One Year Old Not Crawling- Please Advise

You can go if you are bored OMG! I would take her for an evaluation.
You have nothing to lose.. If all is well, great. If she needs therapy,
you are on top of it!! If all is well, she will crawl, cruise and walk within
a short period of time. I would rather be safe than sorry and I am not
alarmist. Good luck.

This might be because she didnt have enough tummy time when younger. If she isnt walking by 18 months worry..otherwise relax.

Hi There,
I am a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. I can tell you that there is great importance to the milestone of crawling. Many kids currently skip crawling because of the lack of Tummy Time, partially because of the "Back to Sleep" Campaign. Because they are not on their belly's as much, they don't develop the muscles in their neck and back as quickly. Crawling also requires and develops bilateral integration, coordination, and visual motor skills. Just because she hasn't crawled yet, doesn't mean that she won't in her own time, but it doesn't hurt to get her evaluated by a Physical Therapist (through Early Intervention). A Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist may be able to pick up on other reasons why she is not crawling, that are not necessarily just related to muscle strength. No offense to Dr.s, but they only see your child for a few minutes, and not in the context of their daily routine, so it is hard to get an accurate measure of the child's overall development. I am sure she is fine, but even if she does not qualify for services, the therapists may have some ideas to help her develop the muscles and coordination she needs to crawl, which also improves and preceeds other parts of development. Crawling encourages visual motor skills and builds strength and coordination. Whether she does it in her own time or with the help of professionals, please don't overlook the importance of this milestone!

"go if you're bored?" What a rude thing to say. Get a new doctor. There is no reason why your concerns should be dismissed, even though he has a medical degree and you don't. Does she try to climb or pull herself up? Does she bounce if you hold her upright and put her feet on a surface? If she does, you might wait a few months and see what she does, but a free evaluation can only ease your mind. They'll either tell you she's fine and give her more time, or they'll say she needs help and she'll get help! Either way, she'll get what she needs and you won't have to worry! I hope you find a good doctor.

I would have her evaluated through the Early Intervention program. I'm not sure how it works in NYC, but upstate we go through the County Department of Health. You simply write a letter requesting an evaluation and mail or fax it in. The evaluation is free and so are the services if your child needs them! Most babies are starting to walk around age 1, so your daughter is delayed and will very likely qualify for services.

Some posters reference the fact that crawling is not a milestone, but if you ask Occupational Therapists, it should be! Crawling builds trunk strength and bilateral coordiation which are both highly correlated to later postural control (sitting in a chair) and the development of writing skills. If you can't hold yourself upright without fatiguing, it is very difficult to write.

Oh- and get a new doctor. Anyone who dismisses your concerns isn't worth your time!

is she a very heavy baby some babies dont crawl cause they cant support thier body weight. I have known some to skip crawling and go straight to walking. I imagine all they would do in therapy is move her legs like she is crawling. I think I would find a phusiotherapy ;and tell the doctor I would like to waste my time. jmo

Dear R., Some children never crawl, she may go straight to walking. Children develop in their own time..... Is she happy, healthy? Happy Thanksgiving... Grandma Mary (mom of 5)

Was she born on time or was she early at all? My 3rd child was 6 wks early and did not crawl until 13 months , she couldn't sit unaided until 8 months and walking didn't happen until 17 months. I also have a friend who's first child was 4 weeks early and she did things later than the "milestones" guidelines , so if she was early , