Gross Motor Gross Motor Skills for Babies From 6 to 13 Months of Age
Is your baby sitting but still toppling over sometimes? Not sure when crawling, pulling to stand, or walking should begin?
Between 6 to 13 months, babies experience rapid changes in their gross motor skills — the big movements that help them explore the world, build strength, and gain independence.
In this post, we’ll walk through what’s typically expected at each stage and share tips to support your baby’s development. Remember, every baby is unique and progresses at their own pace. This guide is meant to help you understand the big picture and spot any red flags early.
6 to 7 Months: Sitting With Support and Forward Protective Reactions
At this stage, many babies are learning to sit upright with support. You might notice your baby leaning forward to reach for a toy and then catching themselves with their hands. This is the beginning of protective reactions.
Protective reactions are automatic responses that help babies catch themselves if they start to fall. The first to develop is the forward protective extension. This typically emerges between 6 to 7 months.
What to look for:
Sitting with hands propped in front (tripod position)
Leaning forward to reach and using hands to catch balance
Interest in toys placed slightly out of reach
Tips to support your baby:
Sit with them on the floor and place toys just beyond their reach
Encourage them to play with both hands while sitting
Give short, supported sitting practice throughout the day
7 to 8 Months: Side Protective Reactions and Core Control
Around this time, you’ll start to notice more control in your baby’s upper body and trunk. They may be able to sit upright without using their hands for balance and may start rotating while reaching for toys.
Side protective reactions often show up now. If your baby starts to lean to the side while sitting, one hand will shoot out to stop the fall. These are essential for developing confident sitting and transitions.
What to look for:
Sitting without support for longer periods
Turning to look or reach sideways
Initiating side protective responses
Some babies might also:
Begin pivoting in circles on their tummy
Start commando crawling (dragging belly across the floor)
Rock back and forth on hands and knees
Tips to support your baby:
Give your baby lots of floor time to practice movement
Use toys to encourage side reaching and weight shifting
Limit time in baby seats or containers
8 to 9 Months: Crawling and Pulling to Stand
This is a big time for mobility! Babies begin to figure out how to get from one position to another and may start moving around more independently.
You might see your baby:
Transitioning between sitting, belly, and hands-and-knees
Crawling on hands and knees
Pulling up to stand using furniture or caregivers
Backward protective reactions may start to emerge now too. If your baby tips backward while sitting, you might see them reach their hands behind to catch themselves.
What to look for:
Intentional transitions between positions
Crawling to explore surroundings
Standing briefly while holding onto stable surfaces
Tips to support your baby:
Let them play near soft, safe furniture they can pull up on
Avoid helping them stand before they can do it on their own
Create obstacle courses or play tunnels to encourage crawling
10 to 11 Months: Cruising and Improved Coordination
Now your baby is likely getting into everything! Movement becomes more deliberate and coordinated. They are working on standing balance and lateral movement.
At this age, you might see:
Cruising: walking sideways while holding onto furniture
Experimenting with standing without holding on
Improved control during sitting and transitions
These activities build strength in the hips, core, and legs in preparation for walking.
What to look for:
Transferring from one piece of furniture to another
Exploring how to get in and out of standing
Reaching while standing and shifting weight side to side
Tips to support your baby:
Use furniture with safe edges to cruise along
Place toys just out of reach to encourage steps while cruising
Encourage barefoot play for sensory feedback and muscle development
12 to 13 Months: Independent Standing and First Steps
This is an exciting time for many families. Your baby may begin to stand independently and take their first steps. But remember, some babies walk before 12 months, and others after 15 months — both are considered within the range of typical development.
You might see your baby:
Standing without support for several seconds
Taking 1-2 steps toward a caregiver
Squatting down to pick something up and standing back up
Walking while holding onto your hands or a push toy
What to look for:
Confidence and curiosity about upright movement
Smooth transitions from sitting to standing
Stepping with or without assistance
Tips to support your baby:
Let them explore upright movement at their own pace
Use stable push toys to encourage early walking
Avoid overly structured shoes indoors; barefoot is best
What If My Baby Isn’t Doing These Things Yet?
All babies develop at their own pace, but here are a few signs to keep an eye on:
Not sitting independently by 9 months
Not crawling or showing interest in mobility by 10 months
Not pulling to stand by 12 months
Not taking steps (with or without support) by 15 months
If you’re concerned, reach out to your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist. Early support can make a big difference in helping your child meet their milestones.
Support Your Baby’s Development With Confidence
At Wobbly Beginnings, we’re here to help you feel confident and informed as your baby grows. From tummy time to first steps, we provide guidance and support for parents navigating gross motor milestones.
✅ Download our FREE Gross Motor Milestone Checklist to track your baby’s progress from birth to 5 years.
✅ Book a Discovery Call with Jess, our pediatric physical therapist, if you have questions or concerns about your baby’s development.