6-to-9-month-old
Is My 6-to-9-Month-Old Developing Normally in Motor Skills?
Between 6 and 9 months, most babies learn to sit, roll both ways, reach for toys and pass objects hand to hand — across a wide, healthy range. Seek a gentle developmental check if your baby isn't starting to sit with support by around 9 months, isn't reaching for things, feels very stiff or floppy, or only uses one side of the body. This is information and reassurance, not a diagnosis — early support works beautifully at this age.
Watching your baby reach, roll and sit — and wondering if it's all on track — is one of the most natural parts of loving them.
In short
Between 6 and 9 months, most babies are busy learning to sit, roll both ways, reach for toys and pass them hand to hand. There is a wide, healthy range here — some babies sit steadily at 6 months, others closer to 9, and both can be perfectly typical. A gentle developmental check is wise if your baby isn't beginning to sit with support, isn't reaching for things, feels very stiff or very floppy, or only ever uses one side of the body. This is reassurance and information — not a diagnosis.What to watch at 6–9 months
Motor skills bloom on a spectrum, not a fixed timetable. Many babies in this window are starting to:- Sit — first with hands propped, then steadily on their own as the months go by.
- Roll both ways, and push up on their arms during tummy time.
- Reach and grasp — stretching for toys, holding them, and passing an object from one hand to the other.
- Bear some weight on their legs when held standing, and begin to bounce.
Gentle flags that deserve a clinician's calm look include:
- No sitting with support beginning to emerge by around 9 months.
- Not reaching for or grasping toys.
- Stiffness or floppiness — limbs that feel very tight or unusually loose.
- One-sided use — strongly favouring one hand or one side, or not using one limb.
- Loss of a skill your baby previously had.
Remember that babies who spend lots of time on their tummies, and who have room to explore, often build these skills sooner — and a slightly slower starter is very often simply finding their own pace.
When to act
If your baby isn't beginning to sit with support, isn't reaching for objects, feels markedly stiff or floppy, or uses only one side of the body, arrange a developmental check now rather than waiting. Your daily observations are valuable clinical information — trust them.The Pinnacle way
A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care — never from an online list. Our clinicians watch how your baby moves, plays and explores, then shape gentle, play-led support around their strengths. Our occupational therapy team can guide tummy time, reaching and sitting play, and you can always begin with a simple [developmental check](/).Trusted sources
CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" guidance for 6 and 9 months; American Academy of Pediatrics (healthychildren.org) on infant motor development and tummy time; WHO Nurturing Care framework on responsive caregiving and early development.Next step — Trust what you've noticed. Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician for a calm, clear review of your baby's motor milestones.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
What to watch
Seek a check if your baby isn't beginning to sit with support by around 9 months, isn't reaching for or grasping toys, feels very stiff or very floppy, strongly favours one side or doesn't use one limb, or has lost a skill they once had.
Try this at home
Give plenty of supervised tummy time and place favourite toys just out of reach — this naturally encourages reaching, rolling and the core strength that leads to sitting.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
When should my baby be able to sit on their own?
Many babies sit with hands propped around 6 months and sit steadily without support closer to 8 or 9 months. There's a wide healthy range. If your baby isn't beginning to sit with support by around 9 months, a gentle developmental check is wise.
Is it normal for my 7-month-old to not crawl yet?
Yes — crawling varies enormously and many babies skip it or start later, sometimes moving by rolling, bottom-shuffling or commando-crawling first. At 7 months the more useful things to watch are reaching, rolling and beginning to sit. Crawling is not a fixed milestone for this window.
Should I worry if my baby favours one hand?
A strong preference for one hand or one side before 12 months can be worth a clinician's look, as babies this young usually use both hands fairly evenly. If you notice your baby consistently ignoring one side or one limb, arrange a developmental check.