Crawling Question

Because she gets on her hands and knees, it seems like she will start crawling any day. My son didn't crawl, he started walking at 9 months. My daughter crawled, but she didn't walk until she was 18 months old. Good luck.
P. S

Don't sweat it! With my first child, I stressed every developmental step if I got the slightest idea from the dr., another mom, or another baby that he might be doing something earlier. With my third child now 2 years old, I can definitely say that they do it (whatever it is) when they are ready. Just try to enjoy the stage she's at now, and try not to compete with the other babies you see. Have fun!

My oldest son started walking at 10 months and had been crawling for 2-3 months before walking. However, my second never crawled, but finally started walking at 14 months. After starting to walk is when he decided to crawl. My niece never crawled first either. She too started to crawl after learning to walk. I would say it is nothing to worry about and she will do everything in her own time. Each baby is different and does things at different ages. The fact that she is even getting on her hands and knees is an indication that she is headed in the right direction.

J.,
Our little girl did not crawl until she was ten months. We set up a stack of cups that she loved to knock down in front of her and would move them away from her to promote moving forward. One day she took one little crawl forward to knock down the cups. Then we moved the cups away from her again and she crawled a little more. After that, we couldn't keep her in one place! Find a toy that she really likes to play with and use that as an incentive to move forward. It might help.

Don't worry at all! Children all develop at their own rate and all areas of development may develop at different rates with each child, too. I have a student who just started crawling at 17 months, but she also speaks in short sentences and she's great socially. Obviously she's been sitting back watching and learning other things and just didn't feel motivated to crawl yet. It is also connected to genetics. I have a bro-in-law who didn't crawl until he was 15-16 months and all 3 of his kids were the same way! Yes, other parents may comment and you need to make sure the legs get exercise to keep developing the muscles, but your child will crawl when she has desire to and will be fine until then. If you want to chat more my info. is at www.MissLaLasTreehouse.com. At my music & art classes I give extra time after class for families to get to know each other. Many moms, especially 1st-time moms, learn that things their children do are "normal" by discussing them during this time each week and some become friends & do things together outside of class. Come try it some time if you're in the area. Take care, God bless, and do not worry. Just remember (& even tell people if they comment) that EVERY child is different & develops differently & at different times. It's okay. Take care. Lauren/LaLa

My oldest two boys walked at 10 1/2 months, but my 4th child, a girl didn't crawl until 10 1/2 months. I wouldn't worry about it. She'll get around to it eventually. Good luck!

My daughter didn't crawl until 10 months and then walked at 12 months.
Don't worry.

Definitely normal. I think 8.5 months is average. You must know some very advanced babies!

My daughter was also born at 36 weeks and was slow to crawl she started around 10 months but never really crawled a lot. She started walking around 14 months and took off. The pediatrician said some kids just don't like to crawl. She is 6 now so it didn't seem to affect her.

I'm a nursing student with a wonderful 6 year old princess. My husband is active duty Air Force. Loving LIFE!

all babies are different but may I ask do you put her on the floor so she would like to crawl?

Just wanted to say we are where you are! My daughter is about 8 1/2 months too and not crawling yet. She is working on it and it's only a matter of time. Every baby develops at different rates...i'm sure yours will be there in no time...til then just enjoy her staying put :)

Do not worry about the timing of her crawling. She will do it when she is ready. It's hard not to compare your baby to others, but really try not to do this, it will save you alot of stress! My daughter, now 6 and a half, didn't crawl until she was 10 months old and didn't walk until 13 months. At the time, I was a little worried like you are now. Now, She is as normal and active as the others in her class.

Crawling is not considered a "milestone" anymore by most peds because many babies don't do it or have their own variation of it. Is she reaching other milestones at the appropriate age? Is she mobile at all, like a commando crawl with her elbows or scooting on her bottom? For your peace of mind I'd call the ped, but if she is developing normally otherwise, He'll probably agree everything is fine and take a wait and see approach.

I'm no doctor, however, my son didn't crawl until 11 months and didn't walk until 15 months and he is a healthy, happy 3 year old now and RUNS everywhere now.

Just wanted you to know that in our case and a lot of other ones, it's normal...

Best wishes!

I am the mother of 11 and let me assure you that they are all different and have thier own time table. We had one we thought would go straight from not crawling ...just hands and knees to walking. He did finally crawl though. As long as everything else developmentaly looks good I really don't think you need to worry. If other things are looking slow then you might check into it but no two babies have the same time table for achieving those landmark events. I hope that gives you some comfort!

Sincerely,
K. B

Hi J.! If your daughter was born early that can be a reason for delays. My son was only born about 2 weeks early but he definitely is delayed more than other kids. He crawled later than a lot of kids and walked later than other kids....but our doctor says he is doing just fine. I always tell people that it's good to talk to your doctor because each child is definitely different and it's best to get a medical professional's advice. But - just to calm your stress - in my humble opinion, it could very well be normal. Each child is unique and the guidelines telling us when they should be crawling are not going to be perfect. Some people fall in line with the guidelines and others are a few months behind.

First of all, do not compare your child to others. I have two kids and they both did things at different ages. Second, some kids never crawl. They go straight to walking. Next time you see the doctor, mention this. Other than that, make sure you are seeing all the other "firsts" that she is doing.

