My Baby Can't Squat Down from Standing
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about can't squat down from standing, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Squatting down from standing and returning to standing is a skill that typically develops around 12-15 months. It requires good leg strength, balance, and coordination. If your toddler is newly walking, they may plop down rather than squat gracefully, which is normal. Most children squat well by 18 months.
Key takeaways
- Squatting down from standing and returning to standing is a skill that typically develops around 12-15 months. It requires good leg strength, balance, and coordination. If your toddler is newly walking, they may plop down rather than squat gracefully, which is normal. Most children squat well by 18 months.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 15 months and plops down rather than squatting.
- Call your doctor if: Your child could squat previously and has lost this ability.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, squatting down from standing and returning to standing is a skill that typically develops around 12-15 months. It requires good leg strength, balance, and coordination. If your toddler is newly walking, they may plop down rather than squat gracefully, which is normal. Most children squat well by 18 months. At 10-12 months, babies at this age who are just pulling to stand typically plop down or lower themselves by holding onto furniture. True squatting is not expected yet. Your baby is building the leg strength and balance needed for this skill. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 15 months and plops down rather than squatting. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child could squat previously and has lost this ability.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
10-12 months
Babies at this age who are just pulling to stand typically plop down or lower themselves by holding onto furniture. True squatting is not expected yet. Your baby is building the leg strength and balance needed for this skill.
12-15 months
As walking becomes more stable, squatting begins to develop. Your toddler may initially squat while holding onto furniture and gradually learn to do it independently. Early squats may be more like controlled falls, and that is fine.
15-18 months
Most toddlers can squat to pick up a toy and return to standing by 18 months. If your child consistently falls when trying to bend down, they may need more practice or may have balance or strength issues worth discussing with your pediatrician.
18-24 months
Squatting should be well established. If your toddler cannot squat at all, evaluation of leg strength, balance, and joint flexibility is recommended. Some toddlers with tight Achilles tendons have difficulty squatting with heels on the floor.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed can't squat down from standing and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 18 months and cannot squat to pick up a toy.
- Mention if your child always falls backward when trying to squat.
- 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 is under 15 months and plops down rather than squatting.
- Your toddler squats while holding onto furniture for support.
- Your child can squat briefly but loses balance sometimes.
- Squatting ability is improving over time.
- Your child is over 18 months and cannot squat to pick up a toy.
- Your child always falls backward when trying to squat.
- Your child seems to have stiff ankles or cannot get heels flat.
- Your child could squat previously and has lost this ability.
- Your child has sudden leg weakness or difficulty with other leg movements.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice can't squat down from standing — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 15 months and plops down rather than squatting — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 10-12 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 child could squat previously and has lost this ability.
Related Conditions
My Toddler Has Poor Balance
Toddlers are naturally clumsy - learning to walk, run, and navigate the world is hard work, and falls are a normal part of the process. Most kids take months to walk confidently and years to have truly good balance. However, if your toddler falls constantly, always to one side, or seems much more unsteady than other kids their age, it's worth having their pediatrician take a look.
My Baby Is Walking on Their Toes
Toe walking is extremely common when babies are first learning to walk and is usually nothing to worry about. Up to 5% of children toe walk at some point, and most outgrow it by age 2-3. It only becomes a concern if it persists past age 2 or if your child seems unable (rather than unwilling) to put their feet flat.
My Baby Walks with Stiff Legs
Some stiffness in early walking is normal as babies learn to coordinate their leg muscles. However, persistent stiff-legged walking that does not improve over weeks may indicate increased muscle tone (hypertonia) that should be evaluated. Most babies develop a more fluid walking pattern within a few months of starting to walk.
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 can't squat down from standing normal?
When should I call the doctor about can't squat down from standing?
When is can't squat down from standing normal?
What causes can't squat down from standing?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about can't squat down from standing?
Is can't squat down from standing normal at 10-12 months?
Is can't squat down from standing normal at 12-15 months?
Should I go to the ER for can't squat down from standing?
Does can't squat down from standing go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Can't Squat Down from Standing.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed can't squat down from standing and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your child is over 18 months and cannot squat to pick up a toy.
- Mention if your child always falls backward when trying to squat.
- 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 child is over 18 months and cannot squat to pick up a toy.
- Your child always falls backward when trying to squat.
- Your child seems to have stiff ankles or cannot get heels flat.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child could squat previously and has lost this ability.
- Your child has sudden leg weakness or difficulty with other leg movements.
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 can't squat down from standing are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child could squat previously and has lost this ability.
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 Toddler Has Poor Balance
Toddlers are naturally clumsy - learning to walk, run, and navigate the world is hard work, and falls are a normal part of the process. Most kids take months to walk confidently and years to have truly good balance. However, if your toddler falls constantly, always to one side, or seems much more unsteady than other kids their age, it's worth having their pediatrician take a look.
My Baby Is Walking on Their Toes
Toe walking is extremely common when babies are first learning to walk and is usually nothing to worry about. Up to 5% of children toe walk at some point, and most outgrow it by age 2-3. It only becomes a concern if it persists past age 2 or if your child seems unable (rather than unwilling) to put their feet flat.
My Baby Walks with Stiff Legs
Some stiffness in early walking is normal as babies learn to coordinate their leg muscles. However, persistent stiff-legged walking that does not improve over weeks may indicate increased muscle tone (hypertonia) that should be evaluated. Most babies develop a more fluid walking pattern within a few months of starting to walk.
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.