Get ready for crawling and walking with our essential parent guide. Baby-proofing tips, expert product advice, and supportive insight for every wobbly step ahead.
Quick Summary: Your baby is on the move - and it’s both exciting and a little overwhelming! This in-depth guide helps you prepare for crawling and walking with practical baby-proofing tips, helpful product suggestions, and plenty of reassurance. From gates to grippy socks, we’ve got you covered as your little explorer takes their next big steps.
Introduction
One minute you’re marvelling at how tiny your newborn looks in their cot, the next, you’re frantically googling “how to stop a baby opening kitchen cupboards”! If your little one is around six months old or older, chances are you’ve started to notice the early signs of movement: maybe a wriggle across the floor, a determined push up onto hands and knees, or that first wobbly pull-up to standing.
This is an incredibly exciting phase, your baby is beginning to explore their world in a whole new way. But as their curiosity (and reach!) grows, so too does the need to think about safety, home layout, and how to support their physical development without holding them back.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect in the coming months, from crawling to those very first steps. We’ll share practical tips on baby-proofing your home, choosing the right products; like baby gates, cupboard locks and playpens, and encouraging safe, confident movement as your little one becomes more mobile.
Whether you’re feeling excited, nervous, or a bit of both, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Let’s dive into the world of early mobility together, and help you feel ready for whatever your baby decides to explore next.
Understanding the Mobility Milestones
When Do Babies Start Crawling and Walking?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to movement milestones. Some babies are up on all fours by six months, while others prefer to bottom shuffle their way around well into toddlerhood and both are totally normal.
Generally speaking, most babies begin to crawl somewhere between 6 to 10 months. Walking usually follows between 9 and 18 months. That’s quite a range, which can understandably cause some concern if your little one seems “behind”. But it’s important to remember that babies develop in their own time, and how they move matters far less than the fact that they are moving.
Keep an eye out for signs that mobility is on the horizon: rocking on hands and knees, pushing up from the tummy, or repeatedly rolling in one direction. These are all cues that your baby is gearing up to get going and they often happen quickly, so now’s a great time to start preparing.
How Movement Develops in Stages
Before babies are confidently walking, they usually go through several smaller steps, each helping to build the strength, balance and coordination they’ll need later.
You might see:
- Rolling from front to back (and eventually back to front)
- Pivoting on the tummy
- Crawling (classic hands-and-knees or commando style)
- Pulling up to stand using furniture
- Cruising along the sofa or coffee table
- Brief standing without support
- First wobbly steps!
Every stage plays an important role. Even crawling, which some babies skip, supports essential motor skills, spatial awareness and coordination. If your baby finds a different way to get around, like bum shuffling or scooting, that’s okay too, the key is that they’re learning to move independently and explore their environment.
It can be tempting to rush ahead or compare your baby to others, especially in parent groups or on social media. But trust that your little one is following their own pace. Your job is to cheer them on, create a safe space and enjoy every wobbly moment of the journey.
Safety First: Baby-Proofing the Home
Securing High-Risk Areas
Once your baby starts crawling or cruising, they’ll find their way into places you’d never have imagined and usually at lightning speed! The first step in creating a safer home is identifying and securing high-risk areas, especially where falls or injuries are most likely to happen.
Baby gates are essential, particularly at the top and bottom of stairs, but they’re also useful for keeping certain rooms off-limits altogether (like the kitchen or bathroom). Look for pressure-fit or screw-fit options depending on your home layout and consider extra-wide gates or gate extentions for open-plan spaces.
Room dividers or freestanding safety panels can also be helpful if you need to block off play zones or fireplaces, and they’re often flexible enough to adapt as your child grows and your space changes.
Hidden Hazards Within Reach
Your home might seem baby-friendly now, but once your little one is mobile, you’ll start seeing hazards everywhere, because your baby will, too! Crawlers and cruisers love to explore, open things, and pull themselves up on furniture, so it’s time to think low.
Cupboard locks are a must for kitchens and bathrooms where cleaning products or sharp objects might be stored. You can choose between magnetic locks, adhesive catches or internal latches depending on your preference.
Corner protectors are another essential, especially on coffee tables, TV units, or low furniture with sharp edges at head height for toddlers. Don’t forget to check for loose cables, unstable lamps or anything that could tip if pulled.
Socket covers, while not as commonly recommended as they used to be, can be useful in certain households, especially if sockets are at crawling level and your baby is very curious.
Creating Safe Zones
As much as baby-proofing the whole house is ideal, it’s not always practical, especially when you’ve got other children, pets or a busy household. That’s where creating safe zones comes in.
Playpens can be a real game-changer. A good quality playpen offers a secure space where your baby can explore independently without getting into mischief, giving you a few moments’ peace to cook, take a phone call, or just have a hot cup of tea.
