Movement and Motor Skills: 8 to 12 Months

Get ready—your baby is about to transform from a relatively stationary creature into a tiny explorer who can go places. Between 8 and 12 months, babies typically learn to crawl, pull up, cruise along furniture, and some even take their first steps. It's an exhilarating (and exhausting) time that requires you to see your home through entirely new eyes.

This guide covers what to expect, how to encourage motor development, and how to keep your mobile baby safe.

What to Expect: The Big Picture

Every baby develops at their own pace, but here's the general progression: AAP

8-9 months:

• Sitting steadily without support
• Getting into sitting position independently
• Beginning to crawl (or scoot, or army crawl, or roll)
• May start pulling up on furniture
• Transfers objects from hand to hand easily

9-10 months:

• Crawling more efficiently
• Pulling up to standing
• May start "cruising" along furniture
• Points at objects
• Picks up small items with pincer grasp (thumb and finger)

10-12 months:

• Cruising confidently along furniture
• May stand alone briefly
• Some babies take first steps
• Improved coordination and balance
• Can pivot while sitting to reach objects

Important note:
Not all babies crawl. Some scoot on their bottoms, army crawl, roll, or skip straight to walking. All of these are normal as long as baby is making progress in mobility. AAP

Types of Crawling (and Alternatives)

You might expect crawling to look a certain way, but babies get creative: AAP

Classic crawl:

• Hands and knees
• Alternating opposite arm and leg
• The "textbook" version

Commando crawl:

• Army-style, belly on floor
• Pulling with arms
• Often a precursor to hands-and-knees crawling

Bear crawl:

• Hands and feet (not knees)
• Bottom up in the air
• Looks a bit silly but perfectly normal

Crab crawl:

• Moving sideways or backwards
• Baby figures out forward eventually

Bottom scoot:

• Sitting position, scooting on bottom
• Using hands and legs to move
• Gets where baby needs to go

Rolling:

• Some babies roll across the room
• Efficient if not traditional

Any method of getting from point A to point B is progress. Some babies never crawl traditionally and go straight to walking—this is fine.

Pulling Up and Cruising

This is where things get really interesting (and your furniture becomes a support system):

Pulling up:

• Baby uses furniture, your legs, anything stable to pull to standing
• Often happens around 8-9 months
• At first, baby may not know how to get back down (cue crying)
• Practice "plopping" down together

Getting back down:

• Teach baby to bend knees and lower slowly
• They'll often just let go and fall at first
• Lots of practice needed
• Expect some bumps

Cruising:

• Walking while holding furniture
• Usually starts around 9-10 months
• Baby sidesteps along couch, table, etc.
• May cruise for weeks or months before walking independently

When Do Babies Walk?

First steps are among the most anticipated milestones, but timing varies enormously: AAP

Typical range:

• Some babies walk at 9 months
• Most walk between 12-15 months
• Walking up to 18 months is within normal range
• Average is around 12-13 months

What affects timing:

• Temperament (cautious babies may wait longer)
• Opportunity to practice
• Physical build (longer/heavier babies may take more time)
• Focus on other skills (language sometimes takes priority)
• Birth order (later-born children sometimes walk earlier)

Late walking:
If baby isn't walking by 18 months or you have concerns about motor development, talk to your pediatrician. But most late walkers catch up completely.

Encouraging Motor Development

You can support your baby's physical development without "training" them: AAP

Create opportunities:

• Lots of floor time for practice
• Safe spaces to explore
• Furniture to pull up on
• Room to move

Limit time in "containers":

• Bouncy seats, swings, walkers restrict movement
• Some use is fine, but balance with floor time
• Baby needs to practice moving freely

Encourage reaching:

• Place toys slightly out of reach
• Motivate movement toward desired objects
• Celebrate successes

Support standing practice:

• Hold baby's hands while they stand
• Let them bounce and squat
• Provide stable furniture for support

Walk together:

• Hold both hands at first
• Progress to one hand
• Walk behind holding under arms
• Push toys help some babies

