According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) by 9 months, most babies will begin trying to stand on their own. This is not true for every baby as they achieve milestones at different paces. Avoid putting yourself under pressure, instead, work, play and help your baby learn how to achieve this milestone.
Here are simple day-to-day activities you can use to help your baby practice her standing skills.
1. Make sure the crib is safe and strong
If you baby is ready to stand, he most likely will start pulling up (standing with support) with his crib. Ensure the rails are strong enough to carry his weight and also the height is appropriate so he doesn’t tip over.
2. Teach balance with stairs
With stairs, your baby can practice pulling up. Place her in a sitting position next to the step and encourage her to pull up with the edge of the stairs till she learns balance. Be close by to supervise.
3. Clear up unsafe furnitures
Babies learn a lot with furnitures. This means the furniture within reach should be safe, strong and not easy to topple over. All furnitures must be sturdy enough for support. Be careful with breakable furniture or with sharp edges.
4. Place her toys high up
This will encourage her to reach for them. Put some of the toys on the couch, close enough for her to see them, high enough to make her stand to reach out for them. Soon she will be standing on her own without knowing it!
5. Bounce!
Let your baby stand in front of you and let him bounce up and down. This will strengthen his muscles and is also a fun activity for Mum, Dad and baby!
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