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Parenting

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Original poster

17 month old and stairs

4 replies

pablopatito · 09/10/2006 09:57

Our 17 month old used to crawl up the stairs, and crawl down the stairs backwards. This was great, all perfectly safe.

But recently, he's totally determined he doesn't want to do it this way. He wants to walk up and down the stairs holding onto the banister, exactly the way mom and dad do. This obviously isn't safe at all and requires numerous interventions by us to steady him.

Should we/can we try and force him to go up and downstairs the way he used to (crawling), or should we accept that he won't and hope he gets more steady with practice?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

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Kelly1978 · 09/10/2006 10:00

mine do this. they spend a lot of time at dp's aunts where they can reach the banister, and dt1 has spend aghes jsut walking up and down the stairs looking pleased with himslef! I don't think you can stop them, jsut watch them until they get a bit steadier.

PrettyCandles · 09/10/2006 10:02

Put a padded mat with a non-slip base at the bottom of the stairs.

Redlorry75 · 09/10/2006 10:04

I agree with Kelly. My DD used to climb the stairs on her hands and knees before she could walk, but as soon as she found her feet it was up and down on her feet.

We had stair gates top and bottom so she never used them when we were'nt there. And she's now 3! She has only had 1 fall down stairs which happened before she could walk, when my SIL let her go first and then ditracted her.

If he wants to do it let him - it can only omprove his confidence and stability, just make sure you're always there - behind when he goes up and in front when he goes down.

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mummysgirl1 · 09/10/2006 10:43

Further to Red Lorry's comments, I think this is OK as long as you are there to supervise. We had recently tried encouraging our daughter to go down on her tummy, making it into a game. We did this by helping her to slide on her tummy, supporting her as she went.

Chances are this is making a rod for our own back, safety wise, but it IS encouraging her to go on her tummy for the downward descent! We have a 3' square pillow at the bottom of the stairs - pain in the a*se says my hubby, but I recon it would catch her if it needed to.

Stairgates at top and bottom - we have put an extra lock on one of them!

Hope this helps!

Donner

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