My baby crawls down stairs head-first?

Head-first, belly-down position going down stairs is very dangerous — it's an instinctive move, and most young children learn to go up before they learn to go down. The key rule: coming down is always done backward, feet first, holding on.

Here's what to do step by step:

• Start on a flat, low step (2-3 stairs, carpeted is ideal). Squat down, position baby behind you with knees bent too.
• Physically guide: place both their hands on the step or rail, turn them around toward the step on their belly. Extend one foot backward onto the next step down. Use a single verbal cue like "Down — step, step." When they succeed, a genuine (not over-the-top) smile is enough.
• When they make a mistake (head goes forward), pause, gently turn them back, and try again. Gradually reduce the physical guidance.
• Never leave them alone at the top of stairs — balance isn't solid yet at this age.
• Support backwards crawling or even bottom-sliding as temporary options — they're safer than head-first attempts.

Pediatricians say: physical guidance both up and down stairs is needed until the child masters both directions; leaving head-first crawling as "no big deal" increases fall risk. Usually they learn the correct way in 2-3 weeks with this method.