Climbing onto your chest – your body is the new mountain

What you need 

• Your sofa or a chair 

What to do 

1. Provide safe opportunities for your baby to climb and balance.  
2. Sit on the sofa with your baby on the floor.  
3. Encourage them to climb up onto your lap.  
4. When they reach your lap, hold them gently and slowly wiggle your knees.  
5. This may sound a little strange, but when you move your knees, your baby will try to secure themselves and find their balance. This is a very important part of climbing, as the more balance your baby has, the more controlled their movements will become.   

Good to know 

If you’re concerned about your baby's safety on the sofa, lie down on the floor and encourage them to climb up your body. Try to slowly rock your shoulders and chest just enough for your baby to practise retaining their balance when they reach your chest.