Categories
Development Health Special Child

All You Want to Know About Toddler’s Developmental Delay

When toddlers are slower to develop communication, emotional, physical, and social skills than expected, it is called developmental delay. Developmental delay can turn up in the way children shift, behave, think, communicate and learn with others. When more than one of these areas is affected, it may be called a global developmental delay.

Developmental delay may be short term, or it may be the first sign of a long-term issue.

Lasting developmental delays are also known as developmental disabilities. Instances are intellectual disability, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy.

Signs that indicate that your toddler’s development has been delayed

Every toddler develops differently but as a general guide, you might be worried about the developmental delay if you notice that, over several months, your child is not developing language, social or motor skills at the same rate as other kids of the same age.

Things to do for delayed development in your toddler

As a parent, you know your toddler better than anyone else. If you are worried about your child’s development, rely on your instincts and talk to your paediatrician, and nurse.

These health professionals can make a diagnosis of developmental delay after evaluating your child. Or they can refer you to other professionals who can assist.

People who can assist a toddler with developmental delay

Your paediatrician and nurse can assist if you think your kid might have developmental delay, or your kid has a developmental delay diagnosis. The below-mentioned experts can also assist:

  • Audiologist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Speech pathologist
  • Psychologist
  • Special education teacher
  • Social worker
Living with developmental delay

Like other toddlers, kids with developmental delays keep learning. But they take longer to develop new skills, and they may learn in somewhat different ways from other kids. For instance, most kids can learn skills fast and by instance. But kids with developmental delay may need to be shown skills in simpler, smaller steps. They may also require more time and chances to practise skills.

At preschool or school, your kid may need additional support to do well. It is always a good idea to talk with preschools and schools about your child’s requirements. And if your child has a disability diagnosis, you may be able to get school support.

Do not worry about delayed development

Keep in mind that children develop at different rates. But, if you think your child is developmentally delayed, consult with your doctor. If your school-age child is diagnosed with developmental delay, you may be entitled to special services. Specialized services differ as per the need and location.

Consult with your physician and your school district to discover what services are present. Specialized education, particularly when started early, can assist your child’s progress and achieve more in school.

Treatments for developmental delays differ as per the specific delay. Some treatments comprise physical therapy for assistance in motor skill delay and behavioural and educational therapy for help with ASD and other delays.

In a few cases, medications may be recommended. A diagnosis and an evaluation from a paediatrician are vital to come up with a treatment plan particularly designed for your kid.

Categories
Parenting and Childcare Sleeping Habits

Get your Twins on a Similar Sleep Schedule

From bathing and feeding to putting the twins down for sleep and changing diapers round the clock, life with twins can be as strenuous as it is satisfying. Even though the first few weeks are a bit of a twister, you can work towards setting up a flexible sleep schedule for your twins, which will work together with their feeding routine. Experts explain by six weeks your infants’ feeding routine should be calming down and they should begin sleeping for no less than one long stretch at night and waking every three to four hours to feed.

Here are some effectual means to get your twins on a similar sleep schedule:

Make sure that the twins sleep in the initial weeks together

There is no doubt that twins feel comfortable with each other and are calmer when placed next to each other, particularly in the first six weeks after birth. A study reveals that when newborn twins sleep in a single cot, they tend to have the same sleep schedule. This is since they tend to move nearer to one another and contact, hug and hold each other. They also get up at the same time, which makes their life much easier. They also normalize each other’s body temperatures, which assists to keep them quiet and transition into the world after birth.

Feed them at the same time

Waking a sleeping baby to feed in the night may sound like a mad idea, but it is a perfect tactic with twins. In the early days, if one baby is wide awake and it is close to feeding time, feed both! Once your babies grow older, you will find that they are asking for more frequent night feedings and a longer stretch of sleep. Remember that twins grow speedily and are hungry frequently, so when they strike a growth spurt you may need to feed them repeatedly. This is usual and should not last more than a week.

Put down your twins drowsy but awake

It is easy to rock one child to sleep in a bistro or the car, but when it comes to having twins, try to allow them to fall asleep in their cots when it is nap time rather than holding or rocking both of them at once. If anyone of them is bothering at sleep time, lift him/her to pacify and put the infant to cot again when he becomes sleepy. Teaching twins to self-settle is a great lasting tactic.

