My Baby Walks on Hands and Feet
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about walks on hands and feet, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Bear walking, where a baby walks on their hands and feet with their bottom up in the air, is a normal movement pattern. It shows excellent upper body strength and coordination. Many babies bear walk as a transitional movement before walking upright, and it is not a cause for concern.
Key takeaways
- Bear walking, where a baby walks on their hands and feet with their bottom up in the air, is a normal movement pattern. It shows excellent upper body strength and coordination. Many babies bear walk as a transitional movement before walking upright, and it is not a cause for concern.
- Usually normal when: Your baby bear walks as one of several movement patterns and is also crawling or cruising.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was walking upright and has gone back to bear walking or lost other motor skills.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, bear walking, where a baby walks on their hands and feet with their bottom up in the air, is a normal movement pattern. It shows excellent upper body strength and coordination. Many babies bear walk as a transitional movement before walking upright, and it is not a cause for concern. At 8-10 months, bear walking at this age shows impressive strength and coordination. Your baby is experimenting with different ways to move and building the strength they need for walking. Some babies bear walk as their primary form of mobility, and that is perfectly fine. It is actually a great sign of core and upper body strength. It is generally considered normal when your baby bear walks as one of several movement patterns and is also crawling or cruising. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was walking upright and has gone back to bear walking or lost other motor skills.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
8-10 months
Bear walking at this age shows impressive strength and coordination. Your baby is experimenting with different ways to move and building the strength they need for walking. Some babies bear walk as their primary form of mobility, and that is perfectly fine. It is actually a great sign of core and upper body strength.
10-12 months
Bear walking is common at this age as babies transition between crawling and walking. Many babies bear walk because they have figured out it is faster than hands-and-knees crawling. Your baby may be close to pulling up to stand and taking independent steps. Bear walking is a positive sign of motor development.
12-15 months
If your baby is still bear walking but also pulling to stand and cruising, they are developing typically. Some children bear walk right up until they start walking independently. If your baby is bear walking but not showing interest in upright movement or pulling to stand, discuss this with your pediatrician.
15-18 months
Most toddlers have transitioned to upright walking by now. If your child still prefers bear walking over walking upright, it is worth mentioning to your pediatrician, especially if they seem unable rather than unwilling to walk upright. A physical therapy evaluation can determine if there is any reason for the continued preference.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed walks on hands and feet and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 15 months and exclusively bear walks with no interest in upright walking.
- Mention if your baby seems to avoid putting weight through their knees when on the ground.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby bear walks as one of several movement patterns and is also crawling or cruising.
- Your baby is under 15 months and bear walking is their preferred but not only way to move.
- Your baby has good strength in all four limbs and uses both sides equally.
- Your baby is also pulling up to stand and showing interest in upright movement.
- Your baby is over 15 months and exclusively bear walks with no interest in upright walking.
- Your baby seems to avoid putting weight through their knees when on the ground.
- Your baby has difficulty transitioning from bear walking to other positions.
- Your baby was walking upright and has gone back to bear walking or lost other motor skills.
- Your baby seems to have pain in their knees, hips, or legs that causes them to avoid kneeling.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice walks on hands and feet — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby bear walks as one of several movement patterns and is also crawling or cruising — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 8-10 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby was walking upright and has gone back to bear walking or lost other motor skills.
Related Conditions
My Baby Isn't Crawling Yet
The age range for crawling is huge - some babies crawl as early as 6 months, others not until 10-11 months, and some skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking. What matters most is that your baby has some form of independent mobility (scooting, rolling, army crawling) by around 12 months and is exploring their environment.
My Baby Isn't Walking
The normal range for first independent steps is huge - anywhere from 9 to 18 months, and all of it is considered typical development. Many parents feel pressure when they see other babies walking early, but a baby who walks at 15 months is just as healthy as one who walks at 10 months.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is walks on hands and feet normal?
When should I call the doctor about walks on hands and feet?
When is walks on hands and feet normal?
What causes walks on hands and feet?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about walks on hands and feet?
Is walks on hands and feet normal at 8-10 months?
Is walks on hands and feet normal at 10-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for walks on hands and feet?
Does walks on hands and feet go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Walks on Hands and Feet.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed walks on hands and feet and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 15 months and exclusively bear walks with no interest in upright walking.
- Mention if your baby seems to avoid putting weight through their knees when on the ground.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is over 15 months and exclusively bear walks with no interest in upright walking.
- Your baby seems to avoid putting weight through their knees when on the ground.
- Your baby has difficulty transitioning from bear walking to other positions.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was walking upright and has gone back to bear walking or lost other motor skills.
- Your baby seems to have pain in their knees, hips, or legs that causes them to avoid kneeling.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of walks on hands and feet are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was walking upright and has gone back to bear walking or lost other motor skills.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Isn't Crawling Yet
The age range for crawling is huge - some babies crawl as early as 6 months, others not until 10-11 months, and some skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking. What matters most is that your baby has some form of independent mobility (scooting, rolling, army crawling) by around 12 months and is exploring their environment.
My Baby Isn't Walking
The normal range for first independent steps is huge - anywhere from 9 to 18 months, and all of it is considered typical development. Many parents feel pressure when they see other babies walking early, but a baby who walks at 15 months is just as healthy as one who walks at 10 months.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.