Baby's First Steps

Month 12, Week 4

When you notice your baby "cruising" around their playroom, you may be eager to encourage their walking habit. But what's the best method?

• Grasp your baby's hand and help them walk around for longer distances. That will help them improve their balance and become confident on two feet.
• Avoid wheeled walkers; they reduce a baby's desire to learn to walk since they can already get around the room. Walkers also greatly increase their chances of injury, even when adults are present. That's because they're unstable and fast and allow babies to grab things they normally couldn't reach. A baby in a walker may fall down a flight of stairs, knock hot coffee from a table onto herself, or ingest medication, coins, or other small items you thought were out of reach. Opt for the push toys instead.
• Stationary activity centers let babies play safely while on their feet without moving around the room.

Your Baby's Development This Week

Your baby may be taking their first tentative steps. Or they may still be clutching the edge of the coffee table, content to "cruise" around.

If your child isn't walking but a younger baby is, don't fret; it's perfectly normal. Although some babies walk before their birthdays, many don't start for a few months. You should not become concerned unless your baby is not walking by 18 months.

Here's what they'll do along the way:

• They'll lean on furniture to get into a standing position and may even let go and stand on their own for a few seconds.
• They'll walk around the perimeter of a room, holding onto different pieces of furniture for support.
• They'll take one or more steps on their own -- toward you or another relative -- before falling.
• They'll learn to stand up without furniture for support when they fall in the middle of a room.

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