Helping Your Baby Learn to Walk: Tips and Tricks

Ways To Help Your Baby Learn To Walk

<p>Parents of new-borns will always do everything in their control to provide their baby with the best possible atmosphere to grow. They want their <a href="https://www.megawecare.com/good-health-by-yourself/child-health/healthy-fats-for-infants">baby to be healthy</a> as well as mentally strong and want the baby to learn and understand <a href="https://www.megawecare.com/good-health-by-yourself/child-health/solid-foods-for-newborns">everything as fast</a> as it can.</p><p>There are some ways to help your baby learn to walk that parents should be mindful about. They want the baby to walk, talk and be active as early as possible, and to do that, physical activity plays a very important role in not only the physical development but also, the mental development of the baby. How to help your baby learn to walk is a big task as far as parenting is concerned. There are several ways to help a baby learn to walk. Read on to know more.</p><p>How to help your baby learn to walk is a big task as far as parenting is concerned. There are several ways to help a baby learn to walk. Read on to know more.</p><h2 id="Benefits">Benefits of physical activity for kids</h2><p>Babies are born with weak muscles and bones. In their early years, it is very important that you help them promote their muscular development. According to pediatricians, parents need to help babies build flexibility, coordination, and strength with some age-appropriate routines and activities. This will help them walk sooner and with more confidence.</p><p>Regular exercise may also do more than help your kids stay lean and fight off diseases. Kids with better motor skills tend to be more active. Being physically active every day is important for the healthy growth and development of babies and toddlers.</p><p>Healthy muscles and bones are an indicator of overall health. If the baby has good muscular strength and healthy bones, chances are they will also learn to crawl, walk, and run about faster.</p><p>You must be wondering about the tips to get your baby or toddler walking or how to teach your baby to walk. The next section has more.</p><h2 id="Exercisesfornewborns">Exercises for newborns and infants (0-12 months)</h2><p>Babies should be encouraged to be active throughout the day, every day in a variety of ways, including crawling.</p><p>If they're not yet crawling, encourage them to be physically active by reaching and grasping, pulling and pushing, and moving their head, body, and limbs during daily routines, and during supervised floor play.</p><p>Try to include at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day when they're awake. Once babies can move around, encourage them to be as active as possible in a safe and supervised play environment.</p><h2 id="Exercisesfortoddlers">Exercises for toddlers (12–36 months)</h2><p>Toddlers should be physically active every day for at least 180 minutes (three hours). The more the better. This should be spread throughout the day, including playing outdoors.</p><p>The 180 minutes can include light activities such as standing up, moving around, rolling, and playing, as well as a more energetic activity like skipping, hopping, running, and jumping.</p><p>Active play, such as using a climbing frame, playing in the water, chasing games, and ball games, is the best way for this age group to get moving.</p><h2 id="CoreStrengthening">Core-strengthening exercises for babies</h2><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="lozad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/cdn.megawecare.com/Internal-Images/6AXLu3AEY4HHEfGFYVgBJ2qKySzMmphzITQ7G5Va.webp" alt="Core-strengthening exercises for babies"></p><h3>Give your baby tummy time</h3><p><strong>Age:</strong> 0 months onwards</p><p>This is the most common of all trunk-strengthening exercises for babies suggested by pediatricians. Simply put your newborn on his tummy after every feeding. This act builds the core muscles of your baby’s tummy. There are many variations to this, such as:</p><ul><li>Place your baby on a blanket so he can also get some floor-time and explore his surroundings.</li><li>Place your baby on your tummy between your knees. This also helps the baby to release trapped gas.</li><li>Place your baby on daddy’s tummy! This is a fun and very useful variation of tummy time that can be done after you’ve breastfed the baby, or in the evening time before bed. This also strengthens the emotional bond between the father and baby.</li></ul><p><strong>Tip:</strong> Remember that whenever your child is not lying on the back, he is working on increasing his head control and neck strength.</p><p>So, minimize their lying down time after your child is two to three months old and make sure that your baby is getting exposure to enough physical activity.</p><h3>Help your baby sit up</h3><p><strong>Age:</strong> 4 months (or when a baby is able to support her head)</p><p>Place a blanket on the bed and then place the baby on it. Then, hold the blanket on each side slightly above the head, with your baby in the middle of your arms. Slowly lift the blanket so your baby comes to a sitting position, then lower it back down again. This is a very simple and safe exercise to help your baby gain upper body strength.