Your baby's first steps
Month 12, week 4
When you notice that your child is "walking" in his playroom,
you can encourage him to walk. But what is the best method?
Take the child by the hand and help him walk long distances. This will
help them improve their balance and become more confident on two legs.
Avoid wheeled walkers; they reduce the desire of the child to learn to
walk, since he can already move around the room. Walkers also greatly increase
the risk of injury even in the presence of adults. This is because they are
unstable and fast and allow babies to reach for things they would normally not
be able to reach. A baby in a walker may fall down stairs, spill hot coffee off
the table, or swallow medicine, coins, or other small items that you think were
out of reach.
Stationary play centers allow toddlers to play safely standing up
without having to move around the room.
Your baby's development this week
Perhaps your baby is taking the first hesitant steps. And they can still
cling to the edge of the coffee table, simply "bypassing" it.
If your child does not walk, but the younger child does, don't worry;
it's completely normal. Although some children walk before their birthday, many
do not start walking for several months. You should not be concerned if your
child is not walking at 18 months.
Here is what they will do along the way:
- They will lean on furniture to stand up and may even let go of it and stand up on their own for a few seconds.
- They will walk around the perimeter of the room, holding on to various pieces of furniture for support.
- They will take one or more steps on their own - towards you or the other parent - before falling.
- They will learn to stand without furniture to support themselves when they fall in the middle of the room.
Month 12, week 4 tips
- Look around at the eye level of your walking child. Upgrade kids' safety to keep up with their new motor skills.
- Make sure your child never uses a walker, including in day care or at a loved one's home.
- Some durable, weighted pusher toys can help your child have fun walking long distances.
- Do not tie your child to the stroller or playpen for too long. You want to give them enough time to practice walking every day.
- Don't worry if your child doesn't walk and you notice that he is standing. Some children are born like this. It usually improves during the first years and does not delay walking.
- Let your baby walk next to the
stroller during his daily walk with you. You
model healthy behavior by being active every day.
- Help your child learn to climb and descend stairs by practicing under close supervision. Then block the security gates at the top and bottom of the stairs to make the stairs closed.