Sitting, crawling, and cruising

Independent sitting usually arrives between 5 and 8 months, often preceded by a tripod pose with hands planted for balance. Crawling (or scooting, or army-crawling — all count) shows up between 6 and 10 months. Some babies skip crawling entirely. Around 8–10 months, most babies pull to stand using furniture and start cruising — moving sideways along couches or coffee tables holding on with both hands. Cruising is the direct precursor to walking. Give baby unrestricted floor time on a firm, safe surface. Avoid overuse of jumpers, walkers, and containers — they delay natural motor development. A large play mat with a few toys just out of reach is the highest-value setup at every stage.