start helping your baby learn how to walk.
They need support
Once you notice that your child is beginning to walk, you may decide to let them go at it on their own. However, it is more important for you to offer them support as it will benefit the child greatly.
You can hold your child’s hands and slowly lead them across increasingly longer distances. You may also decide to give them the best baby walker. A baby walker is a great tool because it helps the child learn to walk on their own while reducing the chance of injury.
The key to helping your child walk is repetition. The more they do it, the better they will get at it and will soon be walking alone.
Create a safe environment
Once your baby starts walking, it is vital that you keep them safe because babies have no sense of fear. You should always restrict their movement to a safe space even when you are present.
It may be difficult to restrict your child to the pen once they start walking but you can build a bigger barrier. You can also expand the pen to give them more walking space.
However, you may need to baby proof your house. Once your baby starts walking, they will get into the most intimate of spaces. Remember, too much restriction is detrimental to your baby’s learning process.
It takes time
Just because your child takes their first steps does not mean that they are on their way to running. Contrarily, if they take too long to take their first steps, it does not mean that it will not happen.
Many parents are usually disappointed when they don’t see much progress after their child takes their first steps. It may take as long as six months of training from waddling to taking stable steps.
Therefore, be patient and let it happen naturally. It will all happen in good time.
To conclude, a baby taking their first steps is a monumental accomplishment. The above is only a fraction of what you need to know but is a good starting point. The key is to help your baby develop the confidence to walk on their own.