Some babies start their crawling engines at six or seven months. Others don't get up and go on all fours until nine or 10 months.
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Transcript:
Is your baby on the go on all fours and all cylinders? Or is your little one content to stay firmly planted on his tush, no ifs, ands, or buts? If there's one milestone that runs the gamut and then some, crawling is it.
Some babies start their crawling engines at six or seven months, especially if they've put in plenty of supervised playtime on their bellies. Others don't get up and go on all fours until nine or 10 months. And still others skip crawling altogether and jump straight to standing, cruising, or walking.
Not only is crawling late to the party, or not crawling at all, normal; it's a trend among tots who don't spend much time on their tummies. Crawling is considered an optional skill and a milestone that can be missed without raising developmental red flags.
Babies who do join the crawling club participate in all sorts of ways. Techniques vary, and any free-style counts, not just the classic crawl. Some babies creep, aka The Army Crawl, using their elbows to pull themselves forward, and dragging their tummies and legs behind. Others scoot on their bottoms, and still others move along tripod style, with both hands and one knee pushing their body forward as the other leg comes along for the ride. Your baby might start with one style and progress to another, or her one-of-a-kind style may stick until she strikes out on two feet. It's all legit, and it's all crazy cute.
Your baby isn't budging from his butt? Don't stress, but do make sure he gets plenty of tummy time so he can practice raising himself up on all fours, building the muscles needed to make his move, whenever, however.
Bait baby on her belly by putting a toy or a mirror just beyond a reach. She may stretch to get a closer look. Or get down on your tummy in front of your baby and cheer on her moves. Watch: she may rock back and forth until she figures out her own way to creep along, inch by inch.
Consider, too, if it's the floor surface that's has crawling at a standstill; baby won't be able to get traction on a super slippery surface. And dress your little one for crawling success; stretchy leggings may help her keep pace, but extra long pants will trip her up. Sometimes no pants are the best pants of all; just make sure the surface your let your baby loose on won't rub that tender skin the wrong way.
Is your baby creeping at a snail's pace? That pace will pick up quickly, and before you can stay, "Don't touch," he'll be clear across the room, with his hands on the remote you thought was safely out of his reach. Be ready for sudden accelerations by removing hazards and breakables from baby's path, and whatever you do, don't blink. A crawling baby can run, and climb, into trouble as fast as any walker, maybe faster.
Will your early crawler be an early walker? Maybe, maybe not. Some babies are so speedy on all fours, they're in no hurry to graduate to two feet. Babies who don't crawl at all, or who never achieve speed racer status with their crawl, may take a stand, and a leap to walking, faster. Or not. After all, remember, every baby's different. Here's to getting a move on, baby!