What NOT to Do

Skip the baby walker:

• AAP recommends against wheeled baby walkers
• Associated with serious injuries (falls down stairs)
• May actually delay walking
• Don't strengthen the right muscles
• Banned in Canada due to safety concerns AAP

Don't force it:

• Baby will walk when ready
• Pressure doesn't speed development
• Some babies need to build confidence
• Focus on opportunity, not pushing

Don't compare:

• Every baby has their own timeline
• Early walking isn't "better"
• Late walking doesn't predict athletic ability
• Focus on your own baby's progress

Safety: Baby-Proofing for Mobility

A mobile baby sees your home very differently. Time to get down on their level: AAP

Furniture safety:

• Secure bookshelves and dressers to walls
• Remove unstable furniture
• Pad sharp corners
• Ensure furniture baby pulls up on is stable

Stair safety:

• Install gates at top AND bottom of stairs
• Hardware-mounted gates are safest
• Pressure-mounted gates can be pushed over

Electrical safety:

• Cover outlets with safety plugs
• Secure cords out of reach
• Move electronics up high

Kitchen safety:

• Stove knob covers
• Keep handles turned inward
• Lock cabinet with cleaning supplies
• Move breakables up high

General hazards:

• Keep floors clear of small objects (choking hazards)
• Secure blind cords
• Lock doors to off-limits areas
• Remove tablecloths baby could pull

Get on the floor:
Crawl around your home at baby level to see what they see. You'll notice hazards you missed from standing height.

Shoes: Do Mobile Babies Need Them?

Barefoot is best for learning to walk. Surprising? Here's why: AAP

Barefoot benefits:

• Develops balance and coordination
• Strengthens foot muscles
• Allows sensory feedback from floor
• Toes can grip and adjust

When shoes make sense:

• Outside where surfaces are unsafe
• Cold surfaces
• Protection from hazards

If you need shoes:

• Flexible soles that bend easily
• Lightweight
• Proper fit—room for growth but not too big
• Non-skid soles

Inside:

• Barefoot or non-skid socks
• Let those toes work

Common Concerns

"My baby only crawls backward."
Common! Forward crawling requires more coordination. Baby will figure it out.

"My baby hasn't crawled and is 10 months old."
Some babies skip crawling entirely. If baby is moving somehow (rolling, scooting) and developing other skills normally, this is usually fine. Discuss with pediatrician if concerned.

"My baby keeps falling."
Falling is part of learning. Expect lots of tumbles. Create safe spaces for practice and stay close to provide support.

"My baby won't let go of furniture to walk."
Walking independently is scary! Some babies cruise for months. They'll let go when confident. Try coaxing across small gaps.

"My baby's feet turn in/out when walking."
Slight in-toeing or out-toeing is common in new walkers. Usually corrects as muscles strengthen. Mention to pediatrician, but it's usually not concerning.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

Mention concerns if: AAP

By 9 months:

• Baby can't bear weight on legs when held standing
• Doesn't sit with support
• Doesn't reach for objects

By 12 months:

• Can't stand when supported
• Doesn't crawl or move in some way
• Doesn't search for hidden objects

At any age:

• Seems stiff or floppy
• Strong preference for one side
• Regression—losing skills previously had
• You're concerned about development

Early intervention helps if there are issues, so don't hesitate to ask.

The Bottom Line

The 8-12 month period brings dramatic changes in your baby's mobility:

What to expect:

• Sitting → crawling → pulling up → cruising → walking
• Wide range of "normal" timing
• Creative variations on crawling are fine

How to help:

• Provide floor time and opportunity
• Create safe exploration spaces
• Limit time in restrictive devices
• Let baby go barefoot

Stay safe:

• Baby-proof thoroughly
• Get down at baby level to spot hazards
• Supervise closely during this mobile phase

Your home is about to feel much smaller as your baby discovers they can go places. Embrace the chaos, celebrate each new skill, and get ready to chase! Clara is here if you have questions about motor development or milestones.