Baby Week 43 Development: What to Expect

Q: Is it normal for a 43 week old baby not to walk yet?

Absolutely. While some babies take first steps around 43 weeks, many perfectly healthy babies do not walk until 14 or even 18 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers the normal range for independent walking to be 9 to 18 months.

29 de julio de 2025|Poco Koko Team

Something funny happened this week -- literally. Your 43 week old baby looked at you, held a sock up to their ear like a phone, and waited for you to laugh. When you did, they did it again. And again. Welcome to the age of intentional humor, where your baby is not just absorbing the world but actively trying to get a reaction out of it. At roughly 11 months, week 43 brings a remarkable blend of physical confidence and social sophistication. Your baby is standing alone for longer stretches, producing their first recognizable words, and imitating the everyday actions they have been watching you perform for months. Here is what is happening and how to support it all.

Quick Answer

At 43 weeks, babies often stand unsupported for several seconds, say 1-3 recognizable words, imitate household actions like sweeping or talking on the phone, clap and wave on cue, and begin showing early humor by repeating actions that make you laugh.

What's Happening at Week 43

Physical Development

Standing without holding on is the headline physical milestone this week. Your baby has been pulling up and cruising for weeks, and now they are starting to let go -- not by accident, but on purpose. They may stand unsupported for 5 to 10 seconds before carefully lowering themselves or grabbing nearby furniture. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most babies stand alone briefly between 9 and 12 months, and your 43-week-old is right on track. Some babies at this stage are also beginning to take those first tentative steps, though many will wait a few more weeks. Both timelines are completely normal.

Balance is improving rapidly because the core muscles and proprioceptive system have been quietly strengthening through every crawl, pull-up, and cruise. You may notice your baby squatting down from standing to pick something up and then rising back to their feet -- a movement that requires impressive coordination.

Cognitive and Language Development

The first real words typically appear between 10 and 14 months, and many 43-week-olds are already using 1-3 words with consistent meaning. "Mama," "dada," and "no" are common favorites. The CDC milestone guidelines note that by 12 months babies should be using at least one word besides "mama" or "dada," so early word production at this stage is an encouraging sign.

Imitation has shifted from simple copying to delayed reproduction. Your baby may pick up a broom and push it across the floor hours after watching you sweep, or hold a block to their ear because they saw you on the phone yesterday. This deferred imitation shows that long-term memory is forming and your baby understands that objects have specific purposes.

Social and Emotional Development

Clapping and waving on cue are well established now, and your baby uses these gestures socially -- waving "bye bye" when someone heads for the door, clapping when you sing a favorite song. Most delightfully, early humor is emerging. Babies at 43 weeks begin to understand incongruity: putting a bowl on their head instead of eating from it, making a silly face and pausing to see if you notice. When you laugh, they learn that their actions can influence your emotions, a foundational social skill. In our experience watching families use play spaces, this is one of the most joyful stages parents describe -- the moment their baby becomes genuinely funny on purpose.

Best Activities for Week 43

1. Imitation Play Station
Set out a few "real life" props -- a toy broom, a play phone, a soft cloth for wiping surfaces. Demonstrate an action slowly, then hand the object to your baby. Narrate what you are doing: "I am sweeping the floor! Can you sweep?" This builds vocabulary, reinforces cause and effect, and channels your baby's natural imitation drive into purposeful play.

2. Freestanding Balance Games
While your baby stands holding furniture, offer an enticing toy that requires two hands to hold -- a large ball or a stuffed animal. To grab it, they have to let go. Stay close and celebrate every second of independent standing. Gradually increase the challenge by offering the toy from slightly farther away.

3. Humor and Surprise Games
Play simple surprise games -- hide behind a pillow and pop up with a silly sound, put a toy on your head and let it fall off, or pretend to eat their shoe. Your baby will begin attempting their own versions of these jokes. Laugh generously. You are teaching them that social interaction is rewarding, which motivates further communication.

4. Word-Building Conversations
When your baby says a word or word-like sound, expand on it. If they say "ba" while pointing at a ball, respond with "Ball! Yes, the big red ball. Do you want the ball?" This technique, called expansion, is well-supported by child language research and naturally builds vocabulary without correction or pressure.

5. Clap-Along Songs
Songs like "If You're Happy and You Know It" or "Patty Cake" give your baby a chance to clap and wave in context, reinforcing their gestural communication and building rhythm awareness. Pause before the clapping part and watch them anticipate it -- that anticipation shows impressive memory and pattern recognition.

Creating the Right Environment

At 43 weeks your baby is standing, squatting, and experimenting with balance dozens of times a day. Every one of those attempts comes with the possibility of a backward fall onto a hard surface -- and at this age, a painful landing can make a baby reluctant to try again. The practice environment matters as much as the practice itself.

A PocoKoko memory foam play rug delivers 1.3 inches of CertiPUR-US certified cushioning that turns hard falls into soft landings, keeping your baby confident enough to keep experimenting. The non-slip backing stays put even when your baby pushes off from furniture during standing practice, and the machine-washable cover handles the inevitable messes from imitation cooking play and snack time. Because it looks like a stylish area rug rather than a primary-colored foam puzzle, it fits naturally in your living room where your baby spends most of their standing practice time.

43 week old baby standing alone on PocoKoko memory foam play rug in modern living room

11 month old baby imitating phone call during play on cushioned play rug

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

Every baby develops at their own pace, and week 43 falls within a wide window of normal for many milestones. However, the AAP recommends contacting your pediatrician if your baby does not bear weight on their legs when held upright, does not babble or use any consonant sounds, shows no interest in gestures like waving or pointing, does not respond to their name, or seems to have lost skills they previously had. Early evaluation is always worthwhile -- it leads either to reassurance or to early intervention that makes a real difference.

FAQ

What should a 43 week old baby be doing?
At 43 weeks, most babies stand alone briefly, say 1-3 words with meaning, imitate everyday actions they have observed, clap and wave on cue, and show early humor by repeating actions that get a laugh. Many are also cruising confidently and some may be taking first steps. Fine motor skills allow them to pick up small objects, stack a block or two, and explore containers. Every baby has their own timeline, so variations are completely normal.

Is it normal for a 43 week old baby not to walk yet?
Absolutely. While some babies take their first independent steps around 43 weeks, many perfectly healthy babies do not walk until 14 or even 18 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers the normal range for independent walking to be 9 to 18 months. Cruising along furniture and standing alone are strong indicators that walking is on its way. Focus on providing safe practice opportunities rather than hitting a specific date.

How can I encourage my 43 week old baby to talk?
The most effective strategy is responsive conversation. When your baby makes sounds or says a word, respond immediately with an expanded version -- if they say "da," say "Dog! You see the dog!" Narrate your daily routines, read books together, and sing songs with repetitive phrases. Avoid correcting pronunciation; instead model the correct form naturally. According to child language researchers, babies whose caregivers respond to their vocalizations develop larger vocabularies by age two.