Walking is one of your baby’s most magical milestones. Mamas are so looking forward to it, they get emotional and feel a sense of pride seeing their precious little ones stand on their own and take their first few steps (literally and figuratively).
On average, babies start walking around their first birthday. Some walk earlier, while it’s a little later for others. But before they achieve this oh-so special moment, they go through several developmental milestones — crawling, sitting, pulling up, standing, and cruising — before they finally learn to walk.
So now that they’ve started exploring on their own two feet, what should you do next, mama? Read on.
1. Childproof your home.
With your little bean now more mobile and moving at a rapid speed, it’s only a must to ensure that they are safe from any possible hazard or injury. There may be corners or even appliances that can pose some dangers to your walking child. Give yourself some peace of mind by childproofing your home.
- Cover all electrical outlets as it can be tempting for children to poke it with their fingers or push something into those tiny holes and this can be extremely dangerous! Also, unplug chargers when they’re not in use as they can grab them easily.
- Put a safety latch or lock on cabinet doors that contain items your child should not have access to, such as medicines, detergents, or dangerous chemicals.
- Keep doors closed and locked so your child cannot enter rooms that may get them into accidents, such as the kitchen or those with big furniture.
- Get your stove knobs covered, especially if your kitchen is within easy access to your child.
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- Block entrances to the stairs by installing a well-locked baby gate.
Make the house safer for your child to explore by getting these childproofing items:
2. Let them walk barefoot at home.
You’re too excited that your child has started walking so you add to cart a cute pair of sandals or sneakers. Hold on, mama!
What about allowing your little one to do more barefoot activities so they can reap its many benefits? According to the Australian Children’s Chiropractic Centre, “Barefoot play enables optimal activation of all the little muscles, ligaments and nerves in a child’s feet. There are so many tiny structures in a child’s foot and the more stimulation the foot, ankle, knee and leg receive in the early months and years of walking the greater these areas are to [strengthen] and work at their best.”
Walking barefoot can help develop your child’s motor skills and improve their posture, balance, and movement. So ditch those shoes and go barefoot for the meantime!
3. You might want to reconsider using a walker.
Did you know that baby walkers are banned in Canada because of injuries related to using them, including falling down the stairs and crashing into something?
The Harvard Health Publishing of the Harvard Medical School advises parents not to use one because “using a walker can delay independent walking. That’s because learning to walk isn’t so much about learning to use your legs. It’s more about learning to pull to stand and then balance and take steps without support.”
These are just recommendations from experts. The debate on whether using walkers is beneficial to children or not continues. So the best thing to do is consult your pediatrician and research well on the pros and cons so you can decide accordingly.
4. Be encouraging.
While your baby has already taken their first steps, they can still be clumsy while mastering more mobility skills such as walking steadily, climbing stairs, kicking, dancing, and more. When they fall a few times, help pick them up and show encouragement. They’ll soon be walking with confidence — thanks to their mama’s loving words and show of support.
