Pulling up Safely to Stand

We have wood floors, too. My 14 month old pulled to a stand around 6.5 months and I was worried about the same issue. However, it seemed to have no impact on her at all. If she fell, she fell on her bottom (which is chubby to being with but also extra padded since we use cloth diapers). Kids just want to acquire the skill, they don't seem to care if they fall and tumble around in the process!!

Basically, all has been said already : ) If you are using table cloths or runners, I would put those away for now.
Also, need to review habits in regards to placing items on tables, night stands, bathroom and kitchen counters as soon he will be able to get there.... Start using the back burners of the stove first, not the front ones and turn pot handles in... Other than that - yeah! new adventures coming up for him! Our youngest was soooo proud of herself when she recently let go and walked, we could just tell and you will see these moments too!
All the best!

J., don't worry about it, he won't get hurt. If you think about it, babies are not very tall at all, so they don't have very far to fall, and most of them are quite chuncky, so they have cushy butts to soften there landing.

I can see your concern about the hardwood floors, but this is just part of it. I was mortified to be bringing my son to his 9 mo checkup because of all the bumps and bruises on his little head. But his doctor just laughed and said "Oh good! Someone started pulling up! Good job buddy." My sister's doctor told her they are more concerned when they DONT see the bumps and bruises because either the baby isnt developing on track or isn't being allowed to develop properly. So don't worry about that aspect.

I just made sure he didn't pull up near the fireplace marble or anything else that was dangerous. I got a leather ottoman for a coffee table to replace my razor sharp edged table. And then I just let him do it. The earlier they pull up the more they fall I think. My son started crawling at like 7 mos I think and within a week was pulling up and cruising around the furniture. He was so unsteady he fell constantly. He would cry a little sometimes if it was a particularly big bump, but it wasn't a big deal. If you think about when you get hurt- say you bump your knee and get a bruise. Yeah, it hurts for a minute and you get irritated but then you get over it because it's just not that big a deal. Same thing for babies.

Just make sure things are secure if they can fall on him, put non-skid pads on stuff, and you can maybe get one of those jigsaw puzzle type playmats and put his activity center on it. That will work for a little while until he gets bored but by then he might be a little more steady.

Edited to add:
Don't put him in shoes to learn to stand as another poster suggested. Shoes are not good for newly developing feet. If his feet need protection, use shoes, otherwise babies learning to crawl and walk should be barefoot.

Babies are built low to the ground for a reason! And being willing to risk a fall is a natural and part of establishing the sense of balance, and eventually results in walking.

Beyond keeping obvious dangers out of his reach, trust the process. He'll land on his biscuits hundreds of times in the next few months. My grandson (now 4) also deliberately crashes onto his knees, behind, or even belly during play. No pain, no problems, no bruises.

Kids are going to fall, so as long as there aren't any dangerous items near his reach, then you just have to let him go. I'm amazed at how much my son falls and steps on his toys and how it doesn't bother him. You might try putting some non slip pads under the table and furniture legs and hopefully that will stop them from moving when he pulls up on them.

If he falls then he falls... he'll most likely fall on his diaper-padded behind. I've had 3 kids and they each fell numerous times... and they are still alive. Don't worry- falling is part of the process, whether it's on hardwood, carpet, tile or slate floor.

At 8 months his legs are to ready to stand on yet, especially if you say the furniture moves when he tries (he is using his upper body strength). it is usually now encouraged either (can become bow-legged). If it is his desire, as you say, there are exercises that you can do with him to strengthen those little legs safely. Those are usually done with him on your lap and holding his hands, like deep knee bends for us, but without you using any force. Can't really remember, it has been so long for me, but maybe you can google it.
Those active little boys are hard to keep down. i had one of mine inline skating at 2 and bike riding (no training wheels) by 3. they all go at their own pace. good to ask the pediatrian on your next visit. any concern he'd notice, he'd send to a specialist, otherwise he'd give the green light.
ps hardwood floors are great as long as there are no socks on the feet. good solid shoes (even ones that are too big) do help with stability as well.

I probably will sound like I should be reported to CPS but my answer is to let him fall and learn now, when he's still so little rather than wait till they turn a big tall 3-4yo and a bit heavier too and they dont know how to fall and they fall hard onto their head. Right now their little tushies are padded and they're learning and they're not moving very fast and they are learning how to balance, how to judge their capabilities vs risk, how to catch themselves, etc. ONLY experience can teach this.

But. If it makes you feel better, go ahead and put a throw rug or a bathroom non-skid rug along where he does most of his pulling up.

While they are going through this "fun" stage , all you can do is be sure to move any obvious dangers out his way , such as glass top coffee tables , pokers for the fire that kind of thing , if you notice him trying to pull himself up on something that is going to tip over then you need to remove from it and place him next to something that he can pull up on , when you need to shower etc then this is now the time that he needs to be put in his crib while you do so , he will whine/cry but you have to know that he is safe. I know there are times when you will leave the room for a second and he will fall , but that is all part of learning and you cannot prevent every tumble that he will have (and there will be many) , just go around your home on your hands and knees and imagine yourself at his height and look for things that he can pull down on himself and move them , things on shelves that were once out of reach will now or soon will become reachable so just remember not to leave things to close to the edge , pans on the stove , a knife on the counter.

Have fun with this new stage!!

We had tile floors all through our condo when my son was learning to walk, and I did the same thing! I was so scared of him falling down and getting hurt that I would "spot" him whenever he pulled up on anything. My grandmother told me to just relax and let him learn on his own (while keeping an eye on him, of course!). He started pulling up more and more and I eventually worried less and less, and aside from the occasion light fall, everything was fine. That's not a dumb question, either :) Good luck!!!

I'm pretty sure both of mine learned to stand in the pack n' play. Nothing to worry about in there...

developmentally a baby should not walk before they have crawled a while etc. IF you can discourage it and make sure that your baby is crawling all over first do that...it is so important for brain development. Many parents think if their child stands soon or walks that it makes them smarter....it can be a diservice for your baby. I would help your baby and not allow him to do it on his own right now. Their little brains are not developed enough and have not experienced the world long enough to understand the consequences...that is why babies usually walk around 1 year old because they have a better understanding of the world they are in (home) so they can make conclusions on their actions. Dont rush it.....you can help him to enjoy the activity but encourage the other milestones first:) BEst of luck!

Our daughter walked at 6 months, no kidding.. We have all hardwood floors and a huge glass coffee table.. Never had a problem, just had to always be around watching. We also placed her in a walker when we were not able to keep up with her while cooking, running to the washing machine.etc.. You can not stop them, they will grow and progress at their own rate.. make sure to childproof everything. Get on your own hands and knees and look down, ahead and up to see what your child could get into..