You Need To Stop Believing These 5 Myths About Baby Walking

Are you eagerly waiting for your dear little one’s first steps? Do you receive lots of opinions and suggestions from other people regarding baby walking from which you wish to weed out myths? If you said yes, you need to learn myths and truths about baby walking right away!

Baby walking is an important event in the life of the parents and people around them. It signifies that their little one is now growing up rapidly and will soon reach toddler-hood! But unfortunately, this milestone is rife with myths that have been spread across generations. Following these myths only leads to stress and unwanted disappointment for both you and your baby. Check out these common myths and truths about baby walking. Only when you have a clear understanding of this developmental milestone can you guide your baby in the best way possible!

Myth 1

If your baby spends time in her baby walker, it will help her walk earlier and faster.

Truth 1

This is not true. In fact, the truth is the exact opposite i.e. if your baby uses a walker for a long time, she learns to walk on her own late, not early. Researchers believe that this happens because the walker supports your little one to move around the house just by pushing his feet but the weight of the baby’s body is well-supported by the walker’s seat. On the other hand, when baby is walking on his own, he needs to balance his own weight. As a result, the walker promotes delayed baby walk. So it is best to avoid walker if you want to see your baby taking her first steps soon.

Myth 2

If your baby walks earlier, then it means that she is smarter and healthier than babies who walk later.

Truth 2

This is not at all true. There is no significant difference in the fitness and smartness of the babies who started walking at eight months and babies who took their first steps at 18 months. Just the size of your baby impacts when your baby will walk. If your baby has a big head, she needs to develop enough strength to support it upright while taking her first baby steps. This might cause a bit of delay. However, if your baby has a proportionate or small head, she can easily support it upright and walk earlier than big-headed babies. Also, if your baby walks a bit late, that means she is more cautious than babies who take the risk of walking very early.

Myth 3

Your baby needs to wear hard-soled shoes to support her walk.

Truth 3

This is completely false, as the truth is exactly the opposite. Research reveals that your baby has immature balance as she takes her first baby steps. So, she needs to bend her feet while walking to prevent falling. However, hard-soled shoes don’t allow your baby to flex her feet so they are not supportive to your little ones while walking. In fact, they hinder her balance. Also, when your baby walks with hard-soled shoes on laminated or wooden floors, she is at greater risk of slipping on the floor. Comfortable shoes are not only important to keep baby happy, they also help her to walk.  A pair of soft, well-fitting shoes will prevent baby from stumbling when learning to walk. Opt for a pair of soft booties and see the difference for yourself.  And if your baby refuses to wear regular shoes, there’s always sock shoes to protect her delicate little feet and keep her from falling or tripping.

Myth 4

Baby’s leg muscles are the most important while walking.

Truth 4

No, that’s not so. Baby’s walking act not only involves leg muscles but also engages many major muscle groups in her body. In fact, her back, neck, and arm muscles play a key role in balancing her trunk, in order to help her have the right posture as she tries to walk. Also, these groups of muscles promote initial moves, such as leaning forward, reaching out, and turning in different directions – all of which your baby needs to develop before she puts her first step.

Myth 5

Your baby walks early only if she crawls first.

Truth 5

This is so not true! Most babies who skip crawling tend to learn and walk earlier than, or at the same time as, crawling babies. If your baby skips crawling and tries taking her first baby steps, that’s perfectly fine and you have nothing to worry about it. In fact, you might find your baby walking well and earlier than other babies who used to crawl first.