Babies love to sit. They love to stand even more. Parents will put babies in those positions because they look adorable AND it seems to make the baby very happy. Show
Babies love to stand because they get to see the world from a completely different point of view. However, there are several reasons not to do this before they’re ready. 1. Babies who stand before they’re ready can be bow-legged. Putting them in the standing positions is also problematic for their developing spine. The same goes for sitting. When you put a baby in a sitting position, if they fall forwards or backwards, it means they are not ready to be sitting. Don’t let them stay in that position for long. Bumbo seats are designed to keep baby in sitting positions before they are ready, do not put your baby in one of those. It is detrimental to their development. 2. Holding your baby up to stand or putting them in contraptions that keep them in those positions, like the walkers, are very bad for your baby. Children who are put in those contraptions tend to move on to the next movement milestone (sitting, crawling, pulling up, walking) LATER because they don’t have the motivation to learn to do those things on their own. Even more importantly, they don’t develop the proper cause and effect, “When I do this, I get to see this.” Instead, they don’t need to do anything and they get to see the world from the point of a view of someone sitting or standing. It skews their understanding of their body and movement – which is something they spend so much time exploring and learning the first couple years of life. So help them develop the proper cause and effect of movement. Be patient with them. Allow them to reach the stage where they can pull up to stand on their own. The joy and confidence they develop when they can finally do it by themselves is a priceless gift you can give them. Other Posts You May Enjoy
Filled In: 0-6 months, 1-2 years old, 6-12 months, Toys and activities, Toys and activities, Toys and activities, Work & Play Baby swimming: Both the literature and practice indicate that children can stand without support starting at around 9 months old. "But with some training, children can stand much sooner than that, even before they're 4 months old," says Professor Hermundur Sigmundsson at NTNU's Department of Psychology. Snorri Magnússon teaches a baby swimming course in Iceland. Babies in the programme do various exercises, including standing in-hand and on a corkboard. Sigmundsson and his colleagues have used results from Magnússon's practice for a recently published article in Frontiers of Psychology. Babies learn and don't forget The babies are given the opportunity to stand as part of a 12-week baby swimming course, with twice weekly one hour sessions. "The results are sensational compared to what we normally expect of children at this age," said Sigmundsson. Of the 12 children who participated in the course that the researchers studied, 11 managed to stand on their own for more than 15 seconds by the end of the sessions. The 12th baby also managed to stand for a good 8 seconds. Instructor Snorri says this is a common experience. "On average, the children were 4.3 months old when they learned to stand without support. The youngest was only 3.6 months old," says Sigmundsson. He points out that once the babies learn to stand, they don't forget how. The study can provide us with more information about how we develop balance and the ability to control our movements. Practice also seems to work for the youngest among us. These children are practising how to stand. So they get good at it -- very fast and very young. You get good at exactly what you practise "Children can do more than we think," says an enthusiastic Sigmundsson. This corresponds to other studies Sigmundsson has conducted on mathematical skills. You get good at exactly what you practice, like algebra or equations, not mathematics in general. This study was a collaborative effort with Associate Professors Håvard W. Lorås and Monika Haga, both at NTNU's Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science. It is a moment that parents get very excited about as their little one transitions from babyhood to toddlerhood!After working as an early childhood special education teacher for 6 years I can tell you these milestones will come at different times for every child. It is important to remember that all babies are unique. Just because someone else’s baby is doing something does not mean your baby is behind or not meeting their milestones. Listen to your gut…if you ever do have concerns make sure to get those addressed by your pediatrician or early intervention. When I look at my two children they have developed very differently! My daughter started rolling before my son did. My son started crawling earlier than my daughter. They were both on different timelines, and their rate of development still fell within the range of “normal.” If your baby pulls to stand at 6 months that is “normal.” If your baby pulls to stand at 10 months…that is considered “typical” as well! There is a wide range of “normal” when it comes to infant development. Here are some of the things we will cover in this post:
 (This post contains affiliate links. To read our full disclosure policy click here.) Baby Standing Milestones: Everything You Need to KnowWhat age do babies pull themselves up to stand? Babies typically start pulling to stand sometime between 6-10 months. This will vary from one infant to the next. Is it bad for babies to stand too early? Some babies like to be in an upright standing position when playing while others do not. Is early walking a sign of intelligence? Babies will walk on their own time and although meeting milestones early can be exciting but it does not ensure that your child is “gifted”. How do babies learn to stand on their own? Babies will use the support of a person or furniture as they build up leg strength and confidence. What age do babies stand?Babies can usually bear most of their weight on their legs by about 5-6 months when held in a standing position. Babies tend to pull to stand up to furniture anywhere between 6-10 months. You can expect your little one to stand well without support anywhere between 12-14 months. Keep in mind all babies are different and will meet their milestones on their own timeline. If your baby was born premature you will also want to use an