One day your baby is happily lying on their playmat or safely contained in a playpen, but then, before you know it, they’re on all fours rocking and ready to move! The days of sitting down and enjoying some calm are behind you because your baby is ready to go. The rolling over to crawling pipeline seems to happen suddenly, but it's the result of months of muscle building, coordination and sheer determination to no longer be contained. Let’s find out when this happens, the stages that your baby goes through and how to encourage them to crawl.
When Do Babies Start Crawling?
Most babies begin crawling sometime between seven and ten months old. The range of when is wide because some babies start showing readiness as early as six months, while others may not crawl until 11 or 12 months and still be developmentally on track. Some babies even skip crawling altogether and move right into walking! With this in mind, the CDC removed crawling from its official developmental milestone checklist, noting that a significant number of healthy babies move straight to pulling up and walking. If your baby doesn’t crawl it’s not automatically a cause for concern.
What matters most is that your little one builds strength, mobility and coordination, whether through classic crawling, scooting, rolling.
Pre-Crawling Milestones: What Comes First
- 0-3 months: Tummy time begins. Short sessions on the belly strengthen neck, shoulder and arm muscles, which are the building blocks for crawling.
- 4-5 months: Rolling and reaching. Baby rolls front-to-back and back-to-front, and begins reaching for objects, building core strength and coordination.
- 5-7 months: Sitting and pivoting. Baby sits independently and may begin pivoting in circles on their belly, which is an early sign of crawling readiness.
- 6-8 months: Rocking on all fours. Baby gets up on hands and knees and rocks forward and backward. This is usually the last stage before crawling begins.
- 7-10 months: First crawling attempts. Baby begins moving forward (or backward!). Some use their belly; others are on their hands and knees for the classic crawl.
Signs Your Baby Is About to Start Crawling
Get ready to second guess all your babyproofing (we all go through it) if you notice your baby doing the following:
- They push up onto their hands and knees (or hands and feet) and hold the position
- They sit independently and can pivot on their belly to reach for toys
- They rock back and forth on all fours building balance and coordination
- They push backward with their arms when lying on their stomach
- They transition from belly to sitting position on their own
Types of Crawling: Every Style Is Valid
There are many ways to crawl and watching your baby find their signature style is fun!
- Belly/commando crawl: Babies pull forward on their stomach using their arms and legs like an army crawl. This style usually happens before the classic crawl.
- Classic crawl: Babies use their opposite hand and knee together to move forward. It’s the most common style that builds full-body coordination.
- Bear crawl: Babies walk on outstretched hands and feet with straight limbs. This may signal their readiness to stand soon.
- Bottom scoot: Babies scoot along in a seated position using their arms to move. Some bottom-scooters skip the classic crawling entirely.
- Rolling crawl: Babies roll to their destination. This feels like a crawling cheat code but it’s a valid early mobility strategy that precedes traditional crawling.
- Crab crawl: Babies bend one knee and keep one leg extended while they move sideways or backward. A little more unusual but still a sign of developing motor control.
How to Encourage Your Baby to Crawl
You can support your baby's crawling journey with simple, playful techniques. The best thing to do is create opportunities for movement and not rush their timeline. There’s no fast track to crawling.
- Start tummy time early. Short, daily sessions from birth build neck, shoulder and arm muscle strength babies need to crawl later on.
- Get down to their level. Get on all fours and rock back and forth. Babies love mimicking caregivers!
- Place a favorite toy just out of reach. This is a great motivation for babies to get moving.
- Support their chest. Place a hand under your baby's belly to help them feel stable enough to attempt forward movement.
- Create safe floor space. A clear, padded area with room to explore gives your baby the confidence and freedom to practice.
Babyproofing for a Crawling Baby: Safety Essentials
Once your baby starts crawling, your home becomes their playground! It’s important to get ahead of safety before they’re mobile.
- Get on the floor. Look around at your baby's eye level to spot hazards you'd miss standing up.
- Install baby gates. Block off staircases, top and bottom, before your baby discovers stairs.
- Secure furniture. Anchor bookshelves, dressers and TV stands to the wall to prevent tipping as your baby begins to pull themselves up.
- Cover electrical outlets. Use outlet covers throughout the home especially in rooms your baby will explore.
- Lock low cabinets. Cleaning products, medications and sharp objects need childproof latches on accessible cabinets.
- Pad sharp edges. Use corner guards on coffee tables and other low furniture with hard edges.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Remember, late or skipped crawling can be completely normal. However, there are some situations that may require speaking to your pediatrician, such as:
- Your baby shows asymmetrical movement like consistently favoring one side of the body over the other
- Your baby isn’t sitting independently by 9-10 months, or is not showing any form of independent mobility
- You notice difficulty moving one or both limbs during tummy time or play
- Your baby has not achieved any independent mobility (crawling, scooting, rolling) by their first birthday
Frequently Asked Questions About Crawling
Average age for crawling?
Crawling usually happens between seven and 10 months with eight to nine being the most common window. However, these ages are ranges that change based on each individual infant. The most important thing to watch for is that your baby finds other ways to move independently.
Signs a baby is about to crawl?
Key signs include: pushing up on hands and knees, rocking back and forth on all fours, pivoting on their belly to reach toys, pushing backward with their arms and transitioning from their belly to a seated position independently. These typically happen two to six weeks before crawling begins.
Can a baby skip crawling?
Yes. Research finds that approximately 4%-15% of babies skip hands-and-knees crawling. Skipping the classic crawl isn’t immediately a cause for concern, especially if your baby has other ways of moving independently.
How to encourage a baby to crawl?
The best ways to encourage crawling include daily tummy time from birth; limiting time in exersaucers, walkers, car seats or strollers because they’re restrictive; dressing your baby in light-weight clothing for easier movement; and providing access to safe, open spaces to freely explore.
Does crawling help with brain development?
Yes. Crawling is associated with improved spatial awareness, early problem-solving skills, sensory integration and more. The coordinated movement of opposite hands and knees also promotes cross-body neural connections that support later skills like reading, writing and hand-eye coordination.
When should I be concerned my baby isn’t crawling?
Speak with your pediatrician if your baby shows asymmetrical movement, isn’t sitting independently by 9-10 months, has difficulty moving their limbs during play or has not achieved independent mobility by 12 months.
