Any moms with new walkers?
I love watching each stage of development and walking is especially fun. My 14mo old still resumes a high guard position when he's turning around and the clenches his fists if he has to be really focused.
It’s called the “high guard” position due to their raised arms, similar to a boxer.
When babies are just learning to walk, holding their arms up helps them find balance and center of gravity.
My theory is it might help kick on more than balance though.
Kind of like a baby version of the Jendrassik maneuver--a trick neurologists use to boost reflexes by tensing other muscles.
By locking in their upper body and then clenching their fists, I think they are increasing trunk tone as well as:
➡️ Priming their spinal cord for better motor output
➡️ Getting extra proprioceptive input for balance
➡️ Making sure their whole system is on high alert to stay balanced
I think it's their brain’s way of stabilizing the core as well as priming neuropathways to send and receive better input.
We always see as they get stronger and more coordinated, that the arms come down, and walking gets smoother. Eventually they adopt an arm swing and a heel toe pattern.
Their development is so amazing. Theeir brain is amazing-- all God's design. 🧠💪
#BabyMilestones #HighGuard #MotorDevelopment #PediatricChiro #Nervology