Baby Milestones - Pulling Themselves Up

If you are a first time parent, you will be excited for each developmental milestone in your baby’s life. You might be familiar with common developmental stages like smiling, crawling, and walking, but your baby doesn’t stop at that. Although, all babies do not develop at the same pace, they are always learning and constantly pulling themselves up the milestone ladder. Therefore it is important that you understand and appreciate the different developmental stages your baby goes through.

When your baby is around four months old you will notice him trying to roll on his side or even on to his back without your help. It will start accidentally. Maybe your baby got to kicking and moving around and next thing he realizes this leads to a roll over on his tummy. This is the time to start watching your baby more closely. He may not be strong enough to immediately move his head or he could fall sound asleep tired of the big effort. Always make sure that his head is not buried under pillows and blankets and he is able to breathe. Rolling over is the first step to babies pulling themselves up.

After your baby has mastered the rolling over and gained enough confidence, he will progress to pushing himself upon his arms. He will be rocking back and forth on his knees and he will love it! Your baby will be fascinated with his arms and feet savoring his new freedom to touch and explore the world around him. The longer your baby can do this, the stronger he will become. Building up muscle and gaining more confidence will move him one step closer to pulling himself up!

Between six and seven months of age your baby will be able to sit and possibly will be experimenting with crawling. That’s when he will start trying to reach and grab on to the crib or playpen not only to touch but in an attempt to pull himself up.

Once your baby masters crawling and starts ‘moving’ around with confidence he will make every attempt there is to try to grab anything within his reach and pull himself up to a standing position. Some babies need a bit of support; others do it entirely on their own. At this time your baby’s muscles are strong enough and he will be able to bear weight on his legs even if at the beginning it’s for a short time only. According to pediatricians, pulling up usually happens between 8 and 10 months of age. Often parents forget that pulling up and standing should be followed by sitting down and that babies do not know how to sit down on their own. They have to learn how to do that too, so give them a helping hand.

Household furniture is the most common aid babies use for pulling up – coffee tables, TV stands, chairs, big flower pots, bookshelves, etc. Unfortunately babies cannot foresee that a clash with one of these might lead not only to bumps and bruises but even to more serious injuries. All the furniture that is not sturdy enough to support the baby’s weight and might topple down should be moved away, glass and metal objects are especially baby unfriendly. Soften the sharp edges of coffee and end tables with towels, remove coasters from all furniture.

Pulling up is a prerequisite to walking and babies need to have gained enough strength and balance to accomplish it. The milestone given here is a general guideline. Your baby will develop at its own speed and pace; love and encourage him and enjoy this memorable time!

By: Valentina Kaltchev

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