The first steps
Help your baby take their first steps

The day your baby takes their first steps is a big day and a milestone you've probably been waiting for since their first babbling sounds and sweet smiles. But before that, it's time to practice!

The first steps begin with your little one pulling themselves up to a standing position by holding onto furniture and other stable objects. Suddenly, your baby will stand on their own for a brief moment, soon followed by the first faltering steps.

"Furniture cruising"

At first, your baby will use anything reasonably stable for support, such as coffee tables or other furniture. Your baby becomes a little “furniture cruiser” with wobbly legs trying out a few sliding steps. “Furniture cruising” is the first step (literally) to mastering the art of walking on two legs.

You can support their development towards the first independent steps with a sturdy walker that your child can lean on when exploring the world. Using the baby walker strengthens the leg muscles and improves balance so that your child can eventually walk on their own.

Three signs your baby is ready for a baby walker

1

Your baby can sit up on the floor without support.

2

Your baby has started to pull themselves up to a standing position.

3

Your baby has started to walk sideways holding onto the furniture.

When can baby use a baby walker?

Most children are ready to use a baby walker between 9 and 12 months of age. At this point, they can sit up without support, have gained some strength in their legs, have started to pull themselves up to a standing position and cruise sideways along the furniture.

Start with small, safe walks and make sure you practice on a level floor that doesn't have obstacles such as stairs or loose rugs. If the baby walker has a wagon, it's fun to load it with favourite toys for your little one to pick up and transport around. If there are two adults, your little one can walk back and forth between you while you cheer them on. It's entertainment and training in one.

Which baby walker should I choose?

1:

When choosing the perfect baby walker, it's important to find a safe model that's designed so it won't tip over while your child is practising their first steps. It needs to have a certain weight to be stable and preferably a solid base that you can put something heavy in if needed.

2:

Check what materials the wheels are made of so you get a walker that runs quietly across the floor and doesn't get stuck in corners.

3:

At first, it's difficult for your little one to steer the walker around furniture, door frames and walls. That's why it can be a good idea to choose a baby walker designed with “shock absorbers” for a smooth journey that’s safe for both furniture and flooring.

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4:

If you want a walker that can be used for a long time, choose one with built-in activities that are fun for your baby before they begin walking.

You can also opt for a doll’s pram that can be used both for learning the first steps and later for pushing around with teddy bears and dolls.

5:

Also consider the ergonomics of the walker. The handle should fit the child's height and be a comfortable support when moving across the floor.

Sebra baby walker and doll's pram

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Sebra baby walker and doll's pram

View wooden toys

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Baby's first steps

Most children start walking when they are between 12 and 15 months old, but some start earlier, while others wait a little longer. At first, you may be concerned about the number of times your child falls, but this is a normal part of a child’s development. At the beginning of the journey towards baby's first steps, you can support them from behind, but once they get the hang of it, it's a good idea to let them try to stand up on their own and not intervene every time, as they learn best by trying on their own.

When your baby starts moving sideways while holding onto the furniture, a baby walker can be a great help for baby's first steps. The baby walker motivates the child to start walking and is often a beloved wooden toy that can be handed down from child to child. Children can place their teddy bears and dolls in the wagon. The same can be done with a doll's pram, which is an alternative to a baby walker. The doll's pram can then be used for role-playing with dolls and can be used for a long time.

Is a babywalker a good idea?

Do you know the difference between a seat walker and a baby walker? A seat walker is a chair that baby sits in and is designed so that baby can reach the ground with their legs, but without having to put weight on them. This allows baby to practice taking steps even if their legs are not strong enough. Many experts don’t recommend the seat walker for this reason. It's important that baby develops strength in their legs, stomach and back before taking their first steps, and a seat walker doesn't help with that.

A baby walker is a wagon with a handle that your baby can lean on and push along in front of them without losing their balance.

The wagon can be designed as a doll's pram or as an activity pram with fun items for your baby to practice fine motor skills. Many experts suggest the baby walker as a fun toy that can motivate your baby to take their first steps and can be used for a long time. Find toys for 1-year olds.