There are many exciting milestones throughout the first year of your baby’s life, and the crawling milestone tops the list for many parents. Seeing your baby be able to explore the world on their own is thrilling – and like with anything baby-related, potentially a little daunting.
While the age babies start crawling and the styles of baby crawling tend to vary, it’s not uncommon for babies to do things on their timeline and in their own unique way.
Read on for answers to common questions such as when do babies start to crawl, what are signs that your infant will soon start to crawl, how to encourage your baby to crawl, and what to do if your baby is not crawling.
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What Age Do Babies Crawl?
There is no one absolute age that babies begin to crawl, however, most babies do start crawling between the ages of 7 and 10 months. Some babies, however, may crawl as young as 6-months-old and others as old as 12 months.
There are also babies that skip crawling altogether and go straight to standing or walking. This happens, and there is no need to worry if your baby skips crawling. When your baby has sufficient muscle strength and coordination, they will begin to mobilize.
There are different stages to crawling and your baby will begin to show signs that crawling is on the horizon when they are physically ready. It is a sweet and wonderful time to watch your baby begin to move around.
Do You Need to Teach Baby to Crawl?
Crawling is a natural developmental milestone that happens when your baby has built enough body strength and coordination. Therefore, you don’t need to formally teach your baby to crawl. However, there are ways to encourage and help your baby develop the strength and skills needed to build the foundation for crawling.
Ways to encourage your baby to crawl
- Offer Plenty of Tummy Time: Tummy time or floor playtime is the best way to build the muscle strength that is needed to help baby crawl. When infants spend time on their bellies, they practice raising their heads off the ground, strengthening the back and torso.
- Put Toys Out of Reach: To help develop arm muscles and coordination, place a favorite toy within reach of your baby and encourage grasping. This not only works arm muscles, it also encourages coordination. Once your baby can balance in this crawling position, try putting a toy out of their reach and encourage them to get it. You might be amazed at how your baby moves towards the toy. Once your cherub has practiced and mastered some of these movement skills, crawling is soon to follow.
- Demonstrate Crawling: It may be fun to get down on all fours and model the crawling position for your baby. Babies love imitating their loved ones!
- Position Them: As your baby gets older, try positioning them all fours. Gently lift your baby’s hips while they are on their hands and knees to help them get used to the crawling position.
As your baby learns to crawl, keep in mind that they may want to practice…a lot. If your baby seems to be protesting naps and bedtime, it may be because they want to practice crawling. It’s normal for reaching baby milestones like crawling to disrupt sleep.
Signs Your Baby is Ready to Crawl
There are different signs that your baby is ready to start crawling. Many signs of crawling happen when playing on the floor. Some signs may be more typical or expected, while others unique to your child. There is no right or wrong signal to indicate your baby is ready to crawl.
Many parents wonder how long after rolling do babies crawl, and the truth is it depends. Your baby may start to roll around 3 to 4 months, and often starts to crawl closer to 7 months.
Early signs your baby is getting ready to crawl
- Looking around the room during tummy time
- Reaching for toys during tummy time
- Sitting up without support
- Rolling from belly to back or vice versa
- Swimming motion, moving arms and legs during tummy time
Signs your baby may crawl soon
- Able to almost get into crawling position
- Rocking back and forth on all fours
- Lunging when on all fours
- Scooting around on bum
- Moving from all fours into a sitting position
- Crawling backwards
- Disrupted sleep or sleep regression
Baby Crawling Styles and Positions
Style of crawling is unique to each baby. What fun it is to see your baby figure out how they want to move!
It’s normal for your baby to try out different styles of crawling. You may notice your baby using their legs, arms, and bellies to get around. Some common crawling positions you may notice as your baby learns to crawl include:
- Belly Crawl, Commando Crawl, or Creeping Crawl: Baby uses arms to drag their body around
- Crab Crawl: Baby moves backwards or sideways using their arms
- Classic Crawl: Baby is on all fours using opposite arms and legs at once
- Bear Crawl: Baby pushes hands up to feet and moving around using opposite arms and legs at once
- Rolling Crawl: Baby rolls around to get to where they want to be
- Bottom Scooter: Baby scoots on their bottom using arms to move forward
There is no right or wrong way for a baby to crawl. Every baby is unique and may differ in ability and timing of developmental milestones. If you are unsure about how your little one is progressing towards crawling, speak with your pediatrician.
What to Do if My Baby Isn’t Crawling?
Every baby has their own timetable to crawl. Some babies may never crawl and will go right to standing and then walk – and that’s often perfectly fine!
For example, if your baby isn’t crawling at 9 months and still not crawling at 11 months or 12 months, but can sit, pull themself to stand while holding on to something, or scoot around on their bottom, their strength and development would be considered on target.
However, if your baby is older than 9-months-old and having difficulty with crawling as well as sitting, pulling themselves to stand, or scooting on their bottom, speak to your pediatrician for more personalized advice or guidance.
Milestones After Crawling
Now that your baby is crawling, they are mobile and ready to explore every part of their environment.
The next phase may include the physical milestones of pulling up to standing position, cruising, standing alone, taking steps while holding on for support, and soon enough, their first few steps without assistance.
Milestones to expect shortly after crawling:
- Pulling up to Standing Position: Baby holds on to furniture and using arms, pulls up to stand.
- Cruising: Baby pulls into a standing position and walks sideways while holding onto furniture.
- Standing Alone: Baby let’s go of what they are holding on to and balances in the upright position. It may last for a second or as baby gets used to standing without support, longer.
- Steps With Assistance: Baby holds on to something or someone for support while taking a few steps.
- First Steps: Baby takes a few steps without support.
Once your baby has mastered crawling, they are ready to “move” on! Crawling takes a lot of energy, so make sure your baby is getting the rest they need to keep practicing, strengthening, and developing. Download the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app to track your baby’s sleep and ensure all their naps and sleep times are age-appropriate and aligned with their biological rhythm – which is key for ensuring they get the most restorative sleep possible.
Keeping Crawling Baby Safe
For parents, a baby starting to crawl may be both an exciting yet trying time as your baby will want to touch anything within reach or move towards things that may be dangerous.
From ensuring a safe sleep environment and play space, to keeping dangerous items out of reach, to keeping doors closed, your baby entering the crawling stage means nothing is off limits to them anymore and some adjustments to wherever they spend time may need to be made. Oftentimes, your baby will get into things you didn’t expect, so it’s important to always keep your eyes on your little one as they start to crawl.
Final Thoughts
It’s amazing to watch your little one grow from an infant, who needed you to move anywhere, to a mobile, crawling little person! Milestones such as crawling are sweet and happen quickly. Take time to enjoy and marvel at how fast you baby is learning and growing.
By continuing to encourage their mobility and keep their environment safe, the crawling stage will be one to remember and set the foundation for the milestones ahead. As with anything baby-related, if you have any questions or concerns whatsover, speak to your pediatrician.
