Booty scooting often happens when babies avoided tummy time early on. Babies who booty scoot tend to avoid positions where their head needs to move independently from their body, like crawling requires. This preference for sitting can make pulling to stand, cruising, and walking a little more difficult.

Focus on essential features like non-slip soles and flexible forefeet, but remember that barefoot walking is actually best for developing balance and coordination.

A “yes” space is an area where your baby can freely move without the need for an adult to intervene for safety. Learn how to create a play environment that your baby can safely and freely explore.

Are baby jumpers worth buying for your baby's development? As a pediatric physical therapist, I don't recommend them. They don't strengthen legs or help with walking.

Trying to decide between push toy walkers and sit-in walkers for your baby? Push toy walkers are the clear winner. They support natural walking development, while sit-in walkers can actually delay walking and create safety risks.

No, baby walkers don't help babies walk sooner. Research shows they actually delay walking development because they change your baby's natural movement patterns and reduce time spent in developmental positions like floor play and crawling that build real walking skills.

Learn about the grasp reflex and a simple, effective technique for encouraging the release of your baby’s grasp.

Motor milestones create new opportunities for language learning as babies develop. Sitting enables face-to-face interaction and gesturing, crawling introduces independent exploration and requesting, and walking expands access to new environments and conversations.

Yes, letting your baby wear just a diaper during supervised playtime is excellent for motor development. Clothing restricts movement, reduces sensory feedback, and can interfere with balance and coordination.

Many new walkers resist shoes because of the unfamiliar sensory changes they create. This resistance can be normal and temporary. Gradual introduction during fun activities works better than forcing compliance.

Effective ways to help your baby gain confidence in standing on their own. Learn how to provide semi-stable support through techniques like holding hands loosely, engaging with a book, and using a teddy bear.

Look for four key features: stability, maneuverability, speed control, and foot clearance. Introduce push toys around 9 to 12 months when your baby is cruising furniture.

A simple adjustment in how you hold your baby's hands while they learn to walk can significantly improve their balance and development. Holding their hands at shoulder level rather than overhead encourages natural posture and builds confidence.

Wondering when to introduce your baby's first shoes? Wait until they're walking confidently around your home without support, not immediately after first steps. Prioritize barefoot walking for healthy foot development, using shoes primarily for outdoor protection.

Use sticky notes for cruising along the wall.

3.23.2022

Make the most of the cruising stage.

1.19.2022

Support at their back helps your baby feel more secure and confident.

1.12.2022

But that doesn’t mean you have to stop using them!

12.8.2021

My go-to tip for helping babies learn to let go of support and take first steps.

10.6.2021

Looking out for flat feet

8.18.2021