Myths about the baby's first steps
The information about how to educate and take care of our children is largely written in our genes, and another part is learning. Today, with a lot of communication media at our disposal, even an excess of information, makes us doubt before so much variety and we can take refuge in believing that th
The information about how to educate and take care of our children is largely written in our genes, and another part is learning.
Today, with a lot of communication media at our disposal, even an excess of information, makes us doubt before so much variety and we can take refuge in believing that the best is what has always been done, that of all life, word of mouth ... "If they say it, it will be because it's true."We want to dismantle some mythsespecially those that have to do with the first steps of our children, with the first phases of their march. Here you will find up to 5 myths about the baby's first steps.
5 myths about the first steps of the baby
1. "If your child does not go to the year, he may have some psychomotor problem".
Children start walking between 1 and 3 years old. Each child has its rhythm of learning; it is true that certain factors influence such as having siblings, innate ability, size and weight, character, environment and stimulation without forcing.
Large, small, tall and short children have to develop their own balance and their anatomy can make the time they take different. But you do not have to worry if everything is going well in the child's podiatric check-ups.
Simply monitor this process if it is too slow, (normal is that at 2 years and walk) and if so, make a review to rule out any disorder.
Our recommendation is that you feel calm if the year passes and you do not take your first steps. Never force yourself to take steps taking one of your hands or both up to walk, can cause problems in the joints and ossification of the foot and leg.
2. "It is not good for you to crawl because then you will never want to walk".
Crawling is an important phase in the process of the child's psychomotor development. Like the previous thing, there are children who do not crawl and there are children who in excess. This excess because the child has confidence in his crawling should not be inhibited, on the contrary.
In principle you have to stimulate it by playing with it on the ground, putting toys to reach them and letting this phase end when you are ready to take your first steps.
The crawling has many beneficial characteristics, among them, advances at the level of coordination, neurological, visual, perception of the child of his own body and helps to adapt to the world around him.
If your child has crawled and begins to walk, but due to lack of confidence returns to the crawling, consider it normal and beneficial, since it will complete his psychomotor maturation, and when the time comes he will get back on his feet.
We recommend that you propitiate the crawl with clean spaces and without obstacles, that you have your favorite toys at your fingertips and avoiding long hours in the "little park".
3. "The boy started walking, but he fell and gave himself such a fright that he no longer walks".
The first thing is that you have to rule out that the fall caused any damage.
In those ages do not express pain sometimes. Observe if you use less of a limb, if your mobility is reduced, if you feel pain from pressure in any part of your body, and if your character has changed. Make sure, and if you notice something strange consult with the pediatrician and if the fall has affected the lower limb consult the podiatrist.
In case you confirm that it was only the fright, motivate him without pressure because once he feels trust again he will walk again. You must take your time until trust returns.
4. "Stumbling and falling, the child learns to go".
This saying is partly true but we can not take it literally. Many physiological, neuronal and sensorial parameters influence the learning of gait; naturally the child will fall and stumble until his gait is stable. You are learning coordination, adapting to your new posture, you need some time. See if it progresses even slowly; falls and trips should gradually decrease and until 8 or 12 months after starting to walk, frequent falls are considered normal.
If you recognize that in some capacity it does not advance or the falls increase instead of decrease, consult your specialist.
In addition, it always values the fall, if it has produced damage, and especially before any blow to the head; You will have to observe it for 24 hours, and before an abnormal sign, you should see your doctor immediately.
Do not express your displeasure before the child when he falls and injures himself, or alarms him; confórtale and ask with affection if it hurts somewhere, and if it's okay, encourage him and keep calm. It is a moment of insecurity or fear for the child, he will observe your ability to face the problem and by acting correctly you will be helping him in his development.
Remember also that footwear is a fundamental element in walking, a slippery sole with a smooth pavement can favor falls.
5. "He has the steps of his father / mother".
We can not exclude genetic inheritance in the form of starting to walk, your body will be in many parts very similar to that of your parents.
The time it will take to walk, if you crawl, your postures can be inherited. In a way it is a very valuable information that gives us many clues to protect the health of the child.
However, the marching pattern in the child is acquired and not inherited, so in most cases the one that resembles his parents at the time of walking does not exempt that certain pathology can be established in the lower limbs.
Check with your podiatrist any type of doubt about your child's feet and share your concern about any pathology that you think you can inherit. Your early approach will prevent your child from suffering from it.
Source: Unit of Podiatric Pediatric University Clinic University of Extremadura (UEX)
