Home Life Stage Guides Postnatal

Tips to Encourage Walking

  • Tummy Time First - Encourage tummy time to build core and arm strength, which are crucial for walking.
  • Barefoot at Home - Allow your baby to walk barefoot or with non-slip socks to improve balance and coordination.
  • Create a Safe Space - Ensure your home is baby-proofed, with plenty of open space for exploration.
  • Encourage Cruising - Place sturdy furniture within reach to promote cruising and help build leg strength.
  • Use Push Toys - Introduce push toys that help with stability and motivate your baby to move.

Each step to look out for.

Learning to walk is a huge milestone in your baby's development. As a parent, it's such an exciting journey to watch your little one progress from rolling to taking those first wobbly steps!

Understanding the stages of getting them on their feet can help you provide the right support and encouragement at each phase. This guide covers the key stages of learning to walk, offering insights into rolling, crawling, cruising, and the magical moment of your baby's first steps.

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Rolling is often the first major movement milestone that babies achieve. It usually starts around four to six months, and it's an essential step towards crawling and walking in future months. Aside from letting them move around more, rolling helps your little one develop the muscles and coordination needed for more advanced movements.

  1. What to Expect: Initially, your baby may start by rolling from their tummy to their back. As they gain strength and coordination, they'll begin to roll back again, from their back to their tummy. Each baby develops at their own pace, so it's normal if this stage takes some time, or if they're stuck only being able to roll one way for a while. Try to be on hand to roll them back over when they get stuck and frustrated!
  2. How to Encourage Rolling: Placing toys just out of reach is a great way to motivate your little one to roll towards them. Offer plenty of supervised tummy time, which strengthens the muscles needed for rolling. And, as always, ensure the environment is safe, removing any potential hazards or sharp edges they could roll into.
  3. When to Be Concerned: If your baby hasn't shown any signs of rolling by six or seven months, it might be time to speak to your health visitor or GP. While some babies skip rolling and move straight to other forms of movement, and it's probably nothing to worry about, it's important to rule out any developmental issues.

Once they've mastered rolling, they'll soon be on the road to crawling! Crawling typically begins between six and ten months and is a crucial stage for developing strength, coordination, and balance. There are various styles of crawling, and each baby may have their unique approach.

  1. Types of Crawling: Classic hands-and-knees crawling is the most common, but some babies may prefer the army crawl, scooting on their bottom, or rolling to get around. All these methods are perfectly normal and help develop your baby's motor skills.
  2. Encouraging Crawling: Create a safe, open space for your baby to explore. Use toys to entice them to move. Crawling through tunnels or over cushions can make it a fun activity that promotes muscle development and coordination. Before they're actually moving anywhere, it's common for your little one to rock back and forth on all fours. Encourage this movement, as it's great for developing their balance and getting on the move.
  3. Crawling Concerns: If your baby isn't showing interest in moving by 12 months, it might be worth discussing with your GP. While some babies go straight to walking, consistent lack of movement could indicate an underlying issue that needs attention, so it's good to rule anything out.

If you don’t know what cruising is, it’s basically your baby holding onto furniture or other objects to move around. It’s a key stage that usually begins between eight and twelve months, helping your baby develop the balance and strength needed for independent walking.

Your baby will start pulling themselves up to a standing position and then begin to move sideways while holding onto furniture. This activity builds the leg muscles and coordination necessary for walking.

Make sure to place sturdy and safe furniture within your baby’s reach to encourage cruising. Safety is key, so ensure furniture is secured to the walls or sturdy enough and won’t tip over. You can also use push toys designed for early walkers to provide additional support.

If your baby is cruising and pulling up but seems hesitant to take independent steps by 18 months, it might be helpful to speak with your GP. Each child develops at their own pace, but it’s important to ensure they’re progressing steadily.

The moment your baby takes their first independent steps is one of the most exciting stages of early parent life! Typically, this milestone occurs between nine and eighteen months. These first steps are often unsteady and short-lived but mark the beginning of a new level of mobility and independence.

Initially, your baby might take just one or two steps before falling. With practice, they'll gain confidence and coordination, gradually increasing the number of steps they can take independently. They're often taken when two parents or loved ones are sat on the floor, one of you is holding the baby upright, and the other one calls and encourages them to step towards them.

Cheer them on as much as possible, and always provide a safe environment for practice. Use gentle guidance and plenty of praise to boost their confidence.

If your baby isn't walking after 18 months, it's a good idea to speak to your GP to rule out any developmental issues. Some children may take a little longer, but it's important to ensure they're developing as expected.

How to support your little one.

Preparing your baby for their first steps involves more than just them being physically ready. It's about creating a safe environment, recognising the signs of readiness, and knowing how to encourage your baby in this new adventure. Here are some tips to prepare for your baby's walking journey, ensuring they have the best possible start.

