Hello moms, dads, and all guardians of this motherhood community. It's good to be back with another article about my little one.
My story for today is about how I encouraged my baby to walk.
He's 13 months now, but still not walking. I feel like he's too late for that motor skill.
Am I too impatient for him to learn that skill?
Well, maybe.
But I want him to have the confidence to balance and in the future, walk.
So now I will share with you how I encouraged him to develop that skill and what's the progress of doing so.
MY MISTAKES
Every baby loves to explore things. Started to crawl at the age of 9 months, trying to stand while holding onto the furniture as early as 6 months. They are so energetic but always need support whenever they explore.
But what did I do? I'm always afraid for him to fall. Well, I bought him a playpen. Financed by this lovely Hive platform.
That makes him play without getting a chance to fall. That's satisfying as a mom, isn't it? But what I didn't realize is that... it can restrain him from exploring. Instead of holding onto furniture, try to practice standing, crawling, or walking, he's just trapped on that 6 side playpen.
So, he certainly has a safe place to play, but not to learn new skills and develop motor skills.
And that's what mistakes I made and make me guilty as his mom.
THE COMPARISON
Every baby develops at a different rate. Some walk as early as 10 months. While others walk too late, like around 18 months. And that difference is what makes my parents compare my baby to others.
They are like: "Why is your baby still not walking? Sarah's baby is like his age, but already running now."
Those words make me think about how my baby didn't walk as early as possible. Should he develop skills as early as those babies?
Well, I can always read how babies have differences in their developmental milestones. But the comparison is always there, especially now that social media updates you every day on others' lives.
HELPING HIM TO WALK
Every afternoon at 5 p.m. is our walking time.
He has this walker that helps him to walk without my support. Every afternoon after my work, I gave him my time.
We're upstairs where he has a lot more space to explore. Well, a lovely sunset always joins us while developing his motor skills.
And a snack just to give him a nice mood while walking.
Some pediatricians discourage parents from using walkers, as it can cause accidents. Like the one with wheeled frames. They say it can make the baby roll into hot stoves, heaters, and pools. So instead of walkers, they encouraged to use push toys.
But on my part, this walker doesn't have wheels. It is also made of wood which makes it sturdy and safe.
Unless he won't try to walk on his own feet, he can't move forward. So this is just perfect for assisting my baby to gain confidence while taking his first few wobbly steps.
MY BABY TODAY
As of today, my baby still can't walk. So, is it a sign to give up? Nope. He's still making some progress. Like he can now stand on his own feet. The balance is there. And you know what's next to it? The confidence of having the first step of walking.
And that is what makes me excited as a Mom. Because we develop it together.
At this very moment, I may feel guilty about not letting my child develop his motor skills early, and getting pressured because of comparing him to others. But all those things let me do my obligation as a mother. And that's... encouraging him to walk.
Disclaimer: All photographs by me, unless otherwise stated.
Little by little my friend, you just have to let it, it is normal that as mothers we have fears and we can overprotect them but they are little explorers, we can let them explore with our guide but never stop them from doing so. I'm happy that your baby is now placed on his feet, little by little he will learn what they are for and will begin to walk, God willing, cheer up.
Children will walk when they feel ready, not before or after.
Obviously if we keep them locked in a pen or sitting in a stroller they will hardly develop it.
Mine walked late too according to my relatives who came with the comparison, which at first bothered me and then I just ignored them.
Your baby will walk when it's his time, and that's not a bad thing, let it be his decision with your support and company.
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