The best advice I can give you is to relax and don't compare your daughter to any one else. She is her own person and will progress in her own way. If you want to encourage her to get mobile you can begin putting her down a few feet away from her toys and see what she does to get to them. She may surprise you. Personally, I say enjoy this brief moment because once she does start crawling (then walking) there is no going back. She will be into things you never dreamed she could reach and your life will completely change, again. As long as she is otherwise healthy, let her go at her own pace. Enjoy your precious girl!

T.

I don't know how it is with your daughter, but my first child frustrated me because she NEVER crawled. I went through the worry and wait, and bought every toy that I thought would encourage her to go after it and crawl. Then one day at almost 11 months she stood up and walked. Not just a couple steps and fell, she stood up and walked across the room. Crawling was just never on her repertoire and now she is a bright happy intelligent kindergartner. Remember the guidelines are just guidelines, every child will develop differently.

My daghter also took FOREVER to crawl--At almost 9 months she started to drag herself around on her belly -- Although she looked odd she could really get around quickly!--At her 9 month visit doctors visit her dr wanted to do a CT scan of her head because she still hadn't mastered crawling and her head was measurig large on the growth charts--Keep in mind though she is a large baby and her height and weight were very proportionate to her head size......I was in tears because I did not think there was anything developmentally wrong with her....We decided to give her more time. One mistake I was making was not letting her free to explore as much as she should. We would either be holding her all the time or she was in her little walker-just not enough floor time.-At 10 months she got better--still dragging herself but at times she would be up on all fours.......Then at 11 months she just took off.......Regular - up -on- all- fours -crawling and she is FAST! She s 1 year now and still crawling away-we can't keep her still......So my advise to you is give her more time....Every baby develops at a different pace...Just make sure she has plenty of floor time and opportunities to crawl because practice will make perfect...But remember-some babies never crawl and go straight to walking and that is perfectly normal! Hope this helps!

Check it out with your pediatrician. Also, if your local school system has a Parents As Teachers program they can also help you. There is a range for all milestones. as long as your child is in this range you shouldn't worry. Both your peiatrician and a Parents As Teachers parent educator can help you understand this.

www.parentsasteachers.org

Good luck and congratulations on your baby!
Cathy

Every child is different as I am sure you've heard a million times. My son never crawled and then he walked at 9 months. My daughter started crawling around that time and started walking at 13 months. When they get ready to go, they will GO! :)

Mine NEVER crawled. And she didn't walk on her own until after one. I wouldn't worry.

Don't worry! My daughter is 10 months old and just started crawling yesterday!

She will get there. Babies do things in their own time. She's not really nine months yet if she was born early, right? Don't worry unless she passes several more months. It is very important that she crawl a lot, if you keep her out of walkers and play crawling games that will develop her brain connections and help her intelligence and learning skills.

All babies are not the same bc my lil boy has started walking before my friend baby who is 1 already. It take some babies longer than other so you can't get upset. Put her on the floor and get something that gets her attention in put it in front of her out of her way and see if she will crawl to it. I put a rice crispy wrap in front of mine and he like the color and sound and he came after it. So just put her on the floor a lil more each day and see what she does.

If she was born at 36 weeks, I would take that into account and consider her one month younger than her chronological age for those develeopmental expectations.

My first baby cracked me up the way he reached several of those milestones on the exact *day* he turned 3, 5, or 10 months. It was like he had been reading the magazines and said "It's my 10 month birthday - time to
stand up and let go." But he was born after a gestation of 42 weeks and a day (No, I never forget that extra day!)

So, arguably he was about 2 weeks "behind". Whatever.
With my second, I didn't even pay that much attention. I could just tell everything was OK.

Some kids completely skip crawling altogether. They're all different, so don't sweat it.

J.,
I remember that my 1st child didn't roll over (except by accident) until he was 6 months old, and I was so worried. Then he finally rolled over, and he hasn't stopped moving since then. I wrote in his journal that I was going to remember not to stress out so much in the future. Of course, I haven't remembered that in general, but I have remembered it with my other two children when it came to walking and crawling. My daughter (also known as the caboose :)) didn't crawl until she was almost 10 months old and didn't walk until she was 14 months old. She runs everywhere now that she's two and is hard to keep up with! Since she was the 3rd, I enjoyed having her stationery a little longer! Your daughter will do her thing in her own time too. You'll see!

Don't worry! Her day is coming. My first child didn't crawl until she was nine months. It seemed that she was later than most in many areas (crawling, walking, teeth, etc.)and as a first time Mom it was worrisome (especially when everyone is asking you if she is crawling, walking, etc.) BUT she did things in her own time and is perfectly normal. Hang in there.

Hi!
Congrats on your first baby, girls are so much fun! As long as you continue to give lots of 'tummy' time, I wouldnt worry about it. The tummy time will allow the proper curves in her spine to form. It is better for her to be stalling this than it is to go right to walking right now. I would give it time and enjoy her. Before you know it, you'll be chasing her around:) Best of luck.

I have four children and they have all been different. One baby only crawled for a week before walking at 10 months, one never crawled and didn't walk until 15 months, and another started crawling about 10 months and crawled for the longest time. It is still too early to worry about it. If she hasn't started crawling or walking by her next well check-up just mention it to the pediatrician.