International Board of Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Practice Exam

At what age does a baby typically begin to run, climb, and go up and down stairs with assistance?

1. 9 months

2. 12 months

3. 18 months

4. 2 years

The correct answer is: 18 months

A baby typically begins to run, climb, and go up and down stairs with assistance around 18 months of age. At this stage of development, toddlers are starting to gain more confidence in their mobility and have developed sufficient muscle strength to explore their environment more actively. By 18 months, children are usually able to take their first unsteady steps and can begin to push and pull themselves up as they navigate their surroundings. Climbing and trying to go up and down stairs while holding onto a handrail or another person is a common behavior observed in this age group. This stage is crucial for physical development, as it lays the foundation for more complex movements and coordination that will come as the child grows older. Understanding that development milestones can vary, this age range is generally accepted as when these abilities start to emerge.