Make a calming sleep environment

When it comes to assisting your babies to sleep during the day and night, refer to these below-mentioned tips:

  • Stop over-drowsiness by restricting their awake time between sleep to forty-five and sixty minutes during the day
  • Keep them swaddled in a stretchy 100% cotton blanket when it is time to sleep
  • Dim the light in the room by closing the curtains and using block out blinds so there are no bright lights that can over-stimulate them
  • Use white noise, such as the sound of the ocean or a fan, to imitate the sounds of the womb.
  • Keep night feeds silent by remaining in the sleep zone, in a dark room with restricted interaction.

Lastly, give it time. A schedule does not take place in a day; it evolves over weeks and months.

Categories
Parenting and Childcare

Tips for Getting Back to Work After Having a Baby

A new mom’s complete day rotates around her little one, leaving no time for herself. Moreover, a day’s work at the workplace may appear like an impossible task if you are on your maternity leave. With support and preparation, you can certainly ace being a working mom and a rockstar mommy.

Returning to work is one of the most frightening milestones for most new moms. Several doubts may cross your mind and you can find yourself feeling nervous and anxious, guilty, thrilled, all at the same time. Here are a few things you must think about before you return to work:

Keep in contact with what is happening in the office while you are on maternity leave

Keep in touch with your boss, teammates can assist you to feel associated even when you are on leave. Staying connected with your friends at the place of work can make you wish to join work. Understanding what are the new amendments in your team can assist you to discuss the roles as per your requirements if required.

Planning when to return

You may always feel that your child is not old enough for you to join back work, or you need more time. While there is no ideal time to return to work, think about factors such as travel requirements at your workplace, anticipated workload, commute time, your financial situation, and the support system you have back home. Talk with your partner on what they think and how you as a family are ready for you to join back work.

Talk with your employers

Most companies in India today have regulations that make returning to employment easy for new mothers. Talk about your options with your company. If you need to feed your baby, check with your employer if you can go out for an hour during the break. Pumping might be one more option, and several working moms are opting for. Flexible hours for working and bosses who understand can make the evolution simple for you.

Know the regulations at your place of work

While maximum companies make the prospective arrangements for new moms, you should know what you are permitted to as per regulations. Ensure you know the regulations of your company in regards to legal rights and flexibility.

Mom restart career

Once you know the date you shall get back to work on, you must plan out all the essential details meticulously. Here are the things to consider before restarting the career:

Decide on who needs to look after your child while you are at work

Most working parents either choose a daycare or rely on the kid’s grandparents in their absence. You might need to think about a range of factors such as the eagerness of grandparents, their health/age conditions, monetary aspects of daycare, etc. Whatever you select for your family, remember your family’s needs and the setting that best suits you and your kid. Think about the monetary costs included in each option, and make up your mind on what you think is the best choice.

Get the necessary assistance

With you joining back work, there would be added responsibilities, hence it is wise to seek assistance. Assign some of the vital responsibilities to your partner or any other assistance you may have. For instance, think about getting extra help for tasks like cleaning, cooking, etc. Plan for days when the child is sick. Planning can assist in avoiding issues.

Re-focus on your career

You may feel miserable for weeks as a working mom, thinking about your little one always and bothering about him. Remember that worrying alone does not assist. Rather you should focus on your career.

So, if you are a new mom and planning returning to work, then you should keep in mind the above-mentioned tips.

Categories
Health Parenting and Childcare

Tips to Recognise and Diagnose Your Baby’s Food Allergies and Sensitivities

Starting to feed solid foods to babies is an electrifying milestone for parents. But, it comes with a lot of concerns and questions, particularly about food allergies. Allergy is caused by antibodies that the body’s immune system pro­duces, which respond to a constituent of a particular food and then discharge chemicals that cause allergic symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itching, and coughing.

Start Gradually to Recognise Any Food Allergies

It is most essential to introduce a baby to new foods slowly, one at a time, in case of food allergies. If not, a parent may have difficulty finding out that the baby is sensitive to which food. For instance, if you offer your baby 3 new foods in a day and she builds up an allergic reaction, you would not know which of the foods triggered it.

The type of food or the order in which food is introduced is not much anxiety, as long as the foods you are offering are well-balanced and healthy for the baby. Every time you provide a new food, you should wait for a few days before adding another innovative item to the menu. Do not get rid of the previous foods your baby is eating during that time; as you know these are safe for your baby.

Food Allergy Symptoms to Look for in Your Baby

Food allergy symptoms typically appear very soon after the food is consumed. The reaction may occur in a few minutes to a couple of hours. If you are introducing new food to your baby, look for these symptoms:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Hives or welts
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Flushed skin or rash
  • Diarrhoea  and/or vomiting 
  • Lip, tongue, or face swelling
  • Wheezing or coughing
How to Diagnose Baby Food Allergies?

