My Baby Isn't Pulling to Stand
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.
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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 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.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
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.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.
Signs of Ataxia in Babies and Toddlers
Ataxia refers to wobbly, uncoordinated movements that result from problems with the cerebellum (the brain's coordination center). Signs include an unsteady, wide-based gait, difficulty with precise hand movements, and intention tremor (shaking that worsens when reaching for something). If you notice these signs, evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is important.