It’s your baby’s 1st birthday, and just think how far he has come in those past 12 months. This is an exciting stage when your little one makes the big step from baby to toddler.

Baby’s first steps
One of the major milestones when leaving the baby stage behind is walking. Most babies start to walk between the ages of 10 and 18 months – so if your baby’s still not on two feet by then have a word with your GP.

They are many things you can do to encourage your child in taking their first steps. Watch Gurgle.com’s video on how to help your baby learn to walk.

Step by step
Step one to walking is when your baby takes his weight on his legs and bounces on your lap with your support (this can happen any time from five months onwards). He’s strengthening his muscles and getting ready for the off.

The next stage is pulling himself up to a standing position.
After that comes ‘cruising’ – moving around holding onto furniture for balance. Then some babies let go tentatively and practise their balance for a while before taking the first step. Others may simply let go and charge. These early steps will be unsteady – and even when he gets going your baby’s first real toddle will be a waddle, with feet turned out and his nappy-bottom swaying. From now on he’ll get more and more skilful and his walk more fluid.

How you can help
* Give him as much time out of the pushchair or car seat. He needs practice.
* Make the house safe so you can give his attempts free rein – and remember there will be many tumbles before he’s proficient at walking.
* Keep him barefoot – shoes aren’t necessary until he’s walking confidently alone – they can be clumsy.
* Give him confidence by holding his hands and walking behind him.
* Get him a pushalong truck to hold and walk with – keep it well away from steps and other dangers.

All in his head
Your baby’s new found mobility and strength are giving him the tools to become more knowledgeable about the world around him – for example, the difference between dry and wet (bath-time), warm and cold (meal times). He can also work out ‘cause and effect’ – for example, bang a drum and it produces a loud noise. And he’s beginning to match objects to the task in hand, such as a nappy goes on his bottom and a flannel is used to wash his face – all important for later on when he starts trying to match spoken words to the relevant object.

By 12 months, his fear of strangers is quite strong and you’ll notice him being clingier with you around people he doesn’t know. He’ll also be much more able to express his emotions (for example, anger or frustration if you take away his favourite toy) and he’ll understand that ‘no’ means ‘no’ even if he chooses to ignore it

MMR
At about 13 months your baby will get called for his first MMR jab (he’ll get a booster between the ages of 3 and 5). MMR stands for measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) and protects your baby from these three illnesses, all of which are highly infectious and easily spread. Measles and mumps can be serious (occasionally measles can even kill). German measles won’t make your child too ill, but if caught by a woman during early pregnancy will seriously harm her unborn baby. So it’s important to make sure your child is immune and can’t pass rubella on to a pregnant mum.

Occasionally there may be side-effects from the MMR jab. · Between six and 10 days after the jab, when the measles vaccine kicks in, your child may have a slight rash and a fever Very rarely – at about 21 days after the jab, when the mumps element kicks in – a child may have swollen glands and a temperature. If your child gets a rash of what looks like small bruises any time in the six weeks after the jab, get your doctor to check it out.

The supposed link between autism and the MMR jab which frightened many mums 10 years ago has now been dismissed by most experts. If you are concerned in any way, though, do discuss it with your GP. Don’t forget! Just after his first birthday your baby will be due a booster jab for Meningitis C and Hib. For more information on immunisations see www.immunisation.nhs.uk.