At what age can an infant typically push themselves up on all four limbs?

Age of Infant Pushing Up on All Four Limbs

An infant who has just learned to push himself up on all four limbs is typically around 9 months of age. 1, 2

Normal Motor Development Timeline

• At 2 months, infants typically lift head and chest when in prone position 1
• By 4 months, infants roll from prone to supine and support themselves on elbows and wrists in prone position 1
• At 9 months, infants typically achieve several key motor milestones including:
  • Rolling from supine to prone
  • Sitting without support
  • Pulling to stand
  • Coming to sit from lying
  • Crawling (which includes pushing up on all four limbs) 1, 2
• By 12 months, most infants walk independently and can stand 1, 2

Pre-Walking Motor Development Sequence

• Motor development follows a predictable sequence, with pushing up on all fours being an important precursor to crawling and walking 2
• Several important motor milestones precede walking, including rolling over, supporting on elbows in prone position, and sitting without support 2
• The ability to push up on all four limbs represents a significant advancement in core strength and coordination, typically occurring around 9 months 1
• This milestone is part of the phase of secondary variability in postural control development (6-9 months), when infants develop the ability to adapt postural activity to specific situations 3

Clinical Implications

• The ability to push up on all fours is an important developmental milestone that should be monitored during routine pediatric visits 1
• Absence of this milestone by 10-11 months may warrant closer developmental monitoring 1, 2
• Wakeful prone positioning ("tummy time") in early infancy promotes the development of prone-specific motor milestones, including the ability to push up on all fours 4
• This milestone represents important development in postural control, which continues to mature throughout the first 18 months of life 3

When to Be Concerned

• If an infant has not achieved the ability to push up on all fours by 12 months, further evaluation may be warranted 1, 2
• Red flags that warrant further evaluation include asymmetry in motor movements, persistent use of only one side of the body, or loss of previously attained motor skills 2
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends standardized developmental screening at specific ages, particularly if there are concerns about motor development 1

The ability to push up on all four limbs is a significant milestone that demonstrates developing core strength, coordination, and postural control, typically occurring around 9 months of age as part of the normal progression toward independent mobility 1, 2.