Helping Your Baby Learn To Crawl

Most babies will begin to crawl between the ages of nine and eleven months – although some may be earlier and some later. Crawling is a physical expression of a baby’s natural curiosity and desire to explore their world, and a way to help develop the muscles needed for the next stage of development – walking.

How does crawling happen?

Once your baby can sit upright without support, he will soon find his way onto his hands and knees. At first he won’t be able to do much more than shift his weight backwards and forwards – and he will take great pleasure in being able to do so! After a while, babies learn to propel themselves forwards. Each baby will have his own way of doing this. It can take a while for them to learn the complicated skill of crawling – using the opposite leg and arm in unison – but provided they are getting around a little however they manage it is fine.

How can parents help the process?

When your baby is sitting, and can reach around himself with his hands, you can encourage him to try and crawl simply by creating the need for him to move. Do this by placing things just out of his reach. Favorite toys, interesting objects, books and even yourself. Don’t bring things to him when he cries for them. Create a little frustration in your baby to motivate him to reach out even further and explore his world.

Always stay nearby when your baby is learning to crawl. (This goes without saying throughout your baby’s development.) Once he finds his knees and hands there will be no stopping him – and when it happens it happens all of a sudden. One moment he is quite safe, sitting on his mat with his toy bricks, the next he has disappeared under the sofa!

When will this happen?

Most babies can sit unaided by around seven months. By nine months they may have learnt to get on all fours, and be crawling, or moving around in some fashion, by the time they are eleven months. These are rough guides – don’t worry if your baby is earlier or later. All babies are different. Some babies are crawling as early as six months, others wait until they are a year or more. If your baby is one year old and is showing no signs of wanting to move around in any way, see your pediatrician for advice.

Not all babies crawl. Some move around on their tummies until they learn to kneel, then stand, and then move straight on to walking. Others scoot around on their behinds, pushing themselves forward with their hands and leading with one leg. However your baby manages to move around, the important thing is that he is moving. If he is not a crawler, no amount of cajoling from you will make him into one!

Childproofing

Because crawling can happen so suddenly, it is best to childproof your home as soon as he can sit unsupported. Be careful of side tables that could be knocked over, TVs and DVD players, sharp or very small objects, and particularly stairs. Until your baby can master crawling down, as well as up, stairs it is best to keep him away from them. Fit a secure stair gate as an extra precaution.

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