Babies develop at their own pace. Typically, they start cruising (holding onto furniture
to walk sideways) from 8 - 12 months old, and start walking from 10 - 15 months.
These ranges provide a guideline to baby's development. However, if your baby is
delayed in achieving these basic motor milestones, consult your paediatrician or
physiotherapist for advice.
How Does My Baby Learn To Walk?
Walking is controlled by the two different systems in the brain, known as the motor
and sensory systems. They control the leg movements, and maintain the posture and
balance in walking respectively.
Your baby's body then awaits basic changes in body proportion - the legs grow longer,
shoulders broaden, and the head smaller - making it easier to balance in an upright
posture.
Walkind depends on practice. Babies must clock many hours of standing, cruising
and walking with some type of support before they can develop the strength and balance
to walk on their own.
Should My Baby Use A Walker?
No.
A walker does not help your baby to learn to walk. It is dangerous and potentially
fatal. In fact, Canada has already banned the sale of baby walkers.
How Is The Baby Walker More A Weapon Than A Tool?
Danger 1: Baby walkers cause babies to walk later
Baby walkers don't help babies walk earlier. In fact, walkers may even delay your
baby's movement skill development or discourage him from learning to walk on his
own.
Baby walkers don't help babies walk earlier. In fact, walkers may even delay your
baby's movement skill development or discourage him from learning to walk on his
own.
Most walkers are designed such that babies are not able to see their feet while
walking. This can slow down development of movement as they are unable to make mental
connection that it is their legs and feet that are moving the walker.
Walkers make it too easy for babies to move around. Babies who are in walkers tend
to explore and satisfy their curiosity without developing their balance or walking
skills. This may lead to slower development of balance and walking skills. Studies
have shown that babies who spent 2 hours each day in the walker were more delayed
in walking than babies who did not use a walker.
Danger 2: Baby walkers cause abnormal walking pattern
The baby's legs are not straight when "walking" in the walker. The hips and knees
are bent and he will tend to walk on tiptoe. This causes him to use and develop
the wrong leg muscles for walking. Such abnormal walking pattern may be difficult
to correct even when he is out of the walker.
Studies have shown that walking pattern of babies worsen with the use of walkers
especially if they are already walking in an abnormal way.
Danger 3: Baby walkers can cause serious injuries
Walkers are unsafe. Babies can reac a speed of 1 meter per second in a walker, which
is too fast even for an attentive parent to catch should the child speed towards
an open door, down the stairs or towards a boiling pot.
So How Can I Encourage My Baby To Learn To Walk?
- Discard the walker
- Use a playpen or play-centre that is stationary. Alternatively, allow a safe,
unrestricted floor space for exploration.
- Help your baby exercise his muscles e.g. supported standing or cruising.
- Provide sensory stimulation e.g. baby massage.
- Provide vestibluar stimulation e.g. rocking, bouncing or swing baby.
- Breast-feeding may help to strengthen baby's muscles.
What If My Child Has An Abnormal Walking Pattern?
Consult your doctor if you notice that your child is walking on his toes or on the
sides of the feet.
This article is provided by KK Hospital - Singapore’s leading Women and Children’s
Hospital. Please visit www.kkh.com.sg for more information.
