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The Best Toys and Products to Help Your Child Start Walking

One aspect of parenting we often look forward to is seeing our child(ren) hit their milestones. Whether it is saying “mama” or “dada” or catching the glimpse of their first smile :) The milestone that made me a little nervous because my daughter seemed to be taking a little “longer” than most to starting crawling and ultimately walk. As a new mom, my expectations were for her to hit every milestone. I had notifications set every first Thursday of each month for all 30 milestone apps on my phone. Ensuring my daughter was meeting or atleast exhibiting aspects of those milestones. I can say I was slightly obsessive, but I excused it away as being an caring/loving mother. But after awhile, I came to understand that I needed to calm down and work on her schedule.

As a parent, there’s a balance between allowing our kids to grow at their pace and providing necessary tools/activities to help our child meet or surpass these milestones. Also, if their personal growth and parental tools aren’t working know when to seek professional assistance. Utilizing professional services help ensure there aren’t any underlining fine motor skills preventing crawling and walking. This blog post is for the middle (wo)man, a list of tools aka toys to help our children to reach the milestone of crawling and walking.

My Child Isn’t Crawling?

According to BabyCenter.com, most babies start to scoot or crawl around 7-10 months. Walking is expected around 9-12 months. During my pregnancy, there were many of my friends that were pregnant at the same time. So now that our babies were growing up together, it was +- She didn’t officially start walking until about a month after her first birthday Below are (number) toys that I’ve and other mommy used that helped Czaria start to scoot and ultimately start crawling around her 7th and 8th month.

Again, every child will vary and this is just an in general estimate.

7 Best Products to Get Your Baby Walking

1.Knee PadsThere are a variety of knee socks/pads out there, but one of the biggest issues is slippage or tthey are stretchy enough causing indentations in your babies skin. These knee pads are adjustable, which is wonderful, especially when you have a baby like Czaria, who was chunky baby.

2. VTech Explore and Crawl Learning CubThe Explore and Crawl Cub is a super cute way to get your little one crawling. Crawling toys allow for a little extra inspiration to get those legs moving.

3. Ride On ToyCzaria received this toy for Christmas and this was more so the top top that got her walking. The only thing is to keep an extra eye out if their balance is weak, they could pull the back down and cause them to fall. The better their balance, the better it works.

4. Baby Shark Push Toy I still don’t understand nor grasped the love for Baby Shark, but our babies love this song. What better toy than their very own Baby Shark walking toy.

5. Fisher-Price Play and Crawl Hedgehog Mirror crawling toys that are mobile are great for encouraging our crawling to start scooting and moving around. I thought it was the greatest event in the world to see Czaria perform her army crawls to full fledge crawling. Even for us moms that may want to relax and not be on all fours trying to get our babies moving. This allows you to enjoy and watch your baby check off their next completed milestone.

6. VTech Sit-to-Stand Learning Walker I love the push toys, there are a variety of options out there to match your needs. The push toys help with balance and grasp footing for beginner walkers. Just be sure to clear the path for your little one to avoid potential crashes and tumbles.

7. Walking ShoesWalking shoes are sort of controversial, depends on who you talk to. Kansas City pediatrician, Dr. Natasha Burgert what to look for when purchasing shoes for toddlers. Personally speaking, Czaria faired well with her hardbottom walking shoes.

Again, these items aren’t guaranteed to have your angel walking next week, but are tools to help get their little feet going. Czaria starting crawling around with the moving bee. Belly rocks, led to army crawls and finally full blown crawling!

Common Questions About Getting Your Baby Walking

How Can I Help My Baby Learn to Walk?

A few tips to help your baby is used assisted walking techniques including

• Hand holding and/or underarm support

• Furniture grazing/cruising

• Leg strength excercises

• Don’t over react when they fall - often our reactions could scare them and cause them to fear falling.

• Don’t force them when they aren’t ready (I’m guilty)

• Praise the little wins!

When is it Too Early to State Walking?

An old wives tale, say that babies that are hitting milestones early mean they are moving out the way for the next baby. LOL! Often many moms want their kids to be “the first” over hearing other moms share how their child started walking right out the womb.

When Should I Start Worrying that my Baby isn’t Walking?

Since the range for walking is between 9 to 18 months and you find yourself approcaching or surpassing that time frame, speak up. Keep in communication with your pediatrician who should be providing updates and recognizing possible delays. Often child who have a perceived delay are given a recommendation to an occupational therapists. The key is communication, document your oncerns to bring to your pediatrian and work through those concerns accordingly.

Lastly, always remember every child progresses at their own pace. As parents, if we regonize that our child is exhibiting a desire to begin crawling or walking there are tools to aid in their development. On the other hand, if you don’t see those milestones being met after a certain period of time seek professional help (i.e. pediatrician) to examine your child’s specific needs. Also, remember to enjoy every stage your child enters and praise them where they are.

Mommas enjoy your little crawlers and walkers!

What age did your baby start crawling and what tools did you use to encourage their movement?

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