adjusted age calculator (like this one) to help you track their development. What skills come before standing?From the moment your baby is born they are working on the skills that will someday help them stand. When they are a newborn they start the process by kicking their legs to build strength. A young infant that is able to tolerate short amounts of tummy time which is strengthening the core muscles which are vital when it comes to learning to stand. Tummy time when your baby is young is so important to building all the muscles needed for crawling, standing, and walking. You can read more in-depth about tummy time HERE. Infants will also start to bear weight on their legs for short increments of time around 4 months (source). As they get older they will be able to remain in a standing position for longer with your assistance. Rolling is another skill that happens before your baby is able to stand up. MANY muscles are working and lots of coordination is required when your baby flips from tummy to back (which usually happens first) and from back to tummy. Keep in mind though that ALL infants are different. My son rolled from his tummy to back first…my daughter was the opposite. Sitting is another important milestone that typically happens before a baby stands on its own. Sitting requires lots of core strength which will help build those muscles even more for standing and walking. Expect sitting to happen somewhere between 6-9 months. Crawling and standing usually start around the same time at about 7-9 months. Some babies do skip crawling and go straight to walking. What toys will help my baby build the strength to stand?You do not need to buy any special toys to help your baby walk or stand. You can use yourself or things around the house to help motivate your little one. Setting toys that they like up on the couch can be a perfect way to encourage them to cruise alongside of it or just play in the standing position. Baby activity centers that allow your baby to cruise around can be a fun toy for them to explore while in a standing position but are definitely not necessary to help your little one learn to stand. The best toys to help with baby standing are the ones that motivate your baby to move. What can I do to help my baby stand?There are lots of ways to encourage your baby so that they can gain the skills needed to stand. Teaching your baby to pull up to stand can be done through play and daily routines. Let’s take a look at how you can help them from the very beginning: Newborn
3-6 Months
6-9 Months
9-12 Months
Standing Milestones You Can ExpectStarting to Bear Some Weight on LegsAt about 3-5 months you can expect your baby to start bearing some of their weight on their legs when placed in a standing position. Bears Most of Their Weight on LegsAt around 5-6 month your baby may start to really show interest in being in a supported standing position. By this age, they should be able to bear most of their weight on their legs when placed in an assisted standing position. Pulls to Standing Position Using FurnitureWhen do babies pull themselves up on furniture to a standing position?Anywhere from 6-10 months, you can expect your baby to start using furniture to pull up on. It is a good time to check your crib height to make sure it is low enough so that they can’t fall out if they were to pull up on the railing. Lowering from Standing to SittingHas your baby pulled up to stand next to something…only to find out they don’t know how to get back down? This is very common as typically they learn to pull up to stand before they figure out how to reverse. Your little one will learn how to lower themselves back down to a sitting position at around 9-10 months. When do babies stand?Standing Briefly Without SupportYou turn around to look at the dog barking only to turn back and see your baby standing with no support! Maybe they took their hand off the couch to start testing the new waters. Such an exciting time as you know what will be coming next! You can start watching for your baby to start standing for a couple seconds here and there at about 9-13 months. Stands Well With Out SupportThe moment you have been waiting for…your baby is standing! So when do babies start standing? Somewhere between 11-14 months, your baby will have the strength to stand well on their own with no support. Looking Through LegsAfter your baby has been standing for a while they will continue to master their balance and new skills. Being able to bend and look through their legs is something that happens usually between 14-16 months. You may see this occur during playtime or while looking for toys or a ball that has been thrown. Stands On One Foot With AssistanceNow that your little one has mastered standing on two feet they will be up for the next challenge. Standing on one foot requires lots of balance and coordination. You can expect them to start trying out this skill around 16-17 months. Make sure that you give them the support they need when they are trying this out. You can even have fun with this by modeling it for them. Squatting During PlaytimeSquatting is a very functional skill that happens during play time or while cleaning up. When your little one has the strength and coordination they will begin to use squatting often to retrieve toys. Squatting typically happens around 20 months. Standing on TiptoesHas your child started to get to things that use to be out of reach? When your toddler is able to stand on their tiptoes you may want to baby proof yet again as they will be able to get into things they couldn’t before! You can expect your child to start standing on their tiptoes sometime around 23-27 months. My baby isn’t standing…should I be concerned?If you are concerned about your baby not being able to stand or any developmental milestone you should contact your pediatrician or the early intervention program in your area. Early intervention can meet with you and will provide you with a free screening or evaluation to address your concerns and make sure you little one is on track. You can read more about early intervention services here. Always listen to your gut. If you feel like something is not right, go seek help. What red flags should I watch out for?Babies will develop on their own timeline and there is a range of normal when it comes to development. However, here are some things that you can pay attention to as your baby