When Do Babies Start Pulling to Stand?
When your baby is first born, it may feel like you have plenty of time before they become mobile. It might seem that way, but in the blink of an eye, your little one will be itching to get around on their own! Before your baby can walk, they will have to first learn to hold their head up, sit up independently, and eventually pull themselves into a standing position!
Pulling themselves up on their own is a huge milestone for babies. This will eventually lead to them learning to walk! This also helps build the muscles necessary that they will need to cruise around on their own. Not sure when your baby should be using those baby biceps and chunky legs to pull themselves up? Continue reading to learn more!
Standing and Pulling
As with every other milestone, not every baby will hit them at the same time. Babies will typically begin pulling themselves up and standing between nine and twelve months, give or take a couple of months. While this is the usual timeframe, it is still considered normal if your baby is still completing this milestone by the time they are 18 months old.
If you have any concerns, it is best to give their pediatrician a call. Additionally, don’t feel like your baby needs to learn this skill entirely on their own. There are things you can do to strengthen their legs and encourage them to start standing!
Assisting Your Baby to Pull to Stand
Some babies (like my son) are stubborn and want nothing more than to stay cuddled up in your arms. Who needs to walk when you’ve got mommy to carry you wherever you want? These babies might need a little extra support and encouragement to get them going! If you find your baby falling behind on their milestone of pulling themselves up to stand, be their biggest fan and cheerleader and help them learn to pull themselves into a standing position.
The most crucial factor in your baby pulling themselves up to stand is to have enough strength in their legs to do so. You can do this by:
Allowing your baby to spend plenty of time on the floor. It is important for them to learn how to get used to their own independence and eventually get around on their own. Designate a specific area for your baby that is safe and enticing for them to play in, and you may find your baby reaching for something they want!
Finding sturdy furniture that your baby can pull themselves up on. This can be a secure coffee table, couch, or even a stool. You will want to be sure that there is no chance that the piece of furniture can slip and cause your baby to fall if they try to use it as support.
Saying goodbye to the shoes. Babies learn the world around them by engaging in their senses, which includes their sense of touch! Keeping your baby barefoot allows them to feel more connected to the environment around them. Unless you are going outside in cold temperatures, keep your baby out of foot prisons (shoes).
Babyproofing your home. Before your baby can move, you can set them down to play to make a cup of coffee and return with them to the same spot. When they start to boot, scoot, and crawl, this is no longer the case! Change their mattress to the lowest setting and choose baby sleep sacks instead of blankets, place bumpers on any sharp corners, and secure your furniture to the wall with hardware. This will give you peace of mind that your little roadrunner won’t be crushed by any furniture!
When to Contact The Pediatrician
Your baby isn’t hitting their milestones within the normal timeframe. Try not to stress immediately! Babies work on their own timelines and will usually nail milestones when they are good and ready. For example, my daughter went from almost completely nonverbal on her second birthday to speaking five-word sentences by her third birthday! Every child is different and should not be compared to their peers.
Although comparison is the thief of joy, be sure to trust your instincts. If you truly believe that your child is falling too far behind or is showing concerning behaviors or symptoms, be sure to call their physician to discuss this. If this delay is accompanied with missing milestones such as those below, it’s definitely worth contacting a pediatrician:
Bear some weight on legs
Rolling over
Sitting up (at nine months)
Babbling
Laughing
Responding to games (think peekaboo or patty cake)
Responding to their environment
Trying to get your attention through their actions
If you notice your child not achieving some of these milestones along with being unable to pull themselves up, it’s important to discuss this with their physician so they can be evaluated.
Monitor Your Baby’s Progress with Baby Connect
Giving your baby the chance to work out their muscles is important to your baby’s development. The more exercise your baby has, the stronger they will get, making it easier for them to pull themselves into a standing position. Every baby will hit this milestone at different times, but generally, they will be able to complete this milestone between nine and twelve months.
Keeping track of how much practice your baby is getting will help ensure they are spending enough time honing their skills. Downloading Baby Connect allows you to track how much time your baby is spending trying to stand. You can also monitor how much formula your baby is drinking and how many bowel movements they’re having a day! This app is easy to use and is perfect for tracking all of your baby’s important milestones.
