Standing Up, Six Months

My daughter started walking unassisted at 8 months.

You can always invest in an exersaucer to keep her in the standing position with toys and activities in front of her if nothing holds her attention anymore. It also allows you freedom to move around without having to worry about what she is getting into with her newly discovered ability.

Yep my little girl started crawling when she was almost 6 months and is now almost 7 months and is doing the exact same thing. She actually walked across the side of the couch just yesterday by herself... I can't believe it but some kids are very determined. I don't really have any advice.. except you pretty much just have to go along with it.

This is going to sound funny but right now the most important thing you can do is teach her how to sit down. I'm so serious! If she doesn't know how to get back down and she pulls herself up in the crib, she will probably cry out for help to get back down and you don't want to have to be making that trip a gazillion times a night.

Play ring around the rosie with your child (obviously you can't play the full game). Sing the song and when you get to the "we all fall down" part, gently bend her knees, help her drop her little booty on the floor, and then clap/cheer/sing/praise so she'll repeat the behavior. You'll sing it so much that you'll never want to sing the darn song again, but eventually she'll learn what to do when it is time to "all fall down", and she'll be sitting on her own.

Not only has she learned a new skill; she is now also seeing her world from a different perspective. No more views from the tummy or the back! No more only looking at things at 'sitting level', no sir - now she gets to see what her world looks like while standing. That's fascinating for her.

While there is no need to 'push' her to walking, continue to encourage and support her but ALLOW her to get frustrated, but obviously not to the point of a mega-meltdown. The frustration with not being able to do what she wants to do will give her intrinsic motivation to try and figure out how to move, how to walk, how to stand for longer periods of time. She is developing gross motor skills and problem-solving all at the same time, plus she's working on figuring out her little piece of the world all on her own and wow, I bet she'll be so proud when she does it!

Follow her lead, continue to support and encourage her, and just let her have fun with this new 'trick' she's learned. What an awesome little kiddo!

hi-
you sound not discourage her from doing it however a couple of thoughts:
* you can place her toys up high and encourage her to play with them in standing
* encourage tummy time still/crawling (tummy time and crawling work on shoulder stability, upper body strength, trunk strength, upper arm coordination, oral motor (assist with bringing the tongue back on mouth), rib cage development, etc). Can she crawl yet? if so you can play "chase" with her - hover over her and crawl at the same time she is crawling saying "I'm gonna get you".

One other note (please no disrespect to DanaW), but I would not buy a baby walker – sadly thousands of infants visit the ER due to injuries related to baby walkers. Canada has banned them and The American Academy of Pediatrics has called for a ban on the manufacture and sale of baby walkers with wheels. (more info see http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/...)

hope that helps :)

Oh yes, this is my business~ DO NOT LET HER STAND OR WALK! She needs to crawl for 4-6 months until she walks. She is using all the wrong groups of muscles to accomplish this task and muscle memory will be there for life. Usually babies who are very weak will do this because tummy time and crawling are too difficult for them. It is easier to stand and walk then crawl. Take ALL things out of the room she is in at the time so she can't pull up on anything! Make her crawl to you after she learns. Have her crawl to get anything she wants. Make it hard. If she is not crawling by 8.5 months then consult an occupational therapist. Her future school and athletic life depends on it. Crawling is the only activity that sets up a child's left/right brain for processing and integrates primitive reflexes. It does everything. Yes, you can walk without crawling but it is almost never a pretty sight later on. Build her brain correctly so she doesn't struggle academically and perhaps behaviorally. Also, NEVER a good idea to use jumpers and exersaucers. They also build the wrong groups of muscles and toe walking can occur. Good luck.

My daughter also started standing around 6 months. She was walking by 7 1/2 months. I would simply let her do her thing :). Be careful not to overly react when she does tumble and fall. 90 percent of the time the diaper pads the fall nicely. She may become scared herself if she sees fear in your face. Keep her in a safe environment and enjoy the magic of developmental milestones!

I feel what you are going through. My daughter is almost 9 months and has been doing this since she was early 6 months as well. Now instead of sitting in her tub she wants to STAND and bounce also trying to get her to lay down while I change her has been a challenge! I have tried EVERYTHING but now I rush through the things that she used to enjoy in hopes to keep her smiling! For the wanting to stand all the time what I did for my daughter was I got a walker, so that her feet could touch the floor and she got the standing feeling as well. Then when she was able to actually touch the floor she got her fix of standing/walking around the house. Now she chases our dog through the house in her walker. She has picked up the interest in her toys again, but is always pulling herself up on everything, including her toys. Now she is tempting to let go and trying to take a step. It sounds like we both have very determined little ones. Not sure if this helped you or not, but I do know what you are going through…

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** not sure it posted the 1st time so I am reposting** I feel what you are going through. My daughter is almost 9 months and has been doing this since she was early 6 months as well. Now instead of sitting in her tub she wants to STAND and bounce also trying to get her to lay down while I change her has been a challenge! I have tried EVERYTHING but now I rush through the things that she used to enjoy in hopes to keep her smiling! For the wanting to stand all the time what I did for my daughter was I got a walker, so that her feet could touch the floor and she got the standing feeling as well. Then when she was able to actually touch the floor she got her fix of standing/walking around the house. Now she chases our dog through the house in her walker. She has picked up the interest in her toys again, but is always pulling herself up on everything, including her toys. Now she is tempting to let go and trying to take a step. It sounds like we both have very determined little ones. Not sure if this helped you or not, but I do know what you are going through…

I have one. My daughter walked at 8 months. She also climbed, ran and jumped at 8 months. I like you looked at her in awe at 6 months when she pulled herself up for the first time. I called my sister and was like no way...not yet? Right? Totally dumbfounded! She is the only girl and was the earliest walker out of all of them by far!