develops: Muscle Tone Is your baby very stiff and rigid? Is your baby “floppy” and has trouble supporting themselves? These are both reasons to give your pediatrician a call. Uneven Strength Is your baby weaker on one side than the other? Do they only reach with one hand? Skill Regression Does your baby have a skill but then lose it? Schedule a visit with your pediatrician if this occurs. My Baby is standing! What milestones should I expect next?What an exciting milestone for your baby to hit! Now that your baby is standing I am sure that you can guess what comes next. If you guessed walking…you are correct! Babies typically start walking with both hands held between 10-12 months. Walking independently usually happens anytime between 13-15 months. As your baby…or should I say toddler gains strength and coordination their walking will become more steady and fewer falls will occur. My baby stopped talking while learning to stand and walk…should I be concerned?This was something I saw happen a lot while I worked in early intervention. Sometimes babies may become so focused on their motor milestones that they may talk less or become more quiet. However, if you have concerns with your baby’s language development or you feel that their skills are regressing ALWAYS talk to your pediatrician or give early intervention a call. What shoes work best for babies to learn to stand and walk in?Having your baby barefoot is the BEST option to help your baby learn to stand or walk. Are you surprised by that? Here is why barefoot is best: Baby’s need to be able to feel the earth beneath their feet in order to learn balance and control. They use their toes to help balance as well and having shoes and socks on can make this difficult to do. If you must put shoes on your baby try a pair with a flexible sole when they are learning to walk. These are the ones we used with my son and they worked perfectly (and they are super cute!) What activities encourage baby standing?Your baby can practice standing while you go about your daily routines. For example, if you are having some floor time, set the toys up on the couch and have your baby play in a standing position while you give them support. If you are doing laundry with your baby you can use the basket as something for them to hold on to while they practice standing. Get creative! Always watch your baby’s cues and if they seem tired…make sure to give them a break! Explore New SurfacesExplore different surfaces with your baby when they are learning to stand or walk. Bring them to different rooms in your house and let them explore barefoot. Put them on floors that have carpet, tile, or any other type, and let them explore barefoot. Bring them outside and do the same. Let your child try to walk on the grass and see how they react. If they seem uncomfortable or scared you may need to introduce it more slowly. Will an exersaucer help my baby learn to stand and walk?Exersaucers do not teach your baby to learn to stand or walk. You are the “best toy” your baby can use to help with standing. They are fine to use for short periods of time (about 15 minutes) but it is not a good idea for them to spend long amounts of time in them. (Source) What will NOT help your baby learn to standDo not rely on baby walkers or bouncers to teach your baby to stand and walk. Baby walkers have been deemed unsafe by the APA (read more about that here.) Bouncers, exersaucers, and jumpers can be ok to use for short amounts of time only. You will also want to look closely at the manufactures guidelines as to how your baby’s feet should be positioned in one of these toys. Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE. Will standing too early cause my baby to be bowlegged?Are you concerned about your baby standing too early? You do not need to worry about your baby becoming bowlegged from standing early. All children follow different timelines. You can read more about this debunked myth Safety Concerns When Your Baby is Learning to StandThe biggest safety concern when your baby is learning to stand is the risk of falling over. It is important to give your baby the proper support they need to avoid falls and injuries. Watch your baby’s cues as well. Do they seem tired? Standing is a lot of work so they may only want to bear weight on their legs for short bits of time to start with. As they get older and build more muscle they may be able to tolerate a longer amount of time in the standing position. Baby Proof Your House for New MilestonesYou will want to baby proof your house again to accommodate new dangers that present as your little one becomes more mobile. Here are a few things you will want to check on:
I think that covers just about everything! Have a parenting question? Make sure to follow on Instagram! Related Posts You Will Enjoy 6-9 Month Motor Development When do babies say “mama”? How to Encourage Toddler Development at the Park Best toys for babies 0-12 Months How to Choose the Best Activity Table for Your Baby Kayla ONeill Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children. Is it OK to let a 3 month old stand up?When do babies stand with support? Around 3-5 months old, you will be able to hold your baby upright and they will be able to support weight on their feet for short periods of time. You are still supporting most of their weight for them. They may bounce up and down a little bit too!
Is it OK to let my 2 month old stand up?Some younger infants are able to stand up with support and bear some weight on their legs between 2 and 4 1/2 months. This is an expected and safe developmental stage that will progress to pulling up independently and won't cause them to have bow-legs.
Can babies get bow legged from standing too early?Your child won't become bowlegged standing or bouncing on you; that's just an old wives' tale. Moreover, young babies are learning how to bear weight on their legs and find their center of gravity, so letting your child stand or bounce is both fun and developmentally stimulating for them.
When can you start standing a baby?Baby will begin standing by pulling on something to stand with support. Usually around 7-12 months baby will start pulling themselves up to stand. The object they pull on and use for support can be anything at their height that helps them feel steady, like a piece of furniture or someone's hand.
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