Crawling is an important developmental milestone for babies that indicates their motor skills are progressing as expected. Most babies start crawling between 6 and 10 months, but every baby develops at their own pace. Knowing what to look for can help parents identify when their baby is getting ready to crawl and support their development. In this article, we will cover when babies typically start crawling, signs your baby is ready to crawl, tips to encourage crawling, and what to do if your baby isn’t crawling yet.
When Do Babies Normally Start Crawling?
Most babies start crawling between 6 and 10 months of age. Here is an overview of when crawling milestones occur:
6 months
– Many babies can roll from their back to their tummy and lift their head and chest off the ground around 6 months. This strengthens their arm, back, and neck muscles needed for crawling.
7 months
– Babies start rocking back and forth on hands and knees and scooting by 7 months. Rocking builds core strength and scooting shows they are ready to start moving.
8 months
– Most babies crawl for the first time between 8 and 10 months. 8 months is the average age when babies begin crawling.
10 months
– Almost all healthy babies will have started crawling by 10 months. Babies who aren’t crawling by 10 months may have a motor delay.
While this is the typical timeline, some babies start crawling as early as 5 months and others don’t crawl until 12 months or later. Premature babies often reach crawling milestones later as well. Every baby develops differently so try not to compare your baby’s progress to others. Focus on whether your baby is continuing to advance their skills. If they are steadily developing new abilities, they are on the right track.
Signs Your Baby is Ready to Start Crawling
Watch for these signs your baby is building up the strength and coordination to crawl:
They can hold their head up
Crawling requires strong neck and back muscles to keep the head aligned with the spine. If your baby can hold their head steady and upright when sitting or lying on their belly, the neck muscles are getting ready for crawling.
They push up on arms when on their belly
Around 6 months, babies start experimenting with arm extension and pushing up on straightened arms while on their stomach. This shows they are strengthening the arm muscles needed for crawling.
They rock or bounce on hands and knees
Rocking back and forth on hands and knees uses the core strength necessary for crawling movements. It means they are getting ready to coordinate their limbs to move forward.
They can sit upright without support
The ability to sit independently develops trunk stability. Trunk and core strength is key for crawling effectively. If your baby can sit up tall without leaning or falling over, their core is getting ready for mobility.
They scoot or wiggle across the floor
Scooting or wiggling shows your baby understands they can use their arms and legs to get places. This problem-solving skill indicates they are preparing to coordinate limbs for true crawling.
They grasp at objects out of reach
When your baby starts swiping for toys or objects beyond their reach, they are showing interest in mastering mobility to explore independently. Watch for this sign they are eager to crawl.
If your baby is displaying most or all of these signs, crawling is likely just around the corner. Keep providing tummy time and opportunities to play on their belly to further strengthen the muscles and skills needed.
Tips to Encourage Your Baby to Start Crawling
Here are some tips to help your baby continue developing the skills needed to progress to crawling:
Provide plenty of supervised tummy time
Frequent tummy time sessions strengthen the back, arm, and neck muscles babies use for crawling. Aim for a few sessions every day. Place toys just out of reach to motivate them.
Limit time in walkers, bouncers, or swings
Restricting time in restrictive devices encourages your baby to build strength through movement. These products limit the arm and leg motion needed to progress to crawling.
Create an open, safe play space
Baby-proof a room or section of a room and allow your baby plenty of freedom to wiggle, scoot, and rock. Removing furniture barriers gives them space to strengthen emerging mobility skills.
Hold toys to encourage reaching
Holding toys above their head prompts them to reach up. Reaching strengthens the key muscle groups and shows your baby they can use arm movement to engage with objects, motivating them to crawl.
Place toys just out of reach
Putting tempting toys a short distance away encourages movement to reach the desired object. As your baby becomes more mobile, continue placing the toys slightly farther to motivate crawling to get the toy.
Avoid placing babies in seated positions
While helpful at times, carriers, bouncers, and swings can allow babies to “sit and forget.” Reduce sitting time to encourage babies to build strength through active movement.
Cheer on all progress
Celebrate small accomplishments like rolling over, scooting, and rocking back and forth. Your excitement will motivate your baby to continue mastering new skills.
With a little encouragement and plenty of room to experiment, your baby will likely start crawling soon. But if they don’t seem interested in crawling yet, that’s okay too.
What If Your Baby Isn’t Crawling at 10 Months?
While the typical range is 6 to 10 months, many perfectly healthy babies don’t crawl by 10 months. Here are a few reasons your baby might not be crawling yet:
They are content where they are
Some laid-back babies are satisfied staying in one spot if you bring toys to them and interact. If your baby seems happy and is actively learning other skills, they may just not feel a need to crawl yet.
They are scooting instead
Some babies find scooting or rolling more efficient than crawling at first. This is still a form of mobility and shows problem-solving skills, indicating normal development.
They are walking instead
A few exceptionally strong or adept babies go straight to walking without ever crawling. As long as they are regularly meeting physical milestones, skipping crawling is not concerning.
They need more muscle development
Babies with low muscle tone may take a little longer to build the strength needed for crawling. Keep providing tummy time and remain patient.
While any of these are normal explanations, if your baby shows no signs of wanting to move about by 10 months, talk to your pediatrician. Your doctor can assess whether your baby may have a motor delay requiring intervention.
Signs of a potential delay in crawling or other movement include:
– Not rolling over by 7 months
– Cannot bear weight on legs by 9 months
– Not sitting independently by 10 months
– Reaching milestones significantly later than peers
– Not interested in interacting with objects or people
Early intervention services can help babies with motor delays build strength and coordination. Targeted therapies will get crawling back on track.
While most babies crawl between 6 and 10 months, every baby has their own schedule. Focus on whether your little one is continuing to gain new skills vs. hitting fixed dates. As long as they are engaged, interacting, and steadily developing, their crawling timeline is likely right on course.
Conclusion
Crawling is an exciting milestone that shows babies are ready to actively explore their surroundings. While most babies start crawling between 6 and 10 months, all babies develop on their own schedule. Look for signs like rocking on hands and knees, scooting, and sitting unassisted that indicate your baby is building strength and coordination. Provide plenty of tummy time and keep enticing toys just out of reach to encourage the skills needed for crawling. With time and encouragement, your baby will take off crawling across the room before you know it! But if your baby hasn’t started crawling by 10 months, talk to your pediatrician to see if early intervention services could help get their mobility skills on track. With the right support, your baby will be crawling around in no time.