Creating a safe environment is crucial for your baby’s walking development. As your baby becomes more mobile, ensuring their surroundings are secure can prevent accidents and give them the confidence to explore.

  1. Baby-Proofing Tips: Start by securing heavy furniture to the walls to prevent tipping. Cover any sharp corners and edges with padding. Install safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs and ensure that small objects and choking hazards are always kept out of reach. Here’s a complete guide to baby proofing your bathroom.
  2. Safe Play Areas: Designate a safe play area where your baby can practise standing and walking. Use foam mats or soft carpeting to cushion any falls. Keep this area free of clutter to reduce the risk of trips and falls.
  3. Supervision and Independence: While it’s important to supervise your baby, you should also allow them some independence to explore and learn. Encourage them to move and stand on their own, offering support when needed but not holding them constantly. It can be hard to let go when it seems like they’re going to fall, but as long as they’re in a safe environment, it’s all part of the process!         

Understanding the signs that your baby is ready to walk can help you support them at the right time. Look for these indicators to know when your baby is preparing to take their first steps.

  1. Physical Signs: Your baby may start pulling themselves up to stand and cruising along furniture. They might also begin to stand momentarily without support. Increased coordination and balance are key signs of readiness.
  2. Behavioural Signs: Notice if your baby shows a strong desire to move and explore, even if it's areas they're already used to. They may seem frustrated by their current mode of movement and eager to try new things. This curiosity is a good indicator that they're ready to walk.
  3. Encouraging Readiness: Encourage standing and walking by offering toys and activities that promote movement. Praise their efforts and provide plenty of opportunities for practice. Be patient and supportive, but always understanding that each baby reaches this milestone at their own pace.

Encouraging your baby to walk involves a mix of motivation, practice, and support. Here's how you can help them along their walking journey.

  1. Motivation Through Play: Use toys and games to motivate your baby to stand and take steps. Place toys just out of reach to encourage them to move and grab them. Or, games like 'follow the leader' can make walking fun and engaging!
  2. Practice Makes Perfect: Give your baby ample opportunities to practise walking. Short, frequent practice sessions are more effective than longer, infrequent ones. Encourage barefoot walking at home to help them develop balance and strength.
  3. Support and Reassurance: Offer plenty of praise and positive reinforcement as they move, even if they haven't quite mastered it yet! Hold their hands as they practice walking, gradually reducing the support as they gain confidence. Be patient and celebrate every small step they take towards independent walking.

Make sure your little one's walking journey gets off on the right foot.

Ensuring your baby develops good walking practices is key for their overall growth and safety, and it’s something to keep an eye on. This section provides guidance on whether your baby needs shoes, the benefits and drawbacks of walker toys, and when to consult a doctor about your baby’s walking development.

Shoes play an important role in protecting your baby’s feet, but they’re not necessary when learning to walk. Walking barefoot helps your baby develop balance, strength, and coordination. At home, let your baby walk barefoot or with non-slip socks to encourage natural foot movement.

When your baby does start walking outdoors, and when it's safe for them to do so, choose lightweight, flexible shoes that protect their feet while allowing natural movement. Look for shoes with non-slip soles, breathable materials, and a good fit.

Remove to use shoes primarily for outdoor walking or in environments where foot protection is necessary. Indoors, barefoot walking is best for developing strong, healthy feet. Here’s a quick guide to baby shoes.

Walker toys are popular for helping babies learn to walk, but they aren’t always praised by parents and doctors. Understanding these can help you decide whether to use walker toys for your baby.

Push toys and stationary activity centres that don’t see the baby sat in them can support walking by providing stability and encouraging movement. They can help build strength and confidence as your baby practices walking.

Try to opt for stationary activity centres or push toys that your baby can use while standing and walking. These provide support without the risks associated with mobile walkers.

Knowing when to seek medical advice on your little one’s movement is key for ensuring your baby’s healthy development. While each baby develops at their own pace, certain signs may indicate the need for professional guidance.

If your baby isn’t walking by 18 months, it’s a good idea to consult your GP. Early intervention can address any underlying issues and support your baby’s development.

If your baby shows unusual movement patterns, such as favouring one side, excessive stiffness, or lack of coordination, discuss these with your GP. These could be signs of developmental concerns, so it’s always good to mention them.

Remember that regular health checks with your GP or health visitor can help monitor your baby’s development and address any concerns early on. Don’t hesitate to seek advice or book in to see your GP if you have any worries about your baby’s walking progress.
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The information on the Your Baby Club website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always discuss any health concerns with a qualified healthcare provider and carefully review all guidance that comes with any medications or supplements before taking.