When do babies start crawling?

When do babies crawl?

Most babies learn to crawl between 7 months old and 10 months old, according to the American Academy of PediatricsOpens a new window (AAP). Of course, there will be some babies who develop the skill sooner or later than this average. And keep in mind that premature babies may crawl several months later than their peers.

Some babies don't ever do a typical crawl. They may use other methods of getting around – like scooting on their bottom, slithering on their stomach, or rolling across the room. Or they may skip crawling entirely and move directly to pulling up, standing, cruising, and walking.

The Centers for Disease Control and PreventionOpens a new window (CDC) recently removed crawling from its list of developmental milestones. "It was a surprising shift – but one that reflects current research that traditional crawling isn't necessarily a prerequisite for walking," says Rebecca ParlakianOpens a new window, senior director of programs at Zero to Three, a membership-based organization of professionals devoted to child development.

How babies learn to crawl

"The process of learning to crawl is actually pretty complex," explains Zero to ThreeOpens a new window. "Babies need to coordinate the movement of their arms and legs, and develop the muscle strength in their arms, shoulders, and legs to support their weight."

Before any crawling happens, babies also need strong head and neck control and good balance. Crawling is a big endeavor for babies, and getting there will take months of practice.

Newborns

Your baby may not like those early tummy time sessions, but this exercise is crucial in helping them strengthen their whole body. Just a few minutes of tummy time several times a day will help your infant gain the strength and coordination they need to eventually sit up and move around.

1 to 2 months

All that tummy time will start to pay off, and by now your baby may be lifting their head and turning it from side to side when lying on their belly. They don't have much control over their body yet, though.

3 to 6 months

Beginning around 3 months old, your baby may do a "mini pushup" when placed on their stomach, lifting their head and shoulders high and using their arms for support. This helps strengthen the muscles they'll use to roll over and crawl.

Soon after that, your baby will learn to roll over from their tummy to their back. You can encourage them by putting toys just out of their reach on one side or the other.

Around 5 or 6 months old, your baby will probably be able to roll over from back to tummy, and sit up with help from you, a baby seat, or a pillow. Most babies love sitting with assistance: It gives them a new perspective, and helps them gain better balance. They're still wobbly at this point, though, so make sure to stay close and supervise your baby when they sit supported.

7 to 8 months

After your baby is able to sit up well on their own (probably by 8 or 9 months old), they'll practice getting on their hands and knees from a sitting position. They're strong enough to hold their head up to look around, their balance is good, and their muscles are primed for the next big event: crawling!

9 to 10 months

As your baby learns to move confidently from a sitting position to all fours, they'll soon realize they can rock back and forth and push off with their knees to crawl. They may master the advanced technique called "cross-crawling" – moving one arm and the opposite leg together when they move forward, rather than using an arm and a leg from the same side. After that, practice makes perfect.

Types of crawling

Crawling on their hands and knees is just one way babies get mobile.

"Babies can get about in a variety of ways, including crawling, scooting on their bottoms, 'commando crawling' on their bellies, and more," says Parlakian. "Some parents wonder if there's a benefit to crawling the 'traditional' way, and the answer seems to be yes – slightly. One studyOpens a new window that looked at data from more than 47,000 babies found that 'traditional' crawlers did walk sooner than 'bottom scooters,' but only by about a month."

Here are some of the ways your baby may choose to get around (they're all perfectly legitimate!):

Cross-crawling (the classic): The classic crawl happens when a baby positioned on their hands and knees moves the opposite leg and arm in a coordinated act. This is the type of crawling popularized in movies and books and probably the first type that comes to mind.

Bear crawl: Much like the classic crawl, the bear crawl involves being on all fours, but with the knees and elbows lifted off the ground and the arms and legs extended. It almost looks as if your baby is purposely trying to keep their knees from touching the floor.

Bottom scooting: Once your baby is sitting up, they may scoot around on their bottom, using their legs and feet to propel them forward. They may extend their arms to help them balance.

Commando crawl: Babies who prefer this style slide around, keeping their tummies flat on the floor and using their arms to propel them forward. It's similar to how soldiers creep through enemy territory (hence the name). It's also called belly crawling or creeping.

Crab crawl: A baby sits on their bottom or props up on all fours (like with the bear crawl) and uses their hands and legs to move sideways or backward.

Tripod crawl: In this style, a baby sits up and uses their arms and one leg to move forward.

Rolling crawl: A baby travels from place to place by rolling.

Should you teach your baby to crawl?

Once babies learn to sit up unassisted, they soon figure out how to get around on their own. You don't need to teach your baby to crawl, but it's fun to encourage them.

"Encouraging your baby to gain muscle strength through tummy time, sitting upright, and bearing weight on their legs while supported can speed up the process," says Liz Donner, M.D., a pediatric hospitalist at Nemours Children's HealthOpens a new window in Orlando, FL and member of BabyCenter's Medical Advisory Board.

Here are some good ways to help your baby get mobile:

• Tummy time. Give your baby plenty of tummy time, right from the start. This will help them develop the muscles that they need to crawl. Tummy time also helps your baby avoid getting a flat spot on their head, which can happen when infants spend a lot of time on their backs.
• Practice sitting: Sitting up with assistance is one way to help your baby improve their balance. Around 4 to 6 months, sit your baby upright propped against pillows or with the support of a baby seat or your hands.
• Practice weight bearing. Hold your baby in a standing position, and let them feel the weight of their bodies. This will help them develop strength in their legs and core muscles.
• Incentives to move. The best way to encourage crawling – as with reaching and grabbing – is to place toys and other desirable objects just beyond your baby's reach. The AAP also suggests using pillows, boxes, and sofa cushions to create obstacle courses for your beginning crawler to navigate. This will help improve their confidence, speed, and agility. Just make sure to supervise!

Note: A crawling baby can get into a lot of trouble. Make sure your house is babyproofed, including having baby gates to block stairways (top and bottom) and other dangerous areas.

Can babies skip crawling?

Yes. Some babies never crawl, and that's fine.

Many years ago, there was a theory that babies who didn't reach movement milestones in order were at risk for learning and developmental disabilities. Research proved that this isn't true, but the myth persists, and many parents worry when their babies don't crawl by a specific age or choose a non-traditional moving style.

"A few children never crawl," says the AAP. "Instead, they use alternative methods, such as scooting on their bottoms or slithering on their stomachs. As long as your baby is coordinating each side of her body and using each arm and leg equally, there's no cause for concern. The important thing is that she's able to explore her surroundings and is strengthening her body in preparation for walking."

Of course, bring it up with your baby's doctor if you're concerned about any developmental delay. And talk with the doctor if by 1 year old your baby:

• Doesn't seem interested in moving around to get to a destination (by any means)
• Isn't meeting developmental milestones, such as sitting up or rolling over
• Hasn't figured out how to move their arms and legs together in a coordinated motion
• Doesn't use both arms and legs equally.

After your baby crawls, what's next?

After your baby has mastered crawling, the only thing between them and complete mobility is learning to walk. To that end, they'll soon begin pulling up on everything they can reach, whether it's the coffee table, crib rail, or your leg.

Once they get the feel of balancing on their legs, they'll be ready to cruise while holding on to furniture. They'll learn to stand on their own for a few seconds, and eventually take a few steps. Then it's just a matter of time until your baby is walking, running, and jumping.

Learn more:

• Your preemie baby's growth and development
• When do babies start talking?
• When do babies start grabbing things?
• Sample baby schedules for 9- and 10-month-olds