Doctors suggest that it is important to secure a reliable diagnosis before drawing any dietary conclusions. Remember that restricting a baby’s diet without your paediatrician’s guidance carries risks of its own. If your baby has stomach issues or is picky after meals, talk to your paediatrician and visit an allergist. Sometimes the issue is not related to food allergies at all rather it can be due to overfeeding, incorrect mixing of formula milk, etc.

If your little one is diagnosed with an allergy or is sensitive to a particular food, you will have to stay away from her trigger foods. If your little one is allergic to milk, doctors will typically put the baby on a hypoallergenic formula. Just keep in mind; while food allergies can be annoying and even frightening, they do not essentially last forever. Several kids grow out of them by age five.

If you expect a sensitivity or food allergy, verify your suspicions

If you see a few warning signs and start to suspect that your infant may have a food allergy or is sensitive to a particular food, then take appropriate steps:

  • Choose an elimination diet. This diet enables you to test how your baby reacts when you eliminate a specific food from her diet and then introduce it later. An elimination diet is a great tool to use if your baby’s symptoms are not life-threatening and acute.
  • Look for medical assistance if essential. If your kid’s symptoms are serious, seek medical attention at once. A paediatrician will be able to carry out a range of tests to give you a diagnosis.

After you have confirmation about your baby’s food sensitivity or allergy, let your paediatrician know about this. This comprises anyone who takes care of your baby. The people who will be supervising and feeding your little one must know exactly what he can and cannot eat.

Categories
Behaviour and Discipline Parenting and Childcare

Tips to Deal with Swearing and Abusive Language: A Guide for Parents

Reasons why my child is using foul language

Kids are always studying how to converse and communicate with people. When your kid picks up a new swear word at kindergarten or from another kid in your society, the prospects are, he will want to try it out at the house. And when other kids start laughing when he uses the word, it will give him the confidence to repeat uttering the word.

Toddlers also study by copying themselves on others. For your kid, this often involves imitation, particularly of people he looks up to and loves, such as family members and older siblings. Thus, he may pick up certain words and behaviors to fit in, without knowing what they mean.

This is the usual stage in your child’s development. Your curious child has acquired a new skill, one that is different and thrilling.

What should you do about swearing and abusive language?

It does not matter where the language comes from, though it is never too early to teach your child that it is not tolerable. Here are some tips on how you can make your little one comprehend:

Maintain a straight face

When your preschooler uses abusive language, says a swear word, oppose the urge to giggle, which he will take as superb support for doing it again.
The capability to make adults giggle or annoy or distress is very powerful when you are little. And even if it seems hilarious or amusing to hear your toddler repeating some wrong words unknowingly, showing your enjoyment is not in his best interests.

Though difficult to practice, try to pay no heed to rude language the first time your child uses it. It may happen that he would not repeat it if it does not get him the reaction he was searching for.

Evaluate the environment

Children usually imitate behavior and language that they have heard. Although they might have an idea that it is something that is not permitted, they do not know the connotation of the words themselves. If your kid hears you or other family members swearing on a day-to-day basis, he is likely to choose these up and reiterate them. If you swear in front of him, admit and apologize that you should not have said it.

Speak to everyone within the family which also includes the household staff. No one should use bad language in front of your toddler. If they end up saying something inappropriate they should apologize.

Teach respect

Children need support and motivation to study about respectful behavior and the disparity between “good” and “bad”. Kids need to know right away when their behavior is improper, whether it is swearing, kicking or hitting. Wait for a few minutes if you need to pacify, and then tell him that foul words are not allowed. Also tell him that it is not okay to use swear words and this is not tolerated at preschool or daycare, on the playground, at friends’ houses and even their home.

Remember that all children go through this stage at some point or another. The possibility is that with a little patience and guidance, your toddler will get the message that it is not acceptable behaviour.

Categories
Parenting and Childcare Travel

Here’s How You Can Keep Boredom at Bay When Travelling with a Child During a Road Trip

One of the key changes that motherhood brings along is that all the hasty travel plans change to a more organized and scheduled one. If this is your first road trip with kids then it would involve a great amount of planning and preparation.

From their security to entertainment- parents have to think about all the aspects. To have a fun and successful road trip here are some of the tips that you can refer to.

