Tiny Steps, Big Milestones: How Occupational Therapy Helps Babies Learn to Walk
Walking is one of the most exciting milestones in a baby’s first year of life. As parents, you eagerly anticipate those first steps, but for some infants, learning to walk comes with challenges. Occupational therapy (OT) plays a crucial role in supporting gross motor development, ensuring that babies gain the strength, coordination, and confidence needed to take their first independent steps.
Why Some Babies Struggle with Walking
Walking requires strength, balance, coordination, and sensory integration. Some infants encounter challenges along the way due to:
Muscle Weakness: Babies with low muscle tone may struggle with the strength needed to pull up, stand, and step forward.
Balance and Coordination Difficulties: Walking requires controlled weight shifts, core stability, and coordination between both sides of the body.
Sensory Processing Challenges: Some babies have difficulty processing sensory input, making it harder to understand where their body is in space (proprioception) or feel comfortable moving.
Temperament and Motivation: Every baby has a unique personality. Some are naturally cautious and prefer to observe, while others are eager to move. A more hesitant baby may need extra support to build confidence. Transitioning from crawling to walking can be scary for some babies, making them more tentative about letting go.
How Occupational Therapy Supports Walking Development
Occupational therapists specialize in task analysis—breaking down complex skills like walking into smaller, achievable steps. At bwellbaby, we use play-based strategies to make learning to walk fun and engaging while supporting each baby or toddler to move at their own pace.
1. Strengthening Key Muscles
OTs provide activities to develop core, leg, and ankle strength, ensuring that babies have the stability needed to stand and take steps. Strategies include:
Encouraging squatting to pick up toys (great for building leg strength!)
Playing in tall kneeling to activate core muscles
Using push toys to practice weight shifting
2. Improving Balance and Coordination
Balance is essential for safe and confident walking. We help babies develop:
Static balance (holding a standing position)
Dynamic balance (adjusting to movement)
Coordination of alternating leg movements through crawling and cruising activities
3. Addressing Sensory Processing
For babies struggling with sensory input, we incorporate:
Barefoot play to improve tactile feedback
Movement activities (rocking, spinning, and bouncing) to enhance body awareness
Sensory-rich environments that encourage safe exploration
4. Modifying the Environment
An OT will assess your home to see how it supports or hinders your baby’s movement. Simple changes like adjusting furniture placement, providing stable surfaces, or using motivating toys can make a big difference.
5. Encouraging Motivation Through Play
At bwellbaby, we incorporate toys and games to make walking exciting. Whether it's placing a favorite toy just out of reach or playing interactive movement games, we ensure your baby stays engaged and eager to move.
When to Seek Occupational Therapy for Walking Delays
Every baby develops at their own pace, but if your little one is showing signs of difficulty, OT can help. Consider seeking support if your baby:
Is not pulling to stand by 12 months
Struggles with balance when standing
Prefers one side when cruising or stepping
Seems fearful of moving or letting go
Has difficulty transitioning from crawling to standing
Helping Your Baby Take Their Next Step
Learning to walk is an exciting milestone, and occupational therapy provides the support needed to make it a smoother process. At bwellbaby, we focus on meeting each baby where they are and helping them master the next small step (pun intended) toward independent walking.
If you have concerns about your baby’s gross motor development, contact us today to learn how occupational therapy for infants can help your little one walk with confidence!