Can bear weight on legs when feet are flat on the floor and is supported under the arms, for a few seconds.

Your baby has been kicking their legs and starting to push against objects that are close to them. By doing this, they are gradually gaining whole body coordination and muscle strength. Now that they have more control of their head, they might like to be held upright sometimes and take some weight on their feet as you hold them.  

Getting stronger  

As your baby begins to develop control of their whole body this will lead to an improvement in balance, strength and coordination. Your baby will develop their strength from their head to their toes and from the centre of their body to the extremities.[1]   Your baby will need to develop control of their head, body and legs in order to stand and this will take some time.  

Floor play 

Spending time on their tummy each day supports your baby to develop strength in their core muscles, and time on their back allows them to move their arms and legs and strengthen their muscles and develop control of their movements.  

Giving your baby plenty of time to learn how to move and bounce whilst playing on the floor, or by holding them upright on your lap supports the natural development of muscle development and control. 

Weight-bearing 

Getting your baby to stand up is a long way off, however standing momentarily when supported gives your baby a chance to feel different sensations in their head, neck, core, legs and feet. Being held in a standing position will also help your baby to practise holding their head and body upright and stimulate their balance.  

As they move, your baby will use information from their senses to adjust their balance, to make judgements about distance as they begin to reach for objects and, as their skills and strength develop, to move on different surfaces. [2] At this stage, your baby’s movements are primarily focused on gaining strength, control and coordination. These are developing skills and will build gradually, leading to reaching and moving as they become stronger. 

Whilst your baby is upright, they will have increased opportunity to build their core muscles and look at objects in front of, and around them. Your baby will have an opportunity to fully experience their environment.  Being in a standing position will offer your baby a different view of the world, whilst increasing their awareness of their body as they feel their feet pushing on the floor or your lap.  

What next? 

Your baby’s muscles will steadily increase in strength. Time spent gently bouncing and standing can become longer. As your baby gets stronger, they will need less support from you. Your baby will gradually gain control from their head down to their toes. 

References 

[1] Goddard-Blythe, S. (2004). The Well Balanced Child: Movement and Early Learning. Stroud: Hawthorn Press. 

[2] Adolph, K. E., Eppler, M. A., & Joh, A. S. (2010, in press). Infant’s perception of affordances of slopes under low and high friction conditions. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance.