Children

Baby’s first steps

One of the greatest achievements of a little one in the first year of life is starting to walk on his own. It’s what gives him an unprecedented independence and that, you’ll see, he’ll use in the most impossible ways, forcing you to keep chasing!

It happens very often that new parents are eager to see their child’s new achievements. Comparisons with statistical tables are the order of the day but every child can have different times , give him time to appreciate what he has just assimilated and made of her. He always keeps in mind the old saying “everything in his time”.

When they start walking

Most babies take their first steps between 9 and 12 months but are actually walking by 14-15 months.

So don’t worry if your child takes a little longer to acquire this skill. There are babies who don’t walk before 16-17 months of age.

Preparing for the first steps

The first steps are the result of months and months of motor development.

During his first year of life, the child learns coordination and strengthens his entire muscular system.

First he learns to roll over, then to sit, then to get on all fours, drags himself, crawls and finally gets up thanks to some handhold.

Acquiring balance is not a simple process . And there is also a need for confidence in one’s own possibilities. In fact, it often happens that a fall slows everything down.

Most likely the first few times you will see your child clinging to the sofa, getting up, leaning on it and moving sideways from one end to the other.

The sofa is one of the greatest helpers in its first steps. Then of course there is also the help of mum and dad who support the child in walks from one room to another. Your back won’t be happy about it but luckily it’s a position you won’t have to hold for long. Soon your child will need only one hand, then none and you will see him darting around the house longing for quiet moments!

How they learn to walk

As soon as the baby is born it has an  innate reflex  (which however disappears soon) thanks to which if you hold it by the arms it makes a movement of the legs similar to walking.

His legs are unable to support him and in fact the small child should not be forced to walk in any way .

Around six months if you hold the baby under your arms (without having to bear weight on his legs), you will see that he has a tendency to hop .

Babies love to do this movement, which helps the leg muscles to strengthen along with the usual rolling and crawling attempts.

Around 9 months your baby may be able to stand up with proper handholds . The seat height sofa is the tool of choice.

Once standing another conquest will be to sit back. It’s not a trivial thing! He has to figure out how to bend his knees.

Around 12 months, from an upright position, the child begins to move along the sofa, for example, always using it as a support, then he will move from the sofa to the piece of furniture, from one piece of furniture to another and from one chair to another.

Gradually he acquires more balance and confidence in his possibilities .

He begins to walk well holding your hand, gets up or sits down again to get a toy, feels more and more independent.

Help the child if you see that he is struggling and starts crying. If he’s standing up and can’t sit up, explain to him to bend his knees, accompany him, try to stimulate him to walk towards you with his arms open to welcome him.

The first independent steps very often succeed in this way, with full joy (and tears) of mum and dad.

Always make sure that all these attempts take place in complete safety and that the child is never left alone in his attempts.

Should he use shoes?

Being barefoot allows the child to acquire greater coordination of movements and improves balance.

Shoes should only be used if walking outside, or on very cold or rough surfaces.

From the walk to the jumps, the stages

These guidelines are general so don’t worry if your child doesn’t follow the standards exactly. Talk to your pediatrician if your child at 12 months can’t stand with the help of support and if he can’t walk at 18 months.

Also consider that babies born prematurely may reach this milestone later than their peers.

If a child walks well at 15 months, at 16 he begins to take an interest in stairs . To go up and down the stairs he needs the help of an adult at least up to 2 years of age.

At 18 months he should by now be an expert walker, watch out for climbing on furniture and chairs , he may be able to kick a ball, and you will probably see him dancing in front of the television or listening to the radio.

At 25 or 26 months he should be able to hop.

By the age of 3, the child has acquired all the basic movements that are now natural to him. He walks, runs, jumps without problems.

Only some movements require more attention and coordination: standing on tiptoe or on one foot.

Dr Kathryn Barlow

Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.

Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.

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