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Motor Milestones for Your 6-to-9-Month-Old
Between 6 and 9 months, most babies sit without support, roll both ways, push up on straight arms, bear weight when held, pass toys hand to hand, and begin to crawl. Milestones come in a range, so steady progress matters most — and a gentle check is wise if your baby isn't sitting or reaching by 9 months.
In this answer 5 sections
Every wobble, push-up and reach is your baby quietly rehearsing for the day they sit, crawl and stand — and 6 to 9 months is when so much of that happens.
In short
Between 6 and 9 months, most babies learn to sit steadily on their own, roll both ways, push up on straight arms, bear weight on their legs when held, and reach for and pass toys from hand to hand. Many begin to creep or crawl and rake small objects into their grasp. Milestones arrive across a range, not on a fixed date — what matters most is steady forward progress.
What most babies are doing
Big movements (gross motor)
- Sits without support, with a straight back, by around 7–9 months
- Rolls confidently both ways (tummy-to-back and back-to-tummy)
- Pushes chest up on straight arms during tummy time
- Bears weight and bounces when held standing
- Starts to rock on hands and knees, creep or crawl
Hands and fine motor
- Reaches for toys with one hand and brings them to the mouth
- Passes a toy from one hand to the other
- Bangs objects together and explores with fingers
- Begins raking small items toward the palm
When to check in
Mention it at your next visit if, by 9 months, your baby is not sitting with support, seems very stiff or very floppy, isn't reaching for things, or strongly favours one hand or one side. Persistent loss of a skill they once had always deserves a prompt look. Plenty of tummy time and floor play every day genuinely helps these skills bloom.
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. If you'd like reassurance, our team can map your baby's motor progress and, where helpful, guide gentle occupational therapy to strengthen sitting, reaching and crawling.
Trusted sources
Aligned with WHO ICF neuromusculoskeletal functions (b7), CDC developmental milestones, and AAP/HealthyChildren guidance on infant motor development.
Next step — unsure if your baby is on track? Message the Pinnacle team on WhatsApp at +91 91001 81181 for a friendly developmental check.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Check in by 9 months if your baby is not sitting with support, seems very stiff or very floppy, isn't reaching for toys, or strongly favours one hand or one side. Any loss of a skill once gained deserves a prompt look.
In everyday life
Give your baby plenty of tummy time and floor play each day — set a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage rolling, reaching and the first wriggles toward crawling.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Is it normal that my 8-month-old isn't crawling yet?
Yes — crawling has a wide window and some babies skip it altogether, moving instead to bottom-shuffling or pulling to stand. What matters more is that your baby is sitting steadily, reaching for toys and showing steady progress. If you're unsure, a gentle developmental check can reassure you.
Should my baby be sitting without support by 6 months?
Some babies sit with a little support around 6 months and sit independently closer to 7–9 months. Both are within the normal range. Mention it at your next visit if your baby still isn't sitting with support by 9 months.
My baby seems to favour one hand — is that a concern?
At this age, strongly favouring one hand or one side of the body is worth checking, as babies usually use both hands fairly equally before about 12 months. Share this with your paediatrician or our team for a closer look.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Source referenceICF b7
- Source referenceWHO ICF · Neuromusculoskeletal functions (b7)
- Source referenceCDC · Developmental Milestones
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren · Infant Movement & Development
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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