From One Mother to Another: Expert Advice on Encouraging Your Baby's First Steps

Watching your baby grow and hit new milestones is exciting. There's nothing that quite compares to the anticipation of those first steps. It's a major milestone in your child’s motor development! It marks their journey from being stationary to exploring the world independently. But like all milestones, babies reach this one on their timeline.

The truth is, there’s no rush! Your baby is developing at their own pace, and those first steps will happen when they’re ready. However, there are things you can do to help your little one along the way. From creating a safe space at home to encouraging pre-walking milestones like cruising, we’ll explore expert tips to help guide your baby toward their first independent steps.

When Do Babies Typically Start Walking?

One of the biggest questions parents often ask is, “When will my baby start walking?” The answer varies widely. While many babies take their first steps between 10 and 18 months, every child develops at their own pace.

How to Prepare Your Home for a New Walker

As your baby becomes more mobile, it’s time to create a safe space for them to explore and practice walking. A baby-proofed environment helps prevent accidents! It also gives your little one the freedom to move without constant redirection.

Start by setting up a designated “yes space,” an area where your baby can move around freely and safely. This space should be clear of sharp corners, unstable furniture, and small objects that could become choking hazards. Many parents use their living room or nursery for this purpose, but even a hallway or larger playpen can work if space is limited. The idea is to let your baby explore without needing to hear “no” all the time.

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Secure heavy furniture: Bookcases, TVs, and other large items should be securely fastened to the wall to avoid tipping.
2. Clear walking paths: Create open areas for your baby to practice walking without tripping hazards like rugs, cords, or toys.
   
3. Cover sharp edges: Invest in corner guards for coffee tables or other furniture that could pose a risk if your baby falls.
   
4. Use baby gates: Block off stairways and areas that aren’t baby-proofed to keep them safely in their “yes space.”
   

Dress Your Baby to Encourage Walking

Support Pre-Walking Milestones

Before your baby starts walking, they’ll practice important skills like cruising. Cruising is when babies walk by holding onto furniture or other stable objects for support. Encouraging these pre-walking movements helps them build strength and coordination.

• Encourage Cruising: Create a safe space for your baby to cruise along furniture. Motivate them to move in both directions to build balanced strength.
• Cruise Along the Wall: Up the challenge by encouraging your baby to cruise along a wall. Place sticky notes or small items on the wall for them to grab as they move. Turn it into a game for them to have fun with!
• Incorporate Obstacles: Leave soft toys along their path to encourage squatting and picking them up. This can strengthen their legs and improve balance.

Hold Your Baby's Hand While They Learn!

It’s natural for babies to need a little extra support as they take those first steps. Holding their hands while they walk can boost confidence.

However, only hold them at shoulder height rather than above their head. This helps them practice the natural forward weight shift they'll need to walk on their own.

One way to start is by offering both hands. As your baby gets more steady, transition to one hand or even eventually a single finger for support. Gradually, they won't need Mom or Dad's help anymore.

3 Tips to Encourage Independent Walking

Once your baby is cruising confidently and taking assisted steps, it’s time to encourage those first independent strides. Here are three simple ways to help your baby let go and take those first real steps.

• Change the Environment: A new space can spark your baby's curiosity and motive them to explore. Taking them to a park or a new room might be the push they need to take those first steps.
• Give Them a Toy to Hold: Some babies feel more secure holding onto something. Giving them a small toy can provide comfort and confidence as they take their first independent steps.
• Move Furniture Apart: If your baby is cruising comfortably, try moving the furniture slightly further apart. This may encourage them to take a step or two on their own to reach the next piece of furniture.

Embrace the Learning Process

As your baby transitions from crawling to walking, remember that every child develops at their own pace. It’s perfectly normal for them to alternate between crawling and walking as they gain confidence. In the early stages, their steps might look wobbly, and there will be plenty of falls along the way. That’s all part of the process!

Give your baby the space and time to practice, and celebrate each milestone—no matter how small. With your support, they’ll be walking confidently before you know it.

Bam & Stitch
Made by Moms, for Moms.