Physical Therapist Debunks Viral 'Lime Myth' for Baby Walking

A popular TikTok trend suggesting that holding limes can help babies walk has been debunked by a developmental physical therapist. Dr. Olivia Reyes, known as @thebabypt on TikTok, clarified that the ability to walk is not linked to holding limes but rather to a baby's independent standing skills. In a recent video, Dr. Reyes duetted with a clip showing a baby holding limes and attempting to walk. She explained that while the limes might offer a distraction or counter-balance, the crucial developmental milestone is a baby's capacity to stand unassisted for at least 10 seconds. "In order to walk, we have to be able to stand by ourselves independently, like he's doing here for at least 10 seconds," Dr. Reyes stated. She emphasized that the limes themselves have no inherent power to facilitate walking, and the baby's progress is solely due to their developing physical abilities and balance. This clarification aims to provide accurate information to parents, steering them away from unproven methods and focusing on genuine developmental indicators.