We tell you how to help your little one take its first steps.
Each child has a different development depending on their genetics and biological, psychological and social situation. Not all kids meet their development goals at the same time. In fact, one baby takes his first steps before another does not mean that he is more agile. Babies have their own rhythm, and as long as it’s not particularly slow, everything is fine. Hence, times can be so far apart: the little ones usually start to take their first steps leaning on furniture to help them between 8.5 and 13.6 months, while they will be able to do it alone between ten and 18 months.
The important thing is that they go through stages, which is what will indicate that everything is going in order. And these begin around three months of age when they usually hold the head. Later, between six and nine months, they will be able to stay seated, first in a somewhat unstable way and with help, then they will do it alone. Later, between seven and 11 months, they will be able to stand with support. A percentage of children then go through the crawling phase, which usually occurs around nine or ten months. After a few weeks, they will stand without support for more than ten seconds and, finally, they will be able to take their first steps as true champions.
Warning signs
Very rarely, there may be a problem that prevents the child from walking. To detect it, pediatricians usually notice three warning signs:
1. Absence of good vertical head control at five months: the baby is not able to hold his head when he is in an upright position.
2. At ten months you cannot sit without help.
3. Absence of autonomous gait at 18 months: the child is already a year and a half old and has not yet walked. However, finding an alert sign in a child does not necessarily imply abnormal development. It may be a variant of normality, a transitory sign or a reactive aspect of the child in an inappropriate environment or a difficult situation for him, which disappears when the environment changes or when the child matures. In any case, if we are in any of these cases, it is advisable to visit the specialist to make an assessment.
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Encourage him to take his first steps
Don’t force your baby to walk, there is no rush. Stimulate their motor development and thus you will detect that everything is going well:
1. Put the baby on its tummy if it is awake.
2. Place the child on his back, take both hands and pull him up to sit . The exercise is performed without holding the head so that it learns to also exercise the muscles in that area.
3. As soon as you begin to stay seated (even if it is unstable) you can help to be comfortable by surrounding yourself with cushions so that you feel safe in this position and avoid accidents.
4. When he is able to walk with support, take walks around the house giving him both hands first and then only one.