Not all babies are the same, so don’t be alarmed if your baby isn’t walking at a certain age. The time it takes for a baby to reach a particular milestone, like walking, can vary due to different body weights or even different personalities. Keep in mind a walking timeline is an approximation and not set in stone or an absolute requirement for every baby.  Some babies who are born prematurely may have more trouble reaching milestones at the same rate as other children born at full-term.  As well, sometimes babies are just frightened of letting go of your fingers and taking their first steps. So it’s very important to encourage and support your baby as they learn to walk and not to put too much pressure or stress on them. In fact, it’s just baby fat plumping their feet up. By around age 2 to 3, that extra “fluff” on their feet should melt away and you should be able to see their natural arches. Their feet may also curve inward, appearing like half moons, which is another infant holdover. Over time, their feet should straighten out. Also commonly known as “toeing-in”, pigeon-toed feet come from an internal tibial torsion, meaning your baby’s shinbones are turned inward.  This will correct on its own within six months of your baby’s first steps. If your baby still has pigeon-toed feet after six months, ask your pediatrician about stretching exercises to correct the problem. Some babies will have a natural desire to walk around on their tiptoes, which actually helps them develop their sense of balance. This is almost always a quirk that will go away on its own, but rarely, it can be an indication of a too-tight muscle in your baby’s heels or feet. If your baby cannot physically flatten their feet on their own, or if they are walking on their tiptoes past the age of 3, let their pediatrician know, as this could be a sign of a developmental issue. There may be signs of possible nerve, joint, or spinal issues. As they gain more confidence and becomes more comfortable with walking on flat, smooth surfaces, allow them to also try walking on an incline or on uneven surfaces. These new environments will help to develop your baby’s sense of balance.

Summary: Avoid comparing your baby’s development to other babies. Don’t be alarmed if it looks like your baby has flat feet. Be assured your baby’s pigeon-toed feet will straighten out on their own. Check your baby’s feet to make sure they can flatten them. Consult with your pediatrician if your baby falls excessively, their legs seem very stiff, or they continually stumble to one side. Let your baby explore as they get more comfortable with walking.


Regular exercise helps boost energy levels and metabolism, and even helps the brain. You should incorporate 4-5 days of exercise into your regular routine to help keep you energized and strong. Make sure to exercise a few hours before bed so it doesn't interfere with your sleeping patterns.  A study at the University of Georgia found that exercise was more effective than some medication to help boost energy and keep you awake. Regular exercise also helps improve the quality of your sleep.  Try walking, cycling, swimming, or hiking. Do something each day for 30 minutes that gets your heart rate up. If you are sitting at your desk and feel like nodding off, try getting out of your chair and moving around. Take a walk around the office, do a few jumping jacks, run in place, or even do some squats and crunches. This helps get your blood pumping and wakes you up.  A study at California State University found that a 10 minute walk kept you alert for 2 hours afterwards, while a candy bar only kept you alert for 1 hour and led to a crash afterwards.  Stretch. Get out of your chair and touch your toes, stretch your back, and stretch your arms overhead.Stretching gets your blood flowing. When sleepiness hits, try doing some simple yoga poses. Yoga can help warm up the body and work as a natural stimulant.  Start with cat-cow pose. Get on your hands and knees with your shoulders and hips over wrists and knees. Move your spine rhythmically. With every inhale, arch the back and lift the sitting bones and chest. When you exhale, round the back and tuck your chin and pelvis. Start in downward facing dog. Lift your right leg up behind you. Round your spine while drawing the knee to your chest. Round your upper spine upwards as you keep the pelvis low. The right thigh should be against your chest and your knee should be against your nose. Return to downward facing dog. Repeat with the left leg. This raises oxygen levels in the blood and helps improve circulation. Breathe through your abdomen for the most effective deep breathing.  Sit up straight. Place a hand on your belly. Inhale through your nose. Make sure your belly pushes your hand out while your chest doesn't move. Push the air out through your lips. Complete this exercise 10 times. Inhale and exhale quickly through your nose. Keep your mouth closed and relaxed. The breaths should be short. Then breathe normally. Try for 15 seconds, adding 5 seconds until you can do this for a minute. A study presented at the SLEEP 2012 conference found that obesity and excess weight gain caused daytime sleepiness. Diet and exercise can help lose weight, in addition to helping improve your energy levels.
Summary: Exercise. Move around. Do yoga. Breathe deeply. Lose weight.