My Baby Isn't Pulling to Stand
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about isn't pulling to stand, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Most babies begin pulling themselves up to stand between 8 and 10 months, but the typical range extends to about 12 months. Pulling to stand requires a combination of upper body strength, core stability, leg strength, and motivation - and some babies simply take a little longer to put all those pieces together.
Key takeaways
- Most babies begin pulling themselves up to stand between 8 and 10 months, but the typical range extends to about 12 months. Pulling to stand requires a combination of upper body strength, core stability, leg strength, and motivation - and some babies simply take a little longer to put all those pieces together.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 10 months and is sitting well, rolling, and showing interest in being upright when you hold them.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby has lost the ability to pull up or stand after previously doing so - any loss of motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
- 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.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines, most babies begin pulling themselves up to stand between 8 and 10 months, but the typical range extends to about 12 months. Pulling to stand requires a combination of upper body strength, core stability, leg strength, and motivation - and some babies simply take a little longer to put all those pieces together. At 6-8 months, it is completely normal for babies this age to not yet pull to stand. Many are still working on sitting steadily and beginning to get mobile on the floor. You might see early signs like your baby trying to push up while you hold their hands, or grabbing at furniture - these are all great building blocks. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 10 months and is sitting well, rolling, and showing interest in being upright when you hold them. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has lost the ability to pull up or stand after previously doing so - any loss of motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-8 months
It is completely normal for babies this age to not yet pull to stand. Many are still working on sitting steadily and beginning to get mobile on the floor. You might see early signs like your baby trying to push up while you hold their hands, or grabbing at furniture - these are all great building blocks.
9-10 months
This is the most common window for pulling to stand. If your baby isn't doing it yet but is sitting well, rolling, and showing interest in upright positions (like bouncing when you hold them standing), they're building the foundations. Plenty of tummy time and floor play near stable furniture gives them opportunities to practice.
11-12 months
If your baby isn't pulling to stand by 11 or 12 months, it's a good idea to mention it to your pediatrician at the next visit. This doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong - some babies focus on fine motor or language skills first - but your doctor can check muscle tone, strength, and overall development to make sure everything is on track.
13-15 months
By this age, most babies should be pulling to stand and many are cruising along furniture. If your baby still isn't pulling up, a referral to a pediatric physical therapist is a sensible next step. Early intervention for motor skills is very effective, and a therapist can give you specific exercises and activities to do at home.
16+ months
If your baby isn't pulling to stand by 16 months, please talk to your pediatrician soon if you haven't already. An evaluation can help identify whether there are factors like low muscle tone, hip concerns, or sensory preferences that are contributing, and targeted therapy can make a meaningful difference.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed isn't pulling to stand 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 12 months or older and isn't pulling to stand on anything, even with encouragement.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to bear weight on their legs at all when you hold them in a standing position.
- 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 10 months and is sitting well, rolling, and showing interest in being upright when you hold them.
- Your baby pulls up on you but hasn't figured out furniture yet - people are more motivating than coffee tables.
- Your baby was premature - use their adjusted age, which can shift this milestone by several months.
- Your baby briefly pulled up once or twice but doesn't do it consistently yet - they're working on it.
- Your baby is mobile on the floor (crawling, scooting, rolling) and is actively exploring, just not vertically yet.
- Your baby is 12 months or older and isn't pulling to stand on anything, even with encouragement.
- Your baby doesn't seem to bear weight on their legs at all when you hold them in a standing position.
- Your baby seems to have difficulty gripping or holding on to furniture edges when trying to pull up.
- Your baby was pulling up and has stopped doing it.
- Your baby has lost the ability to pull up or stand after previously doing so - any loss of motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
- Your baby's legs seem stiff, scissored, or consistently turned in or out, making standing difficult.
- Your baby is over 15 months with no interest in standing or bearing weight on their legs, combined with other motor delays.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice isn't pulling to stand — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 10 months and is sitting well, rolling, and showing interest in being upright when you hold them — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-8 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 has lost the ability to pull up or stand after previously doing so - any loss of motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
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 isn't pulling to stand normal?
When should I call the doctor about isn't pulling to stand?
When is isn't pulling to stand normal?
What causes isn't pulling to stand?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about isn't pulling to stand?
Is isn't pulling to stand normal at 6-8 months?
Is isn't pulling to stand normal at 9-10 months?
Should I go to the ER for isn't pulling to stand?
Does isn't pulling to stand go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Isn't Pulling to Stand.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed isn't pulling to stand 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 12 months or older and isn't pulling to stand on anything, even with encouragement.
- Mention if your baby doesn't seem to bear weight on their legs at all when you hold them in a standing position.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is 12 months or older and isn't pulling to stand on anything, even with encouragement.
- Your baby doesn't seem to bear weight on their legs at all when you hold them in a standing position.
- Your baby seems to have difficulty gripping or holding on to furniture edges when trying to pull up.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby has lost the ability to pull up or stand after previously doing so - any loss of motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
- Your baby's legs seem stiff, scissored, or consistently turned in or out, making standing difficult.
- Your baby is over 15 months with no interest in standing or bearing weight on their legs, combined with other motor delays.
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 isn't pulling to stand are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has lost the ability to pull up or stand after previously doing so - any loss of motor skills needs prompt evaluation.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Physical Concerns
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.
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.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.