How to encourage baby’s first steps—in 10 steps

Article

Oct 26, 2020

5 mins

It can be both thrilling and terrifying watching your baby’s first steps—or at least, attempted steps. Here are a few ways you can help them when they’re learning to walk so they can make that giant leap for toddler-kind!

Tempt them with an interesting toy placed on a sturdy/heavy chair or sofa.
Encourage them to pull themselves up to reach it.
Standing up is often followed by a sudden bottom-plonk back down, so stay close by. (Luckily, nappies provide quite a bit of padding!)
If your baby’s standing confidently holding onto furniture, try holding their hand to see if they’d like to try walking.
Alternatively, you could encourage them to “cruise” along holding on to fixed, stable furniture.
A push-along toy can help them start to move away from furniture.
Smile and give lots of praise and cuddles for all their attempts, successful or not.
When you think they might be ready you can kneel a couple of feet away from them and call them to you, holding out your arms and smiling with encouragement.
Once they’re walking fairly confidently make sure you re-check your home to make it safe from obstacles as well as things that were not in reach before. Have a look out for our baby proofing action plan to ensure you’ve covered all bases. [https://www.babyandme.nestle.co.za/prenatal/baby-proofing-tips]
For ideas to keep them active now they’re mobile, check out our 12-18-month-old’s activity planner.