Thinks he can walk - but he can't! It's dangerous!

The last two days my 9.5month old has decided he can walk - but he can't. :doh:

He pulls himself up onto something (like the couch or coffee table) and turns around and just starts walking across the room. He takes about 4 or 5 steps before he crashes. For some reason he all of a sudden thinks he can walk. I thought after a few good stacks (which he has had) his bravado would disappear but NO! Now I have to watch him like a hawk for fear he is just going to start walking. :wall:

Has your bub done this???? Any suggestions??

It's great that he has taken a few steps :dance: Very exciting! But wowa, is this how all babies start walking or is bubs a kamakazee kid? :redface:

Sounds like my DS. We have hard tile floors and it stresses me out too! This is just him learning - at this rate he'll probably get the hang of it really quickly. He's determined and brave and relishes a challenge - all excellent qualities!

Thanks Marcellus...beautiful way of looking at it!

Nope, this is how most babies seem to learn stuff. Just wait until he decides that he can run on the couch and climb the bookcase (which is where my 13 month old is at)... ;)

I think with any physical skill that a child (or anyone really) learns there is a period of getting it badly wrong before it becomes natural, which is why gymnasts use foam pits and crash mats when learning new techniques. Unfortunately babies have no built in sense of danger, or perhaps fortunately, otherwise they'd never get off their bums to take a step. Just make the space as safe as possible, he'll soon get the hang of it.

ETA: Marcellus - I agree that it's a lovely way to think of your DS' exploratory nature, I'm just inclined to think of mine as a complete nutter. LOL.

All replies to this thread so far have boys? :-P

Maybe it is a "boys will be boys" thing?

A 9 month old boy I used to babysit did the same...would MADLY push his little pushcar thing down the hall,screaming and laughing, going faster and faster and faster...then he would go so fast that the car would shoot off all on it's own and down he would go.

Wasn't hurt and didnt cry for long - just the shock of the fall I think.

This happened at least twice a day!

Excellent point Angela art student - we are all talking about boys so far!!! Wait and see if any replies are about girls!!!

Climbing the bookcase Suse??!! Scarey!

both my boys did this. It's great. I would film it :)

Nope, my little girl waited til she was 14 months before she decided to take her first confident steps, LOL! I think when they are younger they are just soooo gung-ho. It is great because he will be confidently walking before a lot of his peers. But I think they develop more of a sense of their surroundings the older they get.
He'll be right! You should be boasting ;) Like Suze said, kids learn by trial and error. It is totally awesome (though somewhat frustrating for us who are older and 'wiser') watching a kid do something over and over and over again regardless of how completely they fail,to one day finally get it right. That moment is sooooo satisfying (for everyone LOL!). And then, bam, onto the next challenge :)
Enjoy your little boy - he sounds wonderful!

Here's one (or two!) for the girls then. DD1 certainly did this (walked at 9-10 months) and DD2 has been doing it for about a month now. Her poor little head rebounds off our hardwood floors at least once a day. She also thinks she's ready to climb the staircase!

I think its one of those horrible things that you just have to get past. Obviously make it as safe as possible for him (remove sharp corners, as many pieces of furniture as you can etc), but otherwise just hope that he gets it all together very quickly. Of course, then he'll start doing things like DD1 does - makes a tower out of a piles of books, toys etc so that she can reach something on a higher shelf!

when i read your first post instantly i thought of finding nemo where marlin yells at nemo saying you think you can but you cant!

dont try and tell him he cant rather encourage him to slow down or use it as a game. put him by the couch and get him to walk to you!

Missymoo84 - I agree I should film it...will get DH to tomorrow!
Snacks - he has absolutley no idea about his surroundings. He just takes off! Will try to help him slow down.
LuluHB - glad some girls are in on the action! Your DD2 was v v early...would have been v scary! Your stories about what comes next scares me! So hard to let them explore (but safely)!
Ellibam - the game at the couch is a good idea - trying to teach him bit by bit! I have been trying to get him to slow down - he just takes off at 100 miles per hour - doesn't bother to get his balance. Crazy boy!