My Baby Pulls Their Feet Up When Held 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 pulls their feet up when held standing, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Some babies go through a phase where they pull their legs up and refuse to bear weight. This is often normal, especially around 4-6 months, and many babies simply are not interested in standing yet. However, if your baby never bears weight on their legs by 9 months or seems unable rather than unwilling, it should be evaluated.
Key takeaways
- Some babies go through a phase where they pull their legs up and refuse to bear weight. This is often normal, especially around 4-6 months, and many babies simply are not interested in standing yet. However, if your baby never bears weight on their legs by 9 months or seems unable rather than unwilling, it should be evaluated.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 7 months and sometimes bears weight, sometimes pulls legs up.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was previously bearing weight and has stopped.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, some babies go through a phase where they pull their legs up and refuse to bear weight. This is often normal, especially around 4-6 months, and many babies simply are not interested in standing yet. However, if your baby never bears weight on their legs by 9 months or seems unable rather than unwilling, it should be evaluated. At 3-5 months, many babies at this age will bear weight if held standing, but some prefer to pull their legs up. This is usually normal and not a sign of weakness. Your baby may simply prefer other positions. As long as your baby kicks their legs actively when lying down, their leg strength is developing. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 7 months and sometimes bears weight, sometimes pulls legs up. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was previously bearing weight and has stopped.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
3-5 months
Many babies at this age will bear weight if held standing, but some prefer to pull their legs up. This is usually normal and not a sign of weakness. Your baby may simply prefer other positions. As long as your baby kicks their legs actively when lying down, their leg strength is developing.
5-7 months
Most babies enjoy bouncing and bearing weight when held standing by now. If your baby still pulls their feet up every time, try gently encouraging weight bearing by holding them over your legs while sitting. If your baby actively kicks and moves their legs in other positions but just does not want to stand, this is likely a preference.
7-9 months
By 7-9 months, most babies bear weight enthusiastically when held in standing. If your baby still consistently refuses to put their feet down, mention it to your pediatrician. They can check for low muscle tone, foot sensitivity, or other factors.
9-12 months
If your baby will not bear weight at all by 9 months, evaluation is important. This could indicate low muscle tone, sensory sensitivity in the feet, or neurological concerns. Early physical therapy can address many of these issues effectively.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed pulls their feet up when held 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 baby never bears weight on their legs by 7-9 months.
- Mention if your baby seems to have weak legs or floppy muscle tone.
- 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 7 months and sometimes bears weight, sometimes pulls legs up.
- Your baby kicks vigorously in other positions, showing good leg strength.
- Your baby will bear weight briefly before pulling legs up.
- Your baby seems uninterested rather than unable to bear weight.
- Your baby never bears weight on their legs by 7-9 months.
- Your baby seems to have weak legs or floppy muscle tone.
- Your baby cries or seems distressed when feet touch surfaces.
- Your baby was previously bearing weight and has stopped.
- Your baby seems to have increasing weakness in their legs.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice pulls their feet up when held standing — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 7 months and sometimes bears weight, sometimes pulls legs up — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 3-5 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 previously bearing weight and has stopped.
Related Conditions
My Baby Isn't Bearing Weight on Their Legs
Most babies begin to enjoy bearing weight on their legs when you hold them in a standing position by around 4 to 6 months. By 9 months, babies should be able to support their weight on their legs with you providing balance support. If your baby's legs consistently buckle or they show no interest in pushing down, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician.
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Low muscle tone means your baby's muscles feel less firm or their body feels "floppy" when you hold them. While it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, many babies with mildly low tone do very well with support and strengthening activities.
My Baby Seems Floppy (Hypotonia)
A "floppy" baby is one whose muscles feel unusually relaxed and who may slip through your hands when you lift them under the arms. Many cases of mild floppiness improve on their own as your baby grows stronger, but it is important to have your pediatrician evaluate your baby to rule out any underlying conditions.
Related Resources
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Month-by-Month Development
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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 pulls their feet up when held standing normal?
When should I call the doctor about pulls their feet up when held standing?
When is pulls their feet up when held standing normal?
What causes pulls their feet up when held standing?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about pulls their feet up when held standing?
Is pulls their feet up when held standing normal at 3-5 months?
Is pulls their feet up when held standing normal at 5-7 months?
Should I go to the ER for pulls their feet up when held standing?
Does pulls their feet up when held standing go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Pulls Their Feet Up When Held Standing.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed pulls their feet up when held 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 baby never bears weight on their legs by 7-9 months.
- Mention if your baby seems to have weak legs or floppy muscle tone.
- 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 never bears weight on their legs by 7-9 months.
- Your baby seems to have weak legs or floppy muscle tone.
- Your baby cries or seems distressed when feet touch surfaces.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was previously bearing weight and has stopped.
- Your baby seems to have increasing weakness in their legs.
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 pulls their feet up when held standing are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was previously bearing weight and has stopped.
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 Bearing Weight on Their Legs
Most babies begin to enjoy bearing weight on their legs when you hold them in a standing position by around 4 to 6 months. By 9 months, babies should be able to support their weight on their legs with you providing balance support. If your baby's legs consistently buckle or they show no interest in pushing down, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician.
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Low muscle tone means your baby's muscles feel less firm or their body feels "floppy" when you hold them. While it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, many babies with mildly low tone do very well with support and strengthening activities.
My Baby Seems Floppy (Hypotonia)
A "floppy" baby is one whose muscles feel unusually relaxed and who may slip through your hands when you lift them under the arms. Many cases of mild floppiness improve on their own as your baby grows stronger, but it is important to have your pediatrician evaluate your baby to rule out any underlying conditions.
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