Plan It Perfectly

Appropriate planning is the key. Prepping for the trip beforehand can assist in several ways than one. You get sufficient time to assemble for all that you necessitate for the travel. Try and schedule the time of the travel according to the nap time of the child. You can choose to leave early in the morning hours when the kids were drowsy and the traffic on the road was less. This way you can get some quiet and constant drive time.

Safety Awareness

For smooth sailing, make sure your car is in appropriate working order. Check the condition of the battery, belts, tyres, etc. If the car servicing is due, ensure to get it done before your tour. Carry all the emergency equipment like flashlights, tools to change the tyre, jumper cable, etc. Also, make sure that the child safety locks on the door are well activated.

Stop Regularly

Riding in the car for hours can be strenuous and tedious- both for you and the kids. Ensure you take timely breaks. Study the route of your destination carefully and know about the suggested pit stops. Do not forget to ask for recommendations from friends about all the restaurants and locations that are child friendly.

Arrange for child’s entertainment

You certainly do not want to mess up your drive with a grumpy child. Thus, keep him happy by engaging him in his favourite activity. Be it toys or books or games- keep everything handy. You can also download some audio rhymes and stories that can help to keep your kids entertained. Here are some of the tips that you can do to keep your child happy:

Mix things up with a building block play-set

A practical activity can be a great change of pace after a few hours on the road. Look for a playset that is ideal for little hands and has the perfect amount of pieces to keep kids’ entertained without causing a big mess.

Bring puzzles, word builders or any creative things

To keep boredom at bay, you can ask your kids to solve puzzles and word builders. You can also ask your kids to recite a rhyme which they have learned recently or talk about the things that you can see on the road as you travel.

Snacks on board

Pack lots of drinks and snacks with you. Again keep them as per your child’s liking and taste. You can carry homemade finger food, sandwiches, dry fruits, bananas, etc that can be munched on effortlessly. For younger kids, you can keep powdered cereals handy that can be fed by mixing in some water easily. Also keep some disposable spoons, paper plates, bowls, tissues, etc. Make sure that your child’s sippy cups and bottles are spill-proof.

Road trip with kids may sound a bit challenging but is great fun. A little pre-trip planning can go a long way in making your journey simple and memorable. The thumb rule for any travel is to make sure the comfort of the child. A happy and comfortable child would surely mean a serene and successful road trip.

Categories
Development Health Parenting and Childcare

Guidelines on How to Track Your Baby’s Growth

The focus of your kid’s health proof is his growth diagram. Kids who are developing at the usual rate and whose weight and length or height is quite well matched are usually healthy. Your doctor will monitor your baby’s weight and height on a percentile chart. With time, your provider would be able to see whether your baby is growing at a normal rate.

How does Baby Growth Charts Work?

The curves you notice on a baby growth diagram imitate average development—in head circumference, length, and weight —for girls and boys depending on their age. The physician will measure and weigh the baby then include a mark to the diagram to plan your kid’s latest gains. The curve is simply those dots linked over time.

How frequently is the baby’s growth measured?

Doctors will whisk out the measuring tape and place baby on a scale during every checkup, which means at birth, after 3 to 5 days and at one, two, four, six, nine, twelve, fifteen, eighteen, twenty-four, and thirty months, then annually after that. The main thing your doctor is looking for is constancy.

If you are interested in the baby’s growth, check out the below-mentioned guidelines:

Newborn milestones

Week 1: It is only been a week, but your newborn knows he can depend on you. By now, he can distinguish your voice, and the acquaintance helps him adjust to the weird new world outside the womb.

Week 2: In the second week, your baby can focus on objects a few inches away. As you feed your little one, move your head from side to side slowly and see if his eyes follow you. This helps make his eye muscles and tracking skills.

Week 3: Though his movements are still jerky and haphazard, your baby can begin snuggling by week three. As you hold him, watch how he adjusts his position towards you. He finds your arms soothing and reassuring. 

Week 4: This week you will see your baby is using his vocal cords in ways other than crying. He may make ahh and coo sounds, particularly when he sees parents. Babies learn by imitating, so replay his sounds back to him.

1 Month Baby Milestones

Week 5: This week your baby’s movements become more purposeful and smoother. Make sure to give your little one a mini-drill by pulling him slowly to a sitting pose, or allow him to rest with belly-down on your arm. Make sure to support his head during activities.

Week 8: Although your child’s head is still unsteady, the neck muscles are getting firmer by the day. Your baby can lift his head about 45 degrees. Put him on his stomach for brief periods each day so he can practice.