</p><p>Teach this exercise to your baby:</p><ul><li>This little core exercise really helps babies as they start crawling, standing, and walking.</li><li>Lay your baby down and let him pull himself up and put him back down.</li><li>Let your baby lead this exercise as it strengthens his core.</li><li>After doing this exercise, a baby gets better at sitting up.</li><li>Daily exercise also helps babies sleep better and stay happier all day!</li></ul><h3 id="OtherExercises">Other Exercises</h3><p><strong>1. Bicycle Motion</strong></p><p><strong>Age: </strong>0 months onwards</p><p>Your little one’s leg development is also a key area of concern, especially as the leg muscles help determine how soon he/she will be able to crawl and walk. Pediatricians recommend the following baby leg strengthening exercise to develop your baby’s leg muscles:</p><p>Lay the baby on his back and gently hold his ankles. Slowly move his legs in a circular motion, like he is pedaling a bicycle. You can go for four to five movements at a stretch of time. Then, give your baby a break for a couple of minutes and continue.</p><p>Did you know? Bicycle legs is among the best ways to relieve your baby’s gas! Pediatricians say that when your baby is practicing bicycle legs, the movement helps release bubbles from his stomach and move them through the intestines. This way, your baby can pass these bubbles naturally and not face any gas pain.</p><p>When to do this? Check if your baby’s stomach feels hard and bloated. He may be gassy, and this exercise will soothe him.</p><p>If your baby resists and does not want to have you pedal his legs, don’t force him.</p><p><strong>2. Do Some Dancing!</strong></p><p><strong>Age:</strong> 0 months onwards</p><p>Babies like to be moved around and held up on their toes. As per doctors, this toe and foot motion is excellent for their leg muscle development.</p><p>Simply hold your baby gently under his armpits and touch his toes on the ground. Since you are now supporting most of his weight, let him balance gently. Notice that your baby will often kick, which will make it look like he is dancing.</p><p><strong>Note:</strong> Be sure to give your baby extra support as he finds it very difficult to stand up now. It is not recommended to practice this exercise for a prolonged duration as the little one will get tired.</p><p><strong>3. Help Your Baby Pick Up/Lift Objects</strong></p><p><strong>Age:</strong> 4–6 months</p><p>Doctors suggest that picking up objects is a good way to build your baby’s grasping ability and hand–eye coordination, as well as muscular strength.</p><p>Make your baby sit in a high chair or bouncy seat. Now place some toys or household items in front of your baby. Encourage them to lift one, examine it, put it down, and then lift it (or another object) again. You may have to show them how to do this a few times, but most babies learn very quickly and enjoy this exercise a lot!</p><h2 id="Gasproblems">Exercises for Gas problems in Babies</h2><p>If your baby is having painful gas, here are five tricks that should help her feel better:</p><h3>Move Those Little Legs</h3><p>If your baby is lying on his back, gently move the legs back and forth to imitate riding a bicycle. This exercise helps with intestinal motion and can expel trapped gas. You can also bend his legs and gently push the knees up towards the tummy. If he’s on his tummy, you can help ease him into Child’s Pose (just like in yoga) and that motion will have the same effect.</p><h3>A Gentle Tummy Rub</h3><p>Baby massage is a method nurses use to soothe infants who suffer from gas bubbles. Lay your baby down on the back, then start rubbing his tummy in a circular motion. By rubbing the tummy in a circular motion, you’re triggering activity in the abdomen that can help him pass those trapped gas bubbles.</p><h3>Baby Burping</h3><p>Of course, the best go-to for any fussy baby is to burp them. Sometimes one good burp will do the trick. It may not happen right away, so burp him, lie him down for a few minutes, then gently pick him up and try again. Keep giving tummy time a try.</p><h2>Infant Massage</h2><p>Infant massage is a way to gently nurture and spend time with your baby.</p><p>Massage is one age-old trick that never fails. The benefits of an oil massage are now well accepted by doctors, and it can definitely help make your baby’s muscles and bones stronger.</p><p>You can start massaging your baby’s body early—as early as a week or two old. There are a few movements/exercises that you should do as part of baby massage in order to build the baby’s strength:</p><ul><li>Hold your baby’s wrists and lift the baby off the massage table. This exercise helps the development of the cervical spine.</li><li>Place your baby on the tummy, his knees spread apart but his feet together. Press the baby’s feet with your thumbs. Your baby will try to push himself forward. This exercise is very useful for leg muscle development.