Should I discourage my 6 month old baby from standing?

Generally speaking, it is not recommended to encourage significant amounts of standing in babies until after 6 months old because their bodies are still developing and not yet fully prepared to bear weight on their legs for prolonged periods of time.

At birth, babies' leg muscles are not yet fully developed and their bones are still soft and pliable (especially their hip joints). As they grow and develop, their leg muscles and bones become stronger and better able to support their weight. However, it takes time for this development to occur, and pushing a baby to stand too early can put excessive stress on their developing bones and muscles.

Additionally, premature standing can interfere with a baby's natural developmental progression. Crawling, rolling, and other forms of movement are important for developing strength, coordination, and balance, and can help babies prepare for standing and walking. Encouraging standing too early can skip over these important developmental stages and potentially lead to developmental delays or muscle imbalances.

Every baby is different and will reach developmental milestones at their own pace. While the above is a general recommendation, some babies may naturally show an interest in standing and may be able to handle a few minutes of weight-bearing activity with supervision from a caregiver. However babies should be spending a majority of their play time on their tummy, sitting (with support initially), and back lying.

If your baby only wants to stand or has difficulty playing on their tummy, side, sitting or back, contact us to have a paediatric physiotherapist assess your child in the comfort of your own home.