Baby's first steps in life

When you notice your baby "cruising" around his/her playroom, you may be eager to encourage his/her walking habit.

Grasp your baby's hand and help him/her 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 his/her 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.

Stationary activity centers let babies play safely while on their feet without moving around the room.

Your baby may be taking her first tentative steps. Or she 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.

Look around your home from your walking child's eye level. Update childproofing to keep pace with her new movement skills.

Make sure that your baby never uses a wheeled walker, including at daycare or a relative's house.

Some study, weighted push toys (including toy lawn mowers or toy shopping carts) can help your baby have fun while walking greater distances.

Don't confine your baby to her stroller or playpen for long. You want to give her enough time to practice walking each day.

Don't worry if your baby isn't walking and you notice that she stands pigeon-toed. Some babies are born this way. It usually gets corrected during the first few years and doesn't delay walking.

Let your baby walk alongside the stroller for part of his/her daily walk with you. You're modeling healthy behavior by being active every day.

Help your child learn how to go up and down stairs by practicing under close supervision. Then, lock the safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs to make stairs off-limits.