Research-backed
Image: Shutterstock
A baby’s life is full of major milestones – their first words, their first solid meal, and their first steps. As a mom, it’s natural for you to be super eager to experience these moments and even try tips and tricks to make them happen sooner! Luckily, out of all these major milestones, you can aid the happening of one quicker, and that is walking.
A baby starts crawling between seven and nine months (1) and takes the first step between 10 and 12 months (2). While you cannot rush this process per se, you can do certain things to encourage your baby to take their first step. These are:
1. Help them crawl
Image: Shutterstock
Once your baby learns to sit, they figure out that they can use their knees and palms to crawl. This is the first step to walking, and you, as a mommy, can help your toddler crawl along like a little cricket! One of the best ways to encourage your child to crawl is to put them on the bed and place a toy a couple of feet away from them. This will encourage the child to come and get it. Make sure you’re supervising the whole thing and allow your child to lie on their tummy as it will help them strengthen their muscles (3).
2. Teach them how to stand up
Image: Shutterstock
Now that your baby is crawling around like a merry little thing, they’ll get more excited to explore further and try to stand. You can aid in this process too by holding your child in the standing posture so that your baby can feel their weight on their tiny feet. Another thing you can do to help your baby stretch their legs is prop them up in front of a low table or couch and place a toy on it for them to reach. Now hold your baby by the hips and move their hip forward as the child tries to reach up and grab the toy.
After this exercise, you will also need to show your baby how to sit back down as they may not be able to do so, on their own. To help your baby sit, bend their knees gently so that they can understand how to do it on their own (4).
3. Get them cruising along
Image: Shutterstock
Cruising is when your baby tries to walk sideways by holding on to furniture for support. This activity can help your baby become strong enough to walk and even teaches them balance. As your baby tries to cruise, motivate them to take a couple of extra steps by placing a toy a couple of feet away, but not too far, so that the baby feels motivated to step ahead.
4. Walk with your baby
Image: Shutterstock
Gradually, your baby will move on from cruising and will try to walk without support. Even though your child’s first step will be wobbly and they may trip and fall, you can help them walk with confidence by lending support. Hold your baby’s hand when they try to walk, taking small steps with them until they feel confident enough to walk on their own. If your baby falls, go and soothe them immediately as the TLC can go a long way in boosting their confidence.
Apart from encouraging and motivating your baby, you need to do a couple of other things too so your baby can turn into a happy little sprinter. These include baby-proofing your home, showering your baby with appreciation, giving them daily massages and not using a baby walker (5).
Just keep a positive attitude and a safe and encouraging environment at home for your baby, and you’ll find yourself making videos of their first trot.
