Cruising is when baby, who until now has been a creeper on her hands and knees, pulls herself up onto furniture or other objects and walks while using the furniture for support. She should begin to lift herself into the walking position called cruising at the end of this level. Cruising is a difficult task at first and baby usually acts very cautiously, like a rock climber who carefully moves each foot a short distance while keeping a tight grip on the rock face.   

In a natural environment baby can cruise by using tree roots, trunks, branches or logs, large rocks or other suitable land formations for support. In a modern built environment baby can cruise by using, for example, furniture, walls, gates, fences and railings for support. 

After learning to get up baby needs a ‘cruiseway’.

When baby begins to cruise she needs a suitable pathway or ‘cruiseway’ on which she can travel. 

A cruiseway is made by parents placing large and stable objects such as furniture in a row and close alongside each other. Baby can then hold onto the objects while cruising. Also suitable for making a cruiseway are large cardboard boxes filled with heavy objects that will not move while baby cruises.

Ideally the cruiseway will be made from furniture that baby can easily hold onto while she pulls herself up into a standing position prior to cruising. Furniture such as chairs with rungs between the legs, or lounge chairs with cushions removed, can be useful for this purpose. The furniture should also be stable so it does not slip when baby puts her weight on it. Ideally she will be able to pull herself up and move from one item of furniture to the next with ease.  Encourage baby to use her cruiseway ten times each day.