When Do Babies Roll, Sit, Crawl and Walk? Motor Milestones Guide

Typical ranges

Motor skills come in a rough order, but timing varies widely. If your baby was born early, use the age from their due date until about age 2. - Rolling: usually tummy to back first, around 4 to 6 months, then back to tummy. - Sitting: propped on their hands around 5 to 6 months; sitting steadily without support around 6 to 9 months. - Crawling: often 7 to 10 months, but styles vary: belly commando crawls, scooting on the bottom, rolling across the room. Some babies skip crawling altogether and go straight to pulling up and walking. That alone isn't a concern if they're moving and using both sides. - Pulling to stand: around 9 months, often on furniture or your legs. At first they can't get down; help them practice bending their knees. - Cruising: walking sideways while holding furniture, around 9 to 12 months. - Walking: first independent steps anywhere from about 9 to 18 months. Many walk around 12 months; a later walker within that range is usually just a later walker.

What helps

• Floor time, every day. A safe, open floor and supervised tummy time from the first weeks build the strength for every later skill. See the tummy time guide.
• Less time in containers. Car seats (outside the car), bouncers, swings and seated activity centers keep babies still. Short stretches are fine; long ones take away practice.
• Put toys just out of reach, and give them sturdy furniture to pull up on. Push toys that are stable and that they walk behind can help once they're standing.
• Let them fall a little. Small tumbles on a soft surface are how balance is learned. Babyproof first; see the babyproofing guide for crawlers and climbers.

No baby walkers

• The AAP advises against mobile baby walkers and has called for a ban on their sale. Walkers let babies roll fast toward stairs, hot surfaces, pools and things to pull down, and cause thousands of injuries a year, including skull fractures.
• They don't help babies walk sooner and may delay it. A stationary activity center is the safer choice, for short periods.

Bare feet and first shoes

• Barefoot is best indoors. Feet grip and balance better, and muscles and arches develop naturally.
• Once walking outside, choose shoes for protection: light, flexible soles, a roomy toe box, and a snug heel. Avoid stiff or high-top "support" shoes; healthy feet don't need them.
• Flat feet, in-toeing, bowed legs and walking on tiptoes now and then are all common in new walkers and usually straighten out.

Bring it up at the checkup if

• By 4 months, your baby can't hold their head steady, or doesn't bring hands to mouth.
• By 6 months, they don't roll at all, or don't reach for toys.
• By 9 months, they can't sit without support.
• By 12 months, they don't pull to stand or bear weight on their legs.
• By 18 months, they aren't walking on their own.
• They use one side of the body much more than the other, seem very stiff or very floppy, or walk only on their toes all the time.
• You're worried, even if they're within the ranges.

Talk to the doctor soon if

• Your baby loses a motor skill they had, at any age. That always needs a prompt check.

Free help

• In the US, children under 3 can get a free developmental evaluation through the state's Early Intervention program. You can call yourself; no referral is needed. Physical therapy, if needed, can start early and works best early.