Something worth standing up for

When standing starts to appeal, a baby will pull themselves to a standing position every chance they get, and whatever is within reach becomes the handhold. One low, steady surface with something good on top turns that into a chance you set up on purpose: legs taking the weight, arms doing the pulling, and the whole climb their own.

🛡️ Whatever they grab takes their whole weight, so it has to be heavier than they are: anchor bookcases, drawer units and TV stands to the wall, and move anything on castors out of the room before you start. Keep the floor around them soft and clear of hard corners, and look hard at the edge they will be holding: a glass top, a sharp corner or a metal rim is what a head meets on the way down, so pick something else or pad it. Stay within arm's reach — babies reach standing well before they work out how to get back down, so the first descent is usually a drop onto the bottom. Stop when the legs start to shake or the mood turns; tired legs buckle without warning.