How to support baby walking...

As we reach the end of #Nationalwalkingmonth this year I had promised I would link all the information about supporting your babies first steps back to how you can help support your baby from as little as 10 weeks gain the skills that they need for walking and how baby massage and yoga can support this.

If you haven’t got to know me yet, I will say I’m a bit of a geek and I do love to give you a bit of research to support what I am saying.

Walking is a huge milestone in your baby’s development, marking the transition from baby to toddler. Those first steps are made possible when your baby can coordinate several physical and cognitive skills.  As a parent it’s natural that you would want to support this crucial stage and make sure that your baby has both strong, healthy muscles and the confidence to take that first step.

3 Key areas that are essential for walking are: -

Muscles Strength and coordination

Babies need to build enough strength and coordination in their muscles to pull themselves up and propel themselves forward. This starts with lifting their heads, rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and pulling themselves up to stand.

Balance and Stability

As babies experiment with standing and cruising, they learn to balance their weight and stabilise themselves which is essential for walking.

Cognitive understanding

Cognitive is just a fancy word for what’s going on in your baby’s brain. Your baby needs to understand special awareness and the concept of movement which they develop through watching and practicing. This starts with understanding where the parts of their own body are.

So this is the bit of juicy research I’m really excited to share with you –

Studies at Lancaster university have shown that infants who have

experienced the ‘walking reflex’ which is a primitive instinct could

recognise this motion and were more likely to attempt to recreate

the action than those who had little or no previous experience of

this action.  

This essentially meant that babies can understand walking more

if they have previous experience of it and are more likely to attempt

to walk as they have a deeper understanding of the process.

How can baby massage and baby yoga support this?

Baby massage and baby yoga can support your baby’s physical and emotional development, preparing them for walking.

It can help by: -

Enhance muscles tone, making it easier to achieve motor milestones!

Improve circulation which is essential for muscle growth and recovery!

Increase flexibility helping them to move more freely and confidently.

Reduce stress and promote relaxation which supports overall development and wellbeing.

Encouraging your baby to walk

Your baby will ultimately take their first steps in their own time when they are physically able to and have the confidence to do so. Until that time you can support your baby’s overall development and provide your baby with opportunities to practice and refine the skills required.

Here are 5 things you can do from as little as 10 weeks to support this.

1. Practice baby massage and baby yoga.
2. Allow baby to feel their feet and experience the walking reflex as much as possible.
3. Help baby learn where the parts of their body are. Try singing head, shoulders, knees and toes.
4. Encourage tummy time to strengthen your baby’s neck, shoulders, arm and back muscles.
5. Be patient and celebrate small successes. Your positive reinforcement can boost your baby’s confidence.

You now know the development processes and practices that can give your baby the strength and confidence that they need to take their first steps. By supporting your baby in this way you are helping them to achieve this walking milestone. Please remember that each baby will progress at their own pace and when carrying out any of the above, make sure you are allowing your baby to take the lead.

If you would like more ideas how to support your baby achieve these walking milestones, join my Mothers Insights Facebook Group. 

Enjoy this special time you are creating to be with your baby and celebrate each milestone along the way!

With Love,

Leanne x

Research link: Insight into how infants learn to walk | Lancaster University