#asktheexperts My daughter is a 27weeks premature baby. Now she is 2.3 years old but has trouble walking. She goes to a physiotherapist regularly but still she is not walking. We have been to neurologists also and everything seems to be fine. Please suggest some measures that we can take at home to help her built her strength.
Thank you.

Question

#asktheexperts My daughter is a 27weeks premature baby. Now she is 2.3 years old but has trouble walking. She goes to a physiotherapist regularly but still she is not walking. We have been to neurologists also and everything seems to be fine. Please suggest some measures that we can take at home to help her built her strength. 
Thank you.

Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's challenges with walking. Here are some measures you can consider at home to help her build strength and support her development:

1. **Encourage Active Play**: Engage your daughter in activities that promote movement and strength-building, such as crawling, climbing, and playing with toys that encourage standing and balancing.

2. **Supportive Equipment**: Use supportive equipment like walkers or standers under the guidance of your physiotherapist or healthcare provider. These can provide stability and help strengthen her leg muscles.

3. **Physical Therapy Exercises**: Continuously perform the exercises recommended by the physiotherapist at home. These may include stretching, range-of-motion exercises, and specific movements to strengthen leg muscles.

4. **Outdoor Activities**: Take your daughter outdoors for walks in a safe environment where she can practice walking with support. Walking on different surfaces can help improve balance and coordination.

5. **Use of Toys**: Encourage play with toys that promote standing and walking, such as push toys or ride-on toys that she can push with her feet.

6. **Balancing Activities**: Practice activities that improve balance, such as standing on one leg (with support if needed), or playing games that involve shifting weight from one leg to the other.

7. **Patience and Encouragement**: Offer positive reinforcement and encouragement during her efforts to walk. Celebrate small milestones and progress.

8. **Consultation with Specialists**: Keep in touch with your physiotherapist and neurologist to monitor progress and adjust strategies as needed. They may provide additional exercises or techniques tailored to her needs.

9. **Healthy Diet**: Ensure your daughter receives a balanced diet rich in nutrients that support muscle and bone development.

10. **Social Interaction**: Encourage social interaction and play with peers, which can motivate her to explore movement and develop confidence in walking.

It's important to continue working closely with healthcare professionals to provide the best support for your daughter's development. Every child develops at their own pace, and with consistent effort and patience, she may gradually achieve her milestones.