2 Month Baby Milestones

Week 9: This week sounds attract your baby, particularly high pitches and tones. He is also interested in hearing you talk, and will stare at your mouth intently as you speak to him. He may even reply with cooing.

Week 12: The baby by now has discovered an everlasting source of delight: his hands. He has understood that the thumbs and fingers are individual objects. He can also get his hands together, staring at them and then place them to his mouth to taste.

3 Month Baby Milestones

Your kid is getting stronger by the day. He may protest when he is placed on his stomach, but he needs tummy time every day for exercising his chest, neck, arm muscles, and rib cage. This is important for sitting up, rolling over, and crawling.

Consider these simple guidelines for toddler growth in the first year: Till six months, a toddler can grow half to one inch a month and put on about 200 grams per week. Your baby can increase his or her birth weight by two –times at about 5 months’ age.

Categories
Development Parenting and Childcare

Introducing your Child to the World of Writing

Writing is a skill. Parents are always looking for ways to help their kids learn to write. Though it takes time and patience to master the art of writing, it is never a difficult task to accomplish. Some children have it in their blood and for a few others need these skills to be incorporated in their daily routine.

There are a lot of methods starting from daily reading and writing sessions to fun-filled activities to improve a child’s writing skills. These will help a child build on his or her skills in no time. 

Create an alphabet book

This can be a fun way of getting your child’s alphabet learning started. Alphabet books can be created with one alphabet on a page along with the picture of an item starting with that letter for a child’s visual aid. Children will love drawing items and gradually become familiar with alphabets and letters.

Make children write their books

Encourage children to write their storybooks and get them compiled in the form of a book. Once completed, help them correct it and add them to your bookshelf. Finding a book written by them in the book-shelf will create in them a sense of pride.

Create writing worksheets

For small children just beginning to write, try creating a worksheet where they can trace out letters and words. You can also create a connect-the-dots game by engaging your child tracing along the dotted line and finally finding out the letter which comes up. 

Encourage reading

Regular reading helps expand a child’s vocabulary and shows them different ways of using a particular word. This would make it easier for them to use these words on their piece while writing. 

Encourage your child’s love for reading as they grow. This can be accomplished in smaller children by ensuring that you too read along with them daily. Start Reading early. Those children who devour books, grow up to become strong writers themselves.

Write to faraway friend and relatives

Writing to friends and relatives who they don’t get to see very often would increase your child’s love for writing. They will be enthusiastic to tell about what they have been up to and would love it, even more, when they get a response back.

Creativity can also be encouraged by assigning writing tasks like making pen pals or writing a letter to each other at home and hiding them around the house to find.

Encourage journaling

Creating a journal would be a great milestone in improving your child’s writing skills. This is a great way to express your thoughts and ideas on a particular topic. Encourage your child to write in as much as possible and make it a part of his or her daily routine. 

Create a writing space

Dedicate an area of your home solely for writing purposes. Space should be completely devoted to writing. This will help your child to stay away from all distractions and he can focus on practicing writing skills regularly. 

Connect your child’s interest

Think about your kid’s favorite book series or a comic character or whatever your child is fascinated about. Connect his or her area of interest to writing. If your child is interested in dinosaurs, encourage him to write a series on them, or to describe their features in an article. 

Create story prompts

Suppose your child is obsessed with Pokemon. Encourage your child to write a new short story about Pokemon or ask him to create an entire series of Pokemon. This will add on to his creative writing skills and imagination, prompting him to write more and more. 

Make apt use of Technology 

Use technology to your advantage by promoting your child to create a blog. Engaging in such online updates would help improve their writing skills by encouraging frequent writing habits and creative skills. 

Invest your time

Make yourself available to help your child in proofreading and spellings whenever your child requires it. This will make him confident in what he/she is writing to help him improve more.

Praise your child’s work

Appreciate your child when they show interest in writing any piece. This appreciation will be an inspiration for him to write more and develop their skills. 

As parents, encourage them to write at schools, participate in competitions and try bringing out the best in them by your constant guidance and support. Give these techniques a try and along with some fun, you can see your children sparkling with pens.

Categories
Parenting and Childcare

Tips on How to Enhance Your Toddler’s Self-Confidence with Words

Self-confidence arrives from a sense of capability. A confident kid requires a realistic and positive sensitivity to his or her capabilities. This arises out of achievements, small and great. Your motivating words can assist develop this confidence, particularly when you refer to your child’s abilities or specific efforts.

As a parent, you are always trying your best to assist your child to be happy, resilient, and confident. But at times even the most excellent parents slip into utilising language that weakens those goals.