Soft floor mats can cushion tumbles and are perfect for creating a designated play area, especially on hard floors. Try to keep this space uncluttered, with a few stimulating toys, and rotate them regularly to keep things fresh.
Safe zones aren’t just about physical safety, they’re also reassuring for both you and your baby. You’ll feel more relaxed knowing they’re playing in a protected space, and they’ll gain confidence as they explore within safe boundaries.
Helpful Products for Little Explorers
Baby Walkers & Activity Centres
As your baby becomes more interested in standing and taking steps, you might start thinking about products like baby walkers or activity centres. These can be a great way to encourage movement in short bursts, giving your baby a chance to build strength and coordination while staying in one spot.
Some walkers allow babies to sit in and push themselves along with their feet, while others are push-along styles for more confident standers. If you choose to use one, always supervise closely and limit use to short sessions, they’re not a replacement for good old-fashioned floor time!
Stationary activity centres can also be a safe and stimulating place for your baby to play while upright. Many come with built-in toys and textures to support sensory development too.
Soft Helmets and Bump Protection
New movers are often a little wobbly, especially when they start pulling up and cruising. While bumps and tumbles are part of the learning process, there are products that can give both you and your baby a bit more confidence.
Soft protective helmets are designed to cushion small falls and are particularly useful on hard flooring or in homes with sharp corners. They’re lightweight, breathable and often adjustable, so your baby won’t feel restricted while wearing one.
Of course, helmets aren’t essential for every family, but if your little one is especially adventurous (or your nerves are a little frayed!), it can be a helpful option to consider.
Clothing & Footwear Tips
What your baby wears can make a big difference as they become more mobile. For indoor play, barefoot is best, it helps develop balance, muscle strength and grip. If your floors are chilly or slippery, opt for grippy socks or soft-soled slippers with non-slip bottoms.
When choosing clothes for crawling, look for soft, flexible fabrics that allow full range of movement. Avoid anything too tight around the knees or waist, and consider knee pads or padded leggings if you have hard floors and your baby is crawling a lot.
Encouraging Safe, Confident Movement
How to Support (Without Rushing) Their Development
It’s natural to want to help your baby every step of the way, literally. But one of the best things you can do at this stage is to give them the time and space to figure things out on their own. It might be slower (and a bit wobblier), but allowing your little one to explore movement at their own pace is so important for their confidence and coordination.
Try to avoid “propping” your baby into sitting or standing positions they can’t reach on their own just yet. Instead, let them move through the stages naturally, from rolling to crawling to pulling up, as this builds all the muscles and skills they need for the next phase.
If your baby gets frustrated during tummy time or falls over when trying to cruise, offer comfort and encouragement, but resist the urge to step in too quickly. Trust that they’re learning through every attempt, even the tricky ones.
Games & Activities That Boost Movement
Play is one of the best (and most fun!) ways to help your baby develop their mobility skills. You don’t need lots of fancy equipment either, just a bit of space, a few props, and your enthusiasm.
Some great movement-friendly activities include:
- Crawling tunnels or tents – great for building confidence and strength.
- Furniture cruising – set up safe, low furniture they can hold onto as they move.
- Rolling balls – encourage chasing and reaching.
- Dancing together – helps with rhythm, balance, and bonding.
- Follow-the-leader games – crawling or walking alongside them encourages imitation and engagement.
Rotate activities to keep things interesting and follow your baby’s lead, some days they’ll want to charge around the room, and others they might just want to sit and watch. Both are completely okay.
This stage isn’t about pushing progress, it’s about creating the right environment for growth and celebrating every small win along the way.
Final Thoughts: Preparing Yourself as Well as Your Home
As your baby becomes more mobile, it’s not just your home that needs adjusting, it’s your mindset, too. Watching your little one move independently for the first time can stir up all sorts of feelings: pride, excitement, worry, and even a little sadness as they take their first steps away from needing you quite so much.
That’s totally normal. This stage is one of the biggest shifts in early parenthood, your baby is learning to explore without you always by their side, and that can feel like a lot. But it’s also a beautiful reminder that you’ve created a safe, loving space that gives them the confidence to try.
Baby-proofing is never “one and done”, it’s an ongoing process that evolves as your child grows and discovers new abilities (and new ways to climb!). So don’t worry if you haven’t got everything sorted from day one. The most important thing is to stay alert, flexible, and kind to yourself as you go.
Keep in mind that every bump, tumble and wobble is part of their learning curve. You’ll be amazed by how quickly they adapt, and how much joy they find in simply being able to move. Your job? Cheer them on, keep them safe, and try not to trip over the toy pile while you do it!
You’ve got this, and we’re here to help every step of the way.
