Getting Mobile

INFANT & TODDLER Getting Mobile

Crawling, cruising, walking, running. Once your baby is up and moving, they are a force to be reckoned with. Here’s what to expect as your child becomes mobile. Remember that milestones predict the order of developing skills rather than an exact timetable. Talk to your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s progress.

Rolling Over

Your baby gets ready: Babies spend a lot of time on their backs sleeping or confined in car seats and carriers. To develop the muscles they need to crawl and stand, they need to spend time on their tummies each day.

What it looks like: Rolling over usually starts with tummy to back, followed by back to tummy. When they’re on their tummies, you’ll start to see them putting weight on their forearms and later, hands as they start building the skills for crawling.

When it happens: Between 4 and 6 months

Babyproof: To prevent falls, keep a hand on your baby while they’re on beds, sofas, and changing tables.

Crawling

Your baby gets ready: You may see your baby on all fours rocking back and forth. Or you may see them crawl backward when they really want to crawl forward. This is all part of learning how to move their bodies in order to crawl.

What it looks like: Babies have different styles of crawling, from classic to commando (lying flat on their bellies and dragging themselves forward). Some babies — about 7% — skip crawling altogether.

When it happens: Second half of their first year (6+ months) • Baby walkers. They can be dangerous. And it’s much better for your baby to be on the floor where they can practice crawling. • Lots of time in baby seats and carriers.

Babies need plenty of time to play, move, and explore.

Pulling Up/Cruising

Your baby gets ready: You may see your baby begin to pull up to a standing position or walk with assistance (like holding your hands). You can encourage pulling up by putting an interesting toy on the couch for them to find when they stand.

What it looks like: Your baby will use furniture to pull themselves upright, then walk by holding on for balance.

When it happens: 9 to 12 months

Babyproof: Everything you did at the crawling stage, plus look for hazards that may have been previously out of reach, like the cords on blinds. If you’ve not done so already, now is the time to pad furniture with sharp corners and remove anything that might tip over if your baby grabs or pulls on it. Also, make sure that bookshelves and other furniture that might be toppled by a cruising or climbing baby are anchored to the wall.

Walking

Your baby gets ready: Your baby may stand unassisted and then sit/fall to their bottom after a second or two. They may take a shaky step and then fall again. Usually, it takes four to six weeks of early steps before a baby becomes a confident walker.

What it looks like: Often when babies take their first steps, their arms are held out by their sides — this is to help them balance. As they get more comfortable with walking, their arms will come down next to their bodies.

Babyproof: Get down on the floor to see a baby’s-eye view. Cover electrical outlets and remove electrical cords from your baby’s reach. Put baby gates at the top and bottom of the stairs. Install toilet seat locks. Pad anything with sharp edges. Move houseplants, fragile items, and poisonous household cleaners out of reach.

What to avoid:

When it happens: 12 months to 18 months

Babyproof: Again. Higher and farther.

Expect: It takes a lot of practice to get good at walking. Expect a lot of falls and exhaustion – yours and theirs. j

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Phone Calls From Santa • December 6-8, 6pm to 7:30pm

The St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department and The North Pole are holding their annual Santa Calls. Parents with children 8 years old and younger residing in St. Johns County can sign up to receive a phone call from Santa Claus right from home this Christmas season. Registration for this program will only be offered online through Civic Rec. Parents, after creating an account, please register each child individually and not a family as a whole. Santa Claus will take a break from 6pm to 7:30pm to make his calls. St. Johns County Department of Parks & Recreation / 904-209-0321 / www.sjcfl.us