Q&A: pulling up on...nothing?

Karen writes:

"My 7 month old has been pulling up to a standing position in his crib for a few days now and he is actively searching out other opportunities to do the same around the house. The problem is that we do not have a coffee table or other furniture his level to pull up on. He is keenly eyeing the full bookcases that fill most of the rooms. Our sofa is a futon and we have 2 chairs that would not be sturdy enough to support a strong pull. My question is this: should we purchase a coffee table and other pull-up/cruise friendly furniture for him?"

Well, I would not invest any money in something for my child to pull up on, since I don't have a lot of money and figure they'll go through that phase soon enough anyway. But if you want to buy something, feel free. I'd think carefully about what you buy, though, so that it's still a good purchase once the pulling-up phase is gone.

I guess my top two contenders would be a coffee table (we foolishly gave up our coffee table to make room for an exersaucer--I know!--and have never gotten another one, even though the saucer is long gone) or an activity table. You can buy an activity table (or train table), or you could DIY if you live near an Ikea by buying the size of plain coffee table you like, then going into the toy section and getting the wire bead toys, some train tracks, and some dollhouse parts, and Krazy Gluing or drilling them to the coffee table.

If you're truly insane you could build a sand/water/bean table (or you could just do it and keep it outside for all the fun and none of the vacuuming).

Anyone else have any ideas? I think your son is going to learn to pull up in his crib and in other places you go, so it's only worth getting something else if you truly want that new item. But what do the rest of you think?

Comments

[liz]

Just make sure the book shelves are firmly attached to the wall. Nothing causes guilt like your child pulling a case of books down on his head.

[Rebecca]

Are your bookcases anchored to the wall or sturdy enough for him to pull up? If so, you could do what we have done and remove the books from the second shelf up and put softer toys in place. My daughter loves this. I thinks she feels she is getting into stuff and that makes it fun. Now we left books on the bottom that aren't of great value. She touches them but doesn't pull them out. You will have to see how your son reacts.

You could also use gates...my daughter pulls up on hers, especially when I run to the other room! Also, our futon works for her as well. Even though it is a soft mattress...it is sturdy enough.

Truth be told, she can pull up on anything and your son will soon be able to as well. You will end up worrying less that he doesn't have anything than what he finds...such as bicycles, swaying ottomans, dressers, trash cans...and we ended up having to push our coffee table to the wall because she would pull up and then push it along like a walker!! Therefore, if you do get any furniture get it secondhand.

[CJ]

I just have to say that the pulling up phase is quickly followed by the climb-on-top-of phase, which lasts a lot longer. And isn't nearly as cute until they learn how to land.

[cagey]

We have the Leapfrog Learning Table and my son used to pull up on that all the time - it has the added benefit of providing something entertaining for him to do once he pulled up. :-)

[hedra]

Mom's legs work pretty well, too. They're cheap, and mobile!

A good climber will use an activity table as a step stool to try to get over the gate if you're not watchful. (Same child who can now climb plexiglass barriers at 2...)

Ditto on the bookshelf safety notes. Wall anchors aren't hard to install.

[Jen]

My kiddo has just entered that phase, and yes, it moves quickly. She's now pulling up on walls and the kitchen cabinets as well as my legs.

I second the idea about the Leapfrog table. We've been using ours for at least the past 6 months. (When she was tiny, we took the legs off), and she's still busy playing with it often. And remarkably, it's one of the less annoying electronic toys. Good luck!

[Julie]

A cushy ottoman might be a nice addition to your living room AND a good, soft item for your son to use to stand up. Add a tray, and it's an instant coffee table. :)

[kt]

I wouldn't underestimate your furniture or your son until you've seen him try things out. He'll probably find things you haven't thought of. Given my experience with pulling up on a case of beer, you might try putting a carton of diapers out in the room. That way when he progresses to climb, there isn't that far to go down from. If you think the carton is to small, you could always duck tape two of them together. It may not be pretty, but you're not out $50 or so bucks on some toy you didn't want anyway.

[Sarah]

I don't know how much money you want to spend, but Pottery Barn has a very cool coffee table/activty table with two deep storage drawers underneath.
http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/k3095/index.cfm?pkey=cplafrn%7Ck

[Julia]

Let me add to the chorus of Leapfrog users. This is my son's favorite toy and it's very sturdy to pull up on.

Well, second favorite toy. Favorite is a laundry basket filled with clothes that he can empty one item at a time. Hilarious! Good for hours of fun!