Crawling and walking open up whole new worlds for your baby. Never underestimate your baby's ability to get where she's going quickly. The move faster than you may have thought, and she can probably reach things you didn't think she could reach. Always be one step ahead of your crawling or walking baby.
Stairs are of particular interest to babies at this age, so if you haven't installed those baby gates yet -- no time to lose.
Keep your baby's crib clear of any pillows or stuffed animals to prevent your baby from climbing on them, and falling out of her crib.
No need for shoes just yet, crawling and walking barefoot strengthens your baby's leg muscles and arches in their feet. Your barefoot baby will develop better balance, faster.
So, your baby is crawling. Maybe it's time for you to "get moving" too. There's no need to hire a babysitter, however. Consider jogging with your baby in tow.
Of course, talk to your paediatrician about your baby's neck control and readiness for the jostling involved in a jogging stroller. It's usually recommended that parents wait until their children are 6 to 8 months old before taking them for a jaunt across the park.
As always, we recommend that you follow manufacturer's guidelines and use common sense when using any exercise equipment for your child. If you've purchased a jogging stroller for your child, pay careful attention to the instructions for your stroller, and the recommendations within the guides.
For instance, sticking to a fairly smooth surface will reduce the amount of jostling and shaking that happens in the stroller with your child.
We Recommend that you refer to An Athlete's Guide to Running Strollers at Runnersworld.com. They provide fantastic reviews of strollers on the market, as well as a listing of safety features with each stroller.
According to the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, "Nobody we have met in the injury prevention field recommends taking an infant of less than 12 months in a bicycle child seat, trailer, sidecar or any other carrier. Nobody. And we do not either."
The League of American Bicyclists warns that a "rear-mounted bicycle seat makes the bike less stable. When you get off the bicycle, the weight of the carrier and your child can cause the bike - and your baby - to topple over."
Safety considerations:
Babies naturally love water. After all, it was their natural habitat for nine months. Teaching your child proper safety practices around water, and learning to swim may increase their chances of survival, should they ever encounter an unsafe water situation.
According to Babies Can Swim!, All of the Benefits That May Surprise You! in Brainworld Magazine, a study at the National Institute of Health discovered that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1-4 years.
There is no specific age requirement for your baby to begin formal swimming classes.
Most classes begin around six months of age and include a parent. Parent and child classes can be a positive and pleasurable way to introduce your child to swimming lessons.
Temperature is a consideration for young infants who get cold easily - keep it slightly warm and limit time in a cold pool.
Avoid overly chlorinated pools. Look for pools that are ozone filtered and baby friendly. Be sure to use "swim diapers." Your fellow swimmers will thank you. It's also a good opportunity to teach your baby that pool water is for swimming, and not swallowing.
Is there a place for rough play in the life of your baby and young child? Different views exist on this topic. Dads, in particular, tend to engage in this kind of play with their children. Richard Fletcher, leader of the Fathers and Families Research Program at the University of Newcastle in Australia, told ABC News, "Rough and tumble play between father and their young children is part of their development, shaping their children's brain so that their children develop the ability to manage emotions, and thinking, and physical action altogether."
If your play borders on the side of roughhousing, be cautious of "Nursemaid's Elbow" which is a partial dislocation of the elbow joint. Ligaments in children aged 1 to 4 years old are loose and bones are not fully formed, making it easy for bones to slip in and out of place.
Avoid lifting your child by the hands or wrists, or swinging your toddler by the arms. Always grab children under the arms. Jerking a child by the hand or wrist is not recommended.
