My Baby Isn't Bearing Weight on Their Legs
The short answer
Most babies begin to enjoy bearing weight on their legs when you hold them in a standing position by around 4 to 6 months. By 9 months, babies should be able to support their weight on their legs with you providing balance support. If your baby's legs consistently buckle or they show no interest in pushing down, it's worth discussing with your pediatrician.
By Age
What to expect by age
Newborns have a stepping reflex where they'll make walking motions if held upright, but this disappears around 2 months. After that, it's completely normal for babies to not support their weight yet. Their leg muscles and the neural pathways controlling them are still maturing. Don't worry if your young baby's legs seem "floppy" at this stage.
Many babies start to enjoy "standing" on your lap around this time, pushing down with their legs and bouncing. If your baby isn't doing this yet, it doesn't necessarily indicate a problem - some babies simply aren't interested in this position yet and are focused on other skills like reaching and rolling. But if they seem unable to push down at all, mention it to your doctor.
By this age, most babies enjoy bearing weight on their legs and may bounce enthusiastically when held standing. If your baby's legs still buckle every time or they pull their legs up and refuse to put them down, your pediatrician should take a look. They'll check muscle tone, hip joints, and reflexes to make sure everything is developing properly.
Babies should be bearing weight well on their legs by now and many are pulling to stand. If your baby still can't support their weight on their legs, this warrants evaluation. A pediatric physical therapist can assess strength, tone, and coordination and create a plan to help your baby build the skills they need for standing and eventually walking.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 5 months and doesn't push down when held standing - leg strength is still developing.
- Your baby bears weight briefly but then lifts their legs - they may just prefer other positions right now.
- Your baby bears weight when motivated (like bouncing to music) but not when you try to "make" them stand - they're choosy, not delayed.
- Your baby was premature - adjusted age matters significantly for weight-bearing milestones.
- Your baby is over 6 months and consistently can't push down or bear any weight on their legs when held in a standing position.
- Your baby's legs seem unusually stiff OR unusually floppy when you hold them upright.
- Your baby bears weight but only on one leg, keeping the other lifted or turned in.
- Your baby is over 9 months and shows no interest in standing activities at all.
- Your baby was bearing weight on their legs and has stopped - loss of this ability needs immediate evaluation.
- Your baby's legs cross or scissor when held standing, which can indicate increased muscle tone requiring assessment.
- Your baby has no weight-bearing ability combined with generally low muscle tone, feeding difficulties, or other developmental concerns.
Sources
Related Resources
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Curls Their Toes
Toe curling is very common in babies and is usually caused by the plantar grasp reflex, which is a normal newborn reflex that causes toes to curl when the sole of the foot is touched. This reflex typically fades by 9-12 months. Occasional toe curling during standing or walking is also normal as babies figure out their balance. Persistent, tight toe curling past 12 months may warrant a mention to your pediatrician.
My Baby Favors One Leg
Babies should use both legs roughly equally when kicking, crawling, and eventually walking. If your baby consistently favors one leg or seems to avoid using the other, it is worth having your pediatrician take a look. The cause is often something simple and treatable, like a minor hip or muscle issue, but early evaluation helps ensure the best outcome.
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby Has Jerky Movements
Newborns and young babies often have jerky, uncoordinated movements because their nervous systems are still developing. What looks like random flailing is actually your baby learning how their body works. These movements typically become smoother and more controlled by 3-4 months as motor skills mature.
Baby Not Bearing Weight on Arms
Bearing weight on the arms is a gradual skill that develops during the first 6 months. Babies first prop up on their forearms around 2 to 4 months, then progress to pushing up on extended arms by 5 to 6 months. Regular tummy time is the best way to build this strength, even if your baby protests at first.