best advice and tips to help new parents teach their baby to walk 2023

first step

best advice and tips 

As a new parent, watching your baby take their first steps is a momentous occasion. However, teaching your baby to walk can be a daunting task.

 Babies typically begin to walk around their first year, but some may start earlier or later. Each baby develops at their own pace, so it is important not to compare your child's progress to that of others. With patience, encouragement, and support, you can help your baby take their first steps confidently and safely.

 In this blog, we'll provide some advice and tips to help new parents teach their baby to walk.

Encourage Crawling

Before your baby can walk, they need to learn to crawl. Crawling helps to build strength in their arms and legs and improve their balance.

 Encourage your baby to crawl by creating a safe and open space for them to move around in. Remove any obstacles or hazards that may be in their way. Get down on the floor with your baby and play with them to encourage crawling. 

Place toys and objects just out of their reach to encourage them to move towards them. Crawling is an important developmental stage, and it prepares your baby for walking.

Support Standing

As your baby starts to pull themselves up to a standing position, give them support by holding their hands or placing them against a sturdy object, like a couch or table.

 This will help them to get comfortable with being upright and build strength in their legs. Encourage your baby to stand and play while holding onto a support. You can also place toys or objects on a low surface, like a coffee table or ottoman, to encourage them to stand and play independently.

Practice Walking

Once your baby is comfortable standing with support, encourage them to take steps by holding their hands and walking with them. You can also use a push walker or activity centre to help your baby practice walking and build their confidence.

 A push walker is a wheeled device with a handle that your baby can hold onto and push around. An activity centre is a stationary device with various toys and activities that your baby can play with while standing. 

Both devices can help your baby practice walking and improve their balance and coordination.

Praise and Motivation

When your baby takes their first steps, make sure to praise and encourage them. 

Celebrate their success by clapping and cheering them on. Offer motivation by placing toys or objects just out of their reach to encourage them to take steps towards them. 

You can also play games with your baby, like "catch me if you can," to encourage them to walk towards you. Praise and motivation can help build your baby's confidence and encourage them to take more steps.

Be Patient and Supportive

Remember that every baby develops at their own pace, and it may take time for your baby to take their first steps. Be patient and supportive, and don't push your baby too hard. Let your baby develop at their own pace and celebrate their progress along the way. 

Offer support and encouragement throughout the process, and don't get discouraged if your baby takes longer to start walking than other babies 

Safety Precautions

As your baby learns to walk, it is important to take safety precautions to prevent falls and injuries. Keep a close eye on your baby when they are walking and make sure that they are in a safe and secure environment. 

Remove any hazards or sharp objects that your baby may trip or fall on. Use safety gates to block off stairs and other dangerous areas.

 Consider using non-slip socks or shoes with grip to help prevent slips and falls. Remember, safety should always be a top priority when teaching your baby to walk.

Conclusion

Teaching your baby to walk takes patience, encouragement, and support. By creating a safe and open space, encouraging crawling, providing support for standing, practicing walking, offering praise and motivation, and taking safety precautions, you can help your baby take their first steps and celebrate this exciting milestone together. 

Remember that every baby develops at their own pace, and it is important not to compare your baby's progress to that of others. With your love and support, your baby will soon be walking confidently on their own.