Most toddlers begin walking between 12 and 15 months, but this milestone can happen any time between 9 and 12 months. [1] X Expert Source Jessie DavidsonChild Care Specialist Expert Interview. 7 July 2021. Babies will have a step reflex between birth and 2 months. They will move their legs in a walking motion when held upright with their feet on a hard surface. This fades after 2 months. At 3-4 months, children will begin lifting their upper body when lying on their stomach. 5 months brings bouncing while held in a standing position as well as beginning to support themselves by leaning forward on their arms when seated. Children learn to sit unsupported between 6 and 9 months, and beginning crawling between 7 and 10 months. They will be able to stand if positioned where they can hold onto something like a table or chair, and begin “cruising,” or scooting their feet as they move along the edge of their support. Pulling up into a standing position occurs between 9 and 12 months.
Give your child some “tummy time. ” Place your child on the floor on his stomach for about 10 minutes at a time. Encourage your child to push up and propel his or herself forward by placing toys or treats just out of the child’s reach. [3] X Research source Try lying your child on his or her back on a balance ball and assisting the child in sit-ups. Lie the child on their back, keeping a good grip so they don’t fall. Tickle the baby’s tummy and help bend the child back up into a sitting position on the ball. [4] X Research source Hold your child in a standing position on a bouncy surface, like a balance ball, trampoline or soft bed. Holding the baby around the rib cage, lift them slightly off the surface and lower them back down, encouraging them to bounce and strengthen their leg muscles.
Hypotonia, sometimes referred to as “floppy infant,” is a decrease in muscle tone. There can be several causes of hypotonia, and it is best to check with your doctor for testing. [6] X Research source Hypertonia is a stiffness in the muscles on either one or both sides of the body from increased muscle tone. This tends to appear around 2 to 3 months. [7] X Research source Other causes can be related to delayed development. Consult your doctor to determine what may be hindering your toddler.
Bring notes listing your child’s timeline and marking their developmental milestones. Be prepared to talk about family medical history, anything you have noticed which has caused concern, and play patterns. Keep a daily record of your child’s activities, diet and behavior for 2 weeks prior to the visit to see if you can notice any patterns. Consider sending your daily notes and a letter explaining your concerns prior to the visit and asking your pediatrician to look over them before the appointment to prepare for the conversation.
Early intervention is more effective and less costly than addressing delays which have persisted. [9] X Research source If your child has been diagnosed with a delay, begin intervention early for the most positive outcomes and quick results.
Entice them with games, toys and treats. Celebrate their attempts at walking. Don’t try to make them walk when they don’t want to. This could create further resistance to walking.
Start by supporting the toddler at the ribs as you encourage them to take steps, then move to supporting them at their hips to encourage core strength. Once they are ready to walk on their own, only support them by holding their hands. Do your best not to raise your baby’s hands above their head, because then they aren’t truly balancing on their own and learning how to walk independently. [15] X Expert Source Jessie DavidsonChild Care Specialist Expert Interview. 7 July 2021. As they become more comfortable, just have a hand stretched toward them, to signify to the toddler that you will catch them if they tumble.
Make a path with furniture. Line chairs along the wall to give the toddler something to hold on to. Make sure that the furniture is steady, can support the toddler and won’t slide. Also avoid any furniture with sharp edges. Eventually you can increase the distance between the pieces of furniture, requiring your toddler to take steps on their own to get from one piece to the next. Don’t overreact when your toddler falls. If you do, it could scare them.
Place the chair with the treat near the furniture they are using for support, but far enough away that they will need to take some steps on their own in order to reach it. You can also give them another person to walk toward.
Once your child begins to walk, they may get very excited and move quickly into a run. Have a camera ready each time you have your toddler practice walking so you’re ready to capture the special moment when they walk on their own!
Just 24 hours of using a walker can result in delays in excess of 3 days for walking and standing on their own. [19] X Research source Walkers allow the toddler to move at a faster speed than normal, as well as giving them access to things they would not normally be able to reach. Canada considers the use of walkers so dangerous, that they banned them in 2004.
Strap the padded vest around the toddler’s ribs. Hold a loop in each hand above each of the toddler’s shoulders. Pulling up slightly to give the toddler support, begin moving them forward one step at a time.
Find a toy which is heavy enough to support your toddler and has a wide base for balance. Start with a push toy. This will be easier for them to use and encourage them to move forward while looking straight ahead. Consider a toy which is a miniature version of something your toddler has seen you use, like a mini shopping cart full of toys. Pull toys, like wagons, are more complicated and can tempt the toddler to look behind them instead of where they are going. Make sure their path is cleared of obstacles.
