Baby has started walking… but dangerously arches back when falls over backwards. Help!

[LionMother24]

My 9/10 month old has just started toddling around and it’s terrifying. When she wants to pick something up, she squats and lowers her bum down (safe). When she wants to sit, she plops down onto her bum (safe). Falling over forwards, she puts her hands out to brace herself (safe). Falling over backwards, she loses her mind in a fit of rage, arches her back and directs herself headfirst backwards at the floor (NOT SAFE!).

I find this terrifying and hover behind her, waiting to catch her and break her fall. I’m worried this isn’t incentivising her to learn to fall backwards safely, as she often braces against me to stand up straight again without needing to fall or lower her bum down. When I catch her, I try and bend her body to teach her to lower her bum down. She often resists this strongly and arches more until I bend her back upright.

I don’t feel I can let her learn the hard way, and hit the floor with her head arched back as it could really damage her neck and spine…

What do I do?! I’ve wondered about getting the baby backpacks that have a cushioned pillow behind the head but worry they don’t encourage natural movement and hinder balance.

Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do? Is it just a phase I should wait out?

Thank you in advance!

I think generally 9/10 months is quite early to start walking. Of course it happens and is fine but as you’ve described there will still be little control over that movement. The pillow / backpack I think is a good idea in order to protect the head in this circumstance, I would also suggest a baby jail (one of those playpens) where she can do all of that moving around but you can pad it out to minimise injuries. That way you don’t have to watch her like a hawk when doing things around the house.

My DC were early walkers and I agree it is slightly terrifying. But with DC3 I was running around after three of them so I didn't have a chance to hover over him, and he turned out ok! I don't think there's much chance of her injuring her back and spine. It's not like a taller person falling as their centre of gravity is so close to the ground. Also this is quite a short phase and she will become more stable and less likely to fall soon. Try not to worry too much.