My Baby Walks with Arms Up in the Air
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 walks with arms up in the air, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Walking with arms held up high (called the "high guard" position) is completely normal for new walkers. Babies use their raised arms for balance, much like a tightrope walker. As your baby's balance and walking skill improve over the coming weeks, their arms will gradually lower to their sides.
Key takeaways
- Walking with arms held up high (called the "high guard" position) is completely normal for new walkers. Babies use their raised arms for balance, much like a tightrope walker. As your baby's balance and walking skill improve over the coming weeks, their arms will gradually lower to their sides.
- Usually normal when: Your baby just started walking within the last few months and uses high guard for balance.
- Call your doctor if: Your child's walking pattern has changed suddenly, including raising arms higher than before.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, walking with arms held up high (called the "high guard" position) is completely normal for new walkers. Babies use their raised arms for balance, much like a tightrope walker. As your baby's balance and walking skill improve over the coming weeks, their arms will gradually lower to their sides. At 10-13 months, when babies first start walking, they almost always hold their arms up high in the "high guard" position. This is a natural balance strategy. Your baby's arms are acting as counterweights to help maintain balance. This is a completely normal part of learning to walk and is actually a sign your baby is developing appropriate balance reactions. It is generally considered normal when your baby just started walking within the last few months and uses high guard for balance. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child's walking pattern has changed suddenly, including raising arms higher than before.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
10-13 months
When babies first start walking, they almost always hold their arms up high in the "high guard" position. This is a natural balance strategy. Your baby's arms are acting as counterweights to help maintain balance. This is a completely normal part of learning to walk and is actually a sign your baby is developing appropriate balance reactions.
13-15 months
As your baby gets more comfortable walking, you will notice their arms gradually lowering. They may go from a high guard position to a medium guard position, with arms held at about chest height. Some babies transition faster than others, and this depends on how much walking practice they get and their individual development.
15-18 months
Most toddlers have lowered their arms significantly by now and may be starting to swing them while walking. If your child is still walking with arms very high, watch to see if their balance seems otherwise good. Some children simply maintain this position longer. If they can stop, change direction, and squat without falling, their balance is developing well.
18-24 months
By this age, most children walk with their arms at their sides and are developing a more mature walking pattern. If your child still consistently walks with arms raised high, mention it to your pediatrician, as it may indicate ongoing balance challenges that could benefit from physical therapy support.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed walks with arms up in the air 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 has been walking for more than 6 months and still consistently walks with arms raised.
- Mention if your child seems to have ongoing balance difficulties alongside the arm position.
- 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 just started walking within the last few months and uses high guard for balance.
- Your baby's arms are gradually lowering as they gain walking experience.
- Your baby can lower their arms when carrying a toy and still walk successfully.
- Your baby's overall balance is improving even though they still hold their arms up sometimes.
- Your child has been walking for more than 6 months and still consistently walks with arms raised.
- Your child seems to have ongoing balance difficulties alongside the arm position.
- Your child falls very frequently compared to other children the same age.
- Your child's walking pattern has changed suddenly, including raising arms higher than before.
- Your child seems to have weakness or coordination changes along with the arm position.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice walks with arms up in the air — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby just started walking within the last few months and uses high guard for balance — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 10-13 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's walking pattern has changed suddenly, including raising arms higher than before.
Related Conditions
My Baby Walks with a Wide Stance
A wide-based gait (walking with feet wide apart) is completely normal for new walkers. Babies use a wide stance for balance, just as adults would on a rocking boat. Most toddlers naturally narrow their gait by age 2-3 as their balance and coordination improve.
My Toddler Falls Down a Lot
Falling is a completely normal part of learning to walk and run, and most toddlers fall frequently in the first 6 months after they start walking. A new walker may fall dozens of times per day and that's expected. Falling typically decreases significantly by around 18-24 months of walking experience. It only becomes a concern if falling increases over time rather than decreasing, or if it seems out of proportion compared to peers.
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.
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 with arms up in the air normal?
When should I call the doctor about walks with arms up in the air?
When is walks with arms up in the air normal?
What causes walks with arms up in the air?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about walks with arms up in the air?
Is walks with arms up in the air normal at 10-13 months?
Is walks with arms up in the air normal at 13-15 months?
Should I go to the ER for walks with arms up in the air?
Does walks with arms up in the air go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Walks with Arms Up in the Air.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed walks with arms up in the air 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 has been walking for more than 6 months and still consistently walks with arms raised.
- Mention if your child seems to have ongoing balance difficulties alongside the arm position.
- 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 has been walking for more than 6 months and still consistently walks with arms raised.
- Your child seems to have ongoing balance difficulties alongside the arm position.
- Your child falls very frequently compared to other children the same age.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child's walking pattern has changed suddenly, including raising arms higher than before.
- Your child seems to have weakness or coordination changes along with the arm position.
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 with arms up in the air are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child's walking pattern has changed suddenly, including raising arms higher than before.
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 Walks with a Wide Stance
A wide-based gait (walking with feet wide apart) is completely normal for new walkers. Babies use a wide stance for balance, just as adults would on a rocking boat. Most toddlers naturally narrow their gait by age 2-3 as their balance and coordination improve.
My Toddler Falls Down a Lot
Falling is a completely normal part of learning to walk and run, and most toddlers fall frequently in the first 6 months after they start walking. A new walker may fall dozens of times per day and that's expected. Falling typically decreases significantly by around 18-24 months of walking experience. It only becomes a concern if falling increases over time rather than decreasing, or if it seems out of proportion compared to peers.
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.
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.