Pulling himself up to a standing position is one of the first signs that your baby is ready to learn to walk, so it's a major
baby milestone. This not only shows
walking readiness but lets you know that your baby has the proper strength for walking in his legs and trunk.
When it happens: Usually babies will pull themselves up to a standing position somewhere between the age of 9 to 10 months.
How to help it happen: You can help encourage your baby to pull himself up by allowing plenty of unbound time - i.e. don't always have your baby in a baby seat or stroller. You can place fun toys somewhere safe, such as in the middle of the coffee table or on a chair to encourage your baby to stand up and reach for the prize. One other thing that can help is to get some nice
easy moving clothing and
non-slip footwear, so your baby has firm footing.
What if it doesn't happen?: If your baby misses this milestone by 10 months be patient, because babies differ greatly in developmental skills. If by a year of age your baby still hasn't taken the initiative to pull himself up you should discuss it with your pediatrician. It could be that your baby just likes to have people carry him about and get items for him, or it could be that your baby will need to be evaluated by an occupational therapist, just to make sure
everything is a-ok.
