When Do Babies Start to Stand? Milestones and What to Expect

Watching your baby learn new skills and grow their confidence is an exciting time. The first year is full of milestones, and many parents start wondering when their baby will begin standing.

Questions like “When will my baby stand?” or “Is it okay for them to fall while learning?” are common. This guide walks you through what to expect, when babies typically start standing, and how you can safely support them along the way.

When Do Babies Stand With Support?

Standing with support is one of the first steps toward independent movement and helps build strength and balance.

Between 4 and 12 months, babies go through rapid developmental changes. The first skill your baby needs to master to stand independently is learning to stand with support.

By around four months, your baby can push their feet down on a hard surface or your legs while you hold them securely under their arms.^1,2 As they do so, your baby will love to look at your face as you talk to them or tell them a story. They may even start bouncing up and down as you talk.²

By six months, they should start to bear more weight on their legs and be able to support themselves with their legs.³ They still need you to hold them securely under their arms as they are not quite ready to stand unassisted. While your baby is standing, take time to show them their environment. Tell them the name or shape of the objects they are seeing or the color of their toys. Babies are curious, and this is a great way to help them explore their environment.⁴

At around 9-11 months, you will notice your baby is gaining more confidence in their newfound standing ability. Around this time, many babies can stand with only the support of furniture or your hands. They may pull up on furniture using one foot to lead them into position. They may also try to cruise or shuffle around the furniture as they explore the next step: walking.^5,6

Related: Ultimate Baby Proofing Checklist

When Do Babies Stand Without Support?

Once your baby gains strength and coordination, they will begin practicing standing on their own.

The timing for standing without support can vary widely. The most common timeframe for a baby to stand without support is around 11-12 months, but some babies may do it before or after 12 months.

After your baby can pull up on furniture, they will start standing up independently for a few seconds before grabbing back onto support or lowering themselves to the ground.⁶ Many babies will start to walk around furniture while maintaining a hold of the furniture.

Around 12-14 months, you may notice that your baby will start standing up from the floor independently without support. A walking baby may be in your near future!⁶

Related: Developmental Milestones: Is My Child On Track?

What Should You Do If Your Baby Falls?

As your baby learns new skills, small falls are a natural part of the process. The best thing you can do to help decrease your baby’s risk of injury is to ensure they are in a safe and secure environment as they explore. Here are some tips:

• Use a baby gate to block access to stairways
• Cover or remove hard furniture edges
• Keep sharp items out of reach
• Do not use baby walkers due to injury risk⁷
• Secure heavy furniture to the wall^8,9

If your baby has a severe fall or is not acting like themselves afterward, seek medical attention. Your doctor can evaluate your baby for injuries and provide medical treatment.

Related: The Hidden Home Hazard That Puts Kids Most at Risk

How Long Do Babies Stand Before Walking?

Standing is a major milestone that often leads quickly to those first independent steps. Most babies will take their first steps with support around 9-12 months and usually start to take steps unsupported at around 11-15 months.^6,10 When your baby reaches 18 months, you will be hot on their heels, chasing them around as they walk and run without support.¹¹ Your baby will be on the move before you know it.

Even though there is a standard timeline outlining an infant’s developmental milestones, it is essential to remember that each baby is on their journey. These guidelines help you understand what milestones to expect, but they are not strict rules. One baby may stand without support by 11 months old, while another may not until 15 months old, and that’s okay.

Related: When Do Babies Start Walking?

If you have questions about your baby’s developmental milestones, the CDC has put together a developmental milestones checklist that you can use to track your baby’s development.¹² Your doctor will periodically check your baby’s development during their well-baby checkups.

While developmental timelines provide helpful guidance, every baby grows at their own pace. Some may stand earlier, while others take a little longer, and that is completely normal.

If you ever have concerns about your baby’s development, talk with your pediatrician. They can help assess your child’s progress and provide support if needed.