The short answer
Babies often learn to pull themselves up using furniture between eight and twelve months, although some try earlier and others later. Pulling to stand is not on the CDC nine-month checklist. What matters is your baby’s overall movement development and making the surroundings safe when they start pulling up.
In this guide · 11 sections
Keep in mind
- Pulling to stand often develops at 8–12 months; there is no single deadline.
- Not pulling up at nine months alone does not diagnose a delay.
- Anchor unstable furniture and televisions, and remove reachable hazards.
- Avoid wheeled walkers and forcing your baby to stand.
When do babies start pulling up?
Seeing your baby reach towards a coffee table from sitting and rise onto their knees marks a new stage of movement. Some babies try to pull themselves up on furniture at eight or nine months; others learn closer to their first birthday. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) discusses this skill within the eight-to-twelve-month period. That does not mean every baby must stand at eight months.
The CDC's nine-month milestones include sitting without support and getting into sitting independently, but not pulling to stand. So a nine-month-old who has not yet started pulling up is not, on that fact alone, showing developmental delay. Their overall range of movements and progress over time are more useful clues.
What happens before pulling to stand?
Your baby may first roll or belly-crawl towards furniture, stretch out their hands for support and rise onto their knees. Next they might lift their bottom, move one foot forward or pull upwards with both hands. These movements do not have to appear in one fixed sequence.
For example, reaching for a toy beside the sofa might prompt them to rise to their knees, even if they cannot stand all the way up yet. This can be part of learning about balance and strength. Watch your baby's own new attempts rather than comparing their sequence with another baby's.
What if a nine-month-old is not standing?
A nine-month-old may be more interested in sitting, moving on the floor or reaching for toys than in standing. At this age, the CDC looks for sitting without support and getting into sitting independently; pulling up is not a required milestone on that list.
However, discuss it with a doctor if your baby cannot sit without support, uses one side much less than the other, or loses a skill they previously had. For babies born early, corrected age may be used when assessing development.
Why can a baby stand up but not sit down?
Once babies discover how to pull themselves upright at the edge of a sofa, they may not know how to get back down. Crying while standing may mean they feel uncertain or have not worked out how to sit. The AAP suggests gently showing them how to bend their knees to lower themselves.
If your baby stands up in the crib or play area and calls for help, make sure they are safe first. You can allow opportunities to explore movement, but there is no need to keep them standing for long periods or make them repeat the manoeuvre.
What safety steps should you take at home?
Once your baby starts pulling up, items that used to be out of reach can suddenly become accessible. Secure bookcases, chests of drawers and televisions properly to the wall; a lightweight coffee table is not dependable support. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) particularly recommends anchoring furniture and TVs to prevent tip-overs.
Move hot drinks away from table edges, remove dangling tablecloths, keep cables beyond reach and install safety gates at stairs. When your baby starts standing in their crib, review the mattress height against the manufacturer's instructions. Don't place toys in the crib that could help them climb out.
Can babies stand before they crawl?
Yes. Some babies crawl on hands and knees for a long time, while others belly-crawl, shuffle on their bottoms or discover other ways to move. Traditional crawling is not a required stage before pulling to stand.
If your baby can change positions by themselves, uses both sides of their body and continues trying new movements, watch their development in that wider context. A missing single skill cannot give a definite answer on its own.
What can you do today?
Prepare a safe, non-slip place on the floor. Put an interesting toy somewhere your baby can see and reach towards, allowing them a chance to change position to get it. Stay close to prevent falls, but don't pull them up by their arms or force them to stand.
A baby walker is not needed to teach standing or walking. The AAP advises against wheeled baby walkers because of injury risks. Time on the floor and a safe environment are more valuable for exploring natural movement.
When should you speak with a pediatrician?
Not pulling up at eight or nine months alone is not an emergency. But speak with your baby's doctor if they also struggle noticeably with other movement skills, such as sitting, use their arms or legs unevenly, or if something about their movement development concerns you.
Losing movements they could previously make is an especially important reason to seek assessment rather than waiting. Share your observations at a developmental check so that screening or further evaluation can be arranged if appropriate.
When to seek support
Some signs need emergency help; other concerns can be discussed with your child’s healthcare team.
- Loss of previously acquired movement skills
- Clearly uneven use of arms or legs
- Not sitting without support around nine months or other motor concerns
Sources used for this guide
- CDC — Milestones by 9 Months
- American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org — American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren – Movement Milestones in Babies 8 to 12 Months Old
- CDC — Milestones by 12 Months
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — CPSC Injury and Fatality Report Shows, Despite Some Progress, Need for TV and Furniture Tip-Over Prevention Remains Strong
English editorial review:
The English text and regional guidance have been checked editorially. This is not an individual clinical assessment.
Luluna provides general parenting information. It does not diagnose conditions or replace your child’s healthcare professional.
Explore more guides