Here are some tips on how to build confidence in your toddler

Love your toddler

This seems understandable, but it is possibly the most significant thing you can offer your toddler. Even if you do it wrongly always give out lots of love. Your child needs to feel accepted and loved, starting with the family and expanding to others such as community, friends, sports teams, and schoolmates. If you shout or overlook or make some other parenting error, offer your child a hug and tell him you are apologetic and you love her. Unconditional love constructs a strong foundation for confidence.

Tell them they are Powerful

Telling your toddler that they are powerful lets them know that they make a differentiation in the world. They will gain confidence from knowing that their actions impact others as well as their words. When a kid feels powerful, they feel that they are as vital as an adult and their words are taken with the same thoughtfulness.

Congratulate where praise is due

It is vital to admire your child and give positive feedback as children measure their achievements and worth by what you think. But be realistic in your praise. If a child shows no flair at a specific skill, admire the effort; however, do not admire the results unrealistically. Tell your child that some things take recurring effort and exercise—and at times it is alright to move on after you have given your best effort.

Tell your toddler that he is strong

Telling your child that he is strong will improve their self-confidence. They will feel strong and able to achieve tasks that are hard to do. They will also experience better about themselves which elevates their confidence. If a kid feels strong, they are more prone to continue through challenges and go on the path despite difficulties. Also, when your kid feels strong, they will wish to take on new tasks and challenges as they feel that they have the power to finish the tasks.

Say Thank You

Telling your child that you appreciate their actions or words will persuade them to do it again in the future. Saying thank you is also part of modelling appreciation in your family, making it simpler for your child to know how to convey thanks themselves. A toddler who feels like they make a difference will be more likely to repeat the supportive action in the future or try other ways to be cooperative such as assisting with groceries. When appreciated, a toddler feels important, and this gives a boost to confidence.

Tell them they are beautiful

A child who feels beautiful will be more convinced in themselves while they face new situations and challenges.

These words will improve your toddler’s self-esteem and self-confidence. The more confidence they have, the more liable they are to search for challenges. When a toddler feels confident, they are more possible to stand up and strive again when they collapse.

Categories
Development Parenting and Childcare

Tips on How to Teach Your Baby to Walk

Seeing your child take his first steps is one of the most thrilling early milestones. Children go through numerous developmental stages before learning to walk, which include crawling, sitting, standing and pulling up. While all toddlers tend to pursue the same development through these phases, no two babies experience them at the same time or in the same manner. That said, there are lots of ways you can assist your baby along in his journey to walk!

When do babies start walking?

Usually, a baby learns to walk at about 14 months, but every baby is different, so some may get there earlier and some will take a little longer. It is important that you give them time, even up to 18 months is considered common, though you can persuade them to practise often and try not to carry them in all places. If you are still concerned, it may be wise to seek medical assistance, so trained professionals can check your child’s reflexes, muscle tone, and posture.

Tips on how to teach your baby to walk
  • Even though you cannot rush their development, there are a few things you can do to assist build their harmonization and self-assurance.
  • Place an attention-grabbing toy on a chair to motivate your baby to get to it
  • Provide your baby lots of appreciation whenever they drag them up to standing and assist them to sit down again as they would not have learned this yet
  • If your baby is standing self-confidently by holding furniture, motivate them to ‘travel’ around furniture or to grasp their hands and get them to stroll
  • Once your little one tries to pull a push-along toy, they use it to support themselves when walking. Ensure it is firm and solid enough to support their weight steadily.
  • Your encouragement and smiling face is the most excellent way to motivate your baby to take their first steps on their own. Thus, stoop a few feet away, hold out your arms and smile as you advise your baby to take a few steps towards you
Things that you should not worry about

There are several peculiarities you will notice as your child waddles around — all of them completely normal:

Flat feet

Although you may find your baby’s feet appear flat, that is just baby fat plumping them up. By three years, the extra “plump” should dissolve and you will be able to see her natural curves. The feet may also bend inward, almost like half-moons. That is quite normal as it will take time to straighten out.

Tiptoe walking

Some babies have a desire to go around on their tiptoes which helps them develop their sense of balance. While in few cases tiptoeing may specify too-tight muscles in the feet or heels, it is almost always a peculiarity that goes away on its own.

Trips and falls

Ensure your home is childproofed and watch her at all times cautiously — then try not to tension over her predictable fall over. Your little one may indeed cry if he falls, but prospects are he is more irritated than wounded.

Once your baby is getting around on her own two feet, she will keep on discovering new things.