Be very mindful of her surroundings. She is determined and they have no fear at this age. Check for any and all things she can climb on and over. I had the worst luck with my early walker...so many owies...it is scary! Total baby proofing is in order...sounds like you might have a runner:)

Children reach these milestones when different parts of their brain are developed. My oldest didn't walk until he was 15 months old and didn't even start crawling until he was 11 months old. However, my youngest was walking at 9 1/2 months old and probably pulling himslef up to stand at about the same time as your daughter. He never crawled either. So, if her brain is ready - she is ready.

my son was the same way although he did not get frustrated - he was walking by 8 months. Just make sure you've proofed the area (no sharp cornered tables etc.) and let her go at it!

My son was the same with absolutely no encouragement from me. It's not too early if she's ready! Sounds like it's time for you to get ready. My guy was full-on walking by 9 1/2 months. Get your house ready!

Ms. D., I do agree with Ms.Sarah. Your baby is determined and she is going to do what she wants to do.. For some reason girls are far more apt to do things earlier than boys. Hang in there mom, she'll be just fine.. :)

My daughter did the same thing. By 7 months she was able to walk while holding onto furniture. Just make sure you babyproof your house ASAP if you haven't already and enjoy helping her learn to get mobile while holding on to furniture. I agree with others who said help her learn to get down if she hasn't figure it out yet herself. And if you do decide to use a walker, be very careful because they can be dangerous and on average delay a child's ability to walk on their own by a month (it satiates their desire for mobility and makes them a little lazy because they can just whine until you put them in the walker if they feel like moving). Good luck!!!

Im not sure what Shari's job is, but my son stood full weight on his legs at 8 weeks and walked at months. It was so early it looked a bit freaky and even my Dr said he was a freak baby. But nothing terrible came of it. Some pretty amazing gross motor skills and early independence, but no muscle issues or posture problems, etc. Let her go. Maybe she'll be an olympic runner someday. That kind of perseverence and determination should be cultivated not squashed. Good luck.

my oldest was cruising the furniture at 6 months, and was walking by 9, they will do what they want to do when they are ready!

Believe it or not, children know what they need and are capable of doing. Let her explore and try what she wishes as long as she is not hurting herself and/or screaming about it. I'd recommend getting some toys that help her stand up, for instance the Leap Frog learning table. My son loved that and maybe another toy that helps motivate her to do activities sitting up a lot or something to reach for in order to feel "taller". My little one started walking about 8 mo. Everything will come at their own timing. Enjoy.

My daughter walked on her nine month birthday, and I don't mean took her first steps, she walked and never looked back. She never bothered with crawling! She loved to pull herself up too and stand, and about the same age as what you are talking about. Figure each time she does it, she gets a little bit stronger. Don't hold her back, she knows better than you do now what she can do and when. Give her plenty of tummy time, and allow her room to turn and roll and inch-worm her way around.

my son could stand at 4 months, insane i know, i found him an exersaucer type thing (step and play piano) he LOVED it. he spent most of his time free but i would put him in it a few times a day because he always wanted to be standing and my arms couldn't take it holding him up all day :) my son waited until 9 months to walk and as soon as he did wanted nothing to do with the exersaucer. but for those 5 months it was one of the best baby things i ever had.

Congrats! That's a great accomplishment when most babies that age are just sitting-up for the first time.

I'd get a walker and let her start practicing......I certainly wouldn't discourage it if it were my child.

Our son started using one consistently at 9 months - we were convinced he would be walking by 10 months, and he was slightly past his first birthday when he finally had the confidence.

That's such a fun age, and it gets so much more fun......until about 2.5. Enjoy the time with her!

I used the "walker"...the scooting seat on wheels when my children were anxious to get about. There's also a bouncer that hooks onto the door frame so the baby can bounce up and down.
Your baby seems to be curious and anxious to navigate her surroundings.
It's all part of "growing up"
Blessings, S.

I used an exersaucer with my son around this time to keep him safe from falling, and to help him strengthen his legs productively. It allowed him to sit or stand at will in a safe environment. The toys on the tray also gave him something to be distracted with and reduce frustrations.

Get one that is stationary (no wheels) and has the proper seat design so as to not put unnecessary pressure on her pelvis. Most have adjustable heights as well so she can use it as she grows.

my kids were both standing by then and my son was walking by 8mos