</li><li>After the massage, keep your palm on the baby’s chest and press lightly. This helps eliminate congestion from the lungs and increases ventilation, both of which are good for overall respiratory strength.</li></ul><p><strong>Note:</strong> Make sure you do NOT use rigorous or high-pressure strokes. Only a gentle massage using skin-friendly baby oil is beneficial for your baby’s improved blood circulation, and in turn, bodily strength.</p><h2 id="infantMassages">Benefits of Infant Massage</h2><p>Research suggests that infant massage can have various health benefits. For example, infant massage might:</p><p style="text-align:center;"><img class="lozad" src="https://s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/cdn.megawecare.com/Internal-Images/EiC8sHdwwmiQelm2K2smKLtc32utFGkCoWNPUsHV.webp" alt="Benefits of Infant Massage"></p><ul><li>Encourage interaction between you and your baby</li><li>Help your baby relax and sleep</li><li>Positively affect infant hormones that control stress</li><li>Reduce crying</li></ul><p>Some studies also suggest that infant massage involving moderate pressure might promote growth for premature babies.</p><h3>How do I massage my baby</h3><p>Infant massage involves a little preparation and some basic techniques. To get started:</p><ul><li><strong>Create a calm atmosphere:</strong> If possible, do the massage in a warm, quiet place—indoors or outdoors. Sit comfortably on the floor or a bed or stand in front of the changing table and position your baby on a blanket or towel in front of you. Place your baby on their back so that you can maintain eye contact.</li><li><strong>Control your touch:</strong> When you first start massaging your baby, use a gentle touch. Avoid tickling your baby, which might irritate him. As your baby grows, use a firmer touch.</li><li><strong>Slowly stroke and knead each part of your baby's body: </strong>You might start by placing your baby on his or her stomach and spending one minute each rubbing different areas, including your baby's head, neck, shoulders, upper back, waist, thighs, feet, and hands. Next, place your baby on his or her back and spend one minute each extending and flexing your baby's arms and legs, and then both legs at the same time. Finally, with your baby either on his or her back or stomach, repeat the rubbing motions for another five minutes.</li><li><strong>Stay relaxed:</strong> Talk to your baby throughout the massage. You might sing or tell a story. Try repeating your baby's name and the word ‘relax’ as you help him or her release tension.</li><li><strong>Watch how your baby responds:</strong> If your baby jiggles his or her arms and seems happy, he or she is likely enjoying the massage and you can continue. If your baby turns his or her head away from you or appears restless or unhappy, stop the massage and try again later.</li></ul><h3>Should you use oil?</h3><p>Some parents prefer to use oil during infant massage to prevent friction between their hands and the baby's skin.</p><p>If you choose to use oil, select one that's odorless and edible—just in case your baby gets some in his or her mouth.</p><p>If your <a href="https://www.megawecare.com/good-health-by-yourself/child-health/food-allergies-in-children">baby has sensitive skin</a> or allergies, test the oil first by applying a small amount to a patch of your baby's skin and watching for a reaction.</p><p>It might take a few tries before you and your baby get the hang of infant massage. Be patient. With a little practice, an infant massage can be a healthy way for you and your baby to relax and bond.</p><h2 id="Conclusion">Conclusion</h2><p>To conclude, these are the different ways to help baby learn to walk and promote his physical and mental development.</p><p>Now that you are aware of how to help your baby learn to walk and how to make your baby walk, you can also include some core-strengthening exercises, bicycle movements, and exercises to be performed when the baby has gas problems.</p><p>Along with these exercises, the baby should also be massaged every day.</p>

#1A8DAD

<ul><li><a href="#Benefits">Benefits of physical activity for kids</a></li><li><a href="#Exercisesfornewborns">Exercises for newborns and infants</a></li><li><a href="#Exercisesfortoddlers">Exercises for toddlers</a></li><li><a href="#CoreStrengthening">Core Strengthening Exercises for the baby</a></li><li><a href="#OtherExercises">Other Exercises like Bicycle motion, Dancing, etc.</a></li><li><a href="#infantMassages">Infant Massages and their Benefits</a></li><li><a href="#Gasproblems">Exercises for Gas problems in Babies</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">Conclusion</a></li></ul>

Ways To Help Your Baby Learn To Walk

Key highlights or summary

Meet our expert

Meet our expert

Rate our article

How was the experience with article?

Related articles

Ways To Help Your Baby Learn To Walk

Key highlights or summary

Meet our expert

Meet our expert

Rate our article

How was the experience with article?

Reference

Related articles