When babies start moving around, they often lose their balance and fall. This is perfectly normal and to be expected, as they are still learning how to control their body movements. But parents can’t help but feel overprotective whenever this accident happens.
How can you cushion their fall? Your curious explorers need a safe and comfortable place, whether in the nursery or outdoors. In this blog post, we’ll share with you a perfect place your growing toddlers can play and practice walking. Plus some tips on how to handle unwanted situations during your playtime with your baby.
How to Help Your Toddler Make Their First Walk
Walking is a big step for your toddler. It signifies their growing strength and coordination and enables them to explore their surroundings in a whole new way. But this poses some dangers, from wooden furniture to uncushioned floors. That’s why it’s important to monitor your little ones and take precautions to make them perfectly safe. But how?
#1. Gear Up Your Baby
Baby knee pads are designed to cushion your child’s knees as they learn to walk, and they can also help to prevent scrapes and bruises if your little one takes a spill. Baby shoes are another essential walking accessory.
While bare feet might be fine for crawling on the floor, they’re not ideal for taking those first tentative steps. Baby shoes provide support and traction, helping your child to keep their balance as they learn to walk.
#2. Don’t Panic; Instead, Observe
It’s natural to feel alarmed and worried when you see your baby fall. But it’s important to remember that babies are resilient. They’re built to bounce back from falls, and most of the time, they won’t even cry.
Rather than getting upset, try to stay calm. This is because your baby will look to you to decide how they should react. If you appear calm and matter-of-fact, your little one will likely take their cue from you and carry on as usual. Otherwise, they’ll feel discouraged and hinder their progress.
If your little one ever falls, check for any signs of injury. Look for cuts, bruises, or swelling. If the baby seems to be in pain or is not moving normally, then he or she may have suffered a more serious injury and should be seen by a doctor.
#3. Comfort Them
It can be tempting to try and brush off the fall, telling them they’re okay to console them. However, studies have proven great results from acknowledging the fall and showing empathy. This reassures your child that you understand how they are feeling and helps them to feel supported. Thus, ask if they are okay and see if they need help.
#4. Get Back to Playing
One of the most important things to do after your baby has an accident is to show them that it is safe to get back to walking. If they seem okay and no injuries need to be addressed, then let them know that it is safe to continue.
However, you need to make changes to their playing area to make it safe, then make that change clear. What things do you remove to create a safe and unobstructed space for them to practice?
- Remove any furniture or other little obstructions, such as toys.
- Keep the area well-lit so your baby can see where they’re going.
- As much as possible, watch over your kids when they learn how to walk to avoid serious accidents.
- Cover your hard floors with cushioned play mats.
Qualities of a Good Baby Play Mat for Your Kids to Walk On
Foam mats for your kids are a must-have for any nursery. They provide a soft, safe place for your baby to enjoy and explore. But what are playmats for?
In addition to being a great place for tummy time, your kids can also use this foam play mat for playing, standing, and walking. Most play mats are padded and waterproof. But the best foam play mat has these certain qualities you can’t find in average EVA foam mats.
Non-Toxic XPE Foam Play Mat
XPE foam is made from cross-linked polyethylene and is safe for kids to play on.
- BPA-free
- Phthalate-free
- No formaldehyde
Plus, it’s also super soft and gentle on the knees and elbows. It’s also more resistant and durable than EVA foam mats.
Foldable Mats
As much as you want to create a suitable space for your kids, you also want to keep your home clean and tidy. Normally, a play mat comes in a larger size than puzzle foam tiles. But you can simply fold the best baby play mats so you can play and store them easily.
Reversible Play Mat With Fun Patterns
You can choose a play mat with minimal designs. Still, illustrated foam mats with animals and letters can help teach basic concepts such as different shapes and bright colors. But what if you can have different patterns? Reversible mats come with two designs in one baby play foam mat, so your baby can have twice the fun!
Waterproof Mats
Other mats are made of liquid-absorbing foam that takes longer to wipe clean and dry. Good thing you can wipe your baby foam mat with a damp cloth! It won’t seep into the foam or stick on the surface.
But there are brightly-colored, oily stains that are quite tough to remove. Luckily, parents from Ashtonbee know how to clean baby foam play mats. Below is a guide:
- Wipe up any spills immediately. This will help to prevent stains from setting in.
- Vacuum the mat regularly using the soft brush attachment. This will help remove any dirt or crumbs accumulated on the surface.
- Spot-clean the mat as needed using gentle detergent and warm water. Rinse the mat thoroughly after cleaning to remove all traces of soap.
- If your play mat develops a strong odor, you can disinfect it using a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water.
Ashtonbee Can Make Your Dream Play Area Come True
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful as you help your little one make their first steps. Remember, letting your kids learn independence takes lots of patience and courage. But, eventually, they will be walking all over the place!
If you need a safe surface for them to practice on, Ashtonbee’s baby play mats meet all of our criteria—safe, soft, and easy to clean. Our mats are made with safety in mind and will provide your child with hours of fun while they learn. Get your foam play mats today, and let the learning begin! Don’t forget to check out our site for all your baby essentials!
