Signs your baby may be about to start walking
You’ll know that your mini-me is close to being able to walk solo if they are…
- pulling up
- cruising around the room on two feet while holding onto objects
- balancing while holding onto something with one hand
- standing on their own
- growing in confidence
- taking steps while holding on to an adult’s hands
- changing their sleeping routine
How to encourage your baby to walk
Although you can’t speed up your baby’s development, you can use the following tips to support your little one on their journey towards solo walking.
Hold their hands
Holding your little one’s hands as they get used to putting one foot in front of the other helps support them. It can also be a lovely way to bond.
Stand back
If your little one can stand up but seems hesitant to step then sit or stand a few steps away from them and try to coax them to walk towards you. You can try holding one of their favourite toys and remember to give them a big smile! Learning to walk should be lots of fun.
Help them stand back up
If they do fall, you can boost your baby's confidence and motivate them to try again by picking them up, cuddling them, and helping them stand and go again.
Give them something to push
Special baby trollies or carts are designed for your little one to push along as they walk forward and can help build their confidence. Just make sure that they're always supervised when using a push-along toy.
Go barefoot indoors
Your baby will be able to balance on safe indoor surfaces just fine without a pair of shoes. They can wear non-slip cotton socks but going barefoot as much as possible is a good way to help their arches develop and build muscle tone.
Wear lightweight shoes when outdoors
Low-top soft shoes are best for babies who are new to walking. Too much ankle support can limit their movement when they’re just getting started. Remember to check their tiny toes have enough room to move.
Be patient
It’s normal for babies to experience a few stops and starts during their development. They may seem to have aced walking, then regress slightly as they start to learn another new skill, like eating finger foods. This is totally normal, so don’t stress and enjoy the ride!
How can I create a safe space for my baby to learn to walk?
While learning to walk is an exciting time for you and your baby, accidents can happen. These tips can help you to baby-proof your home when your baby starts to become more mobile.
- Put stairgates at the top and bottom of the stairs.
- Always supervise your baby when they go up and down the stairs.
- Keep low furniture away from windows and make sure that all windows have locks or safety catches.
- Keep any dangerous objects out of your baby’s reach and add child-proof locks to any cupboards or drawers.
- Secure any free-standing furniture to the wall so that it can’t topple over.
When will my baby need shoes?
To make sure that their feet develop healthily, experts advise that parents don’t buy their baby’s first pair of shoes until they’re walking confidently.
Once they can walk solo, a toddler only really needs to wear their shoes when walking outside. It’s best to choose shoes that have grip, aren’t restrictive on the ankle and are above all comfortable. Flexible soles are recommended when baby is in the cruising stage of learning to walk.
Make sure their feet are measured by a professional and you should check the fit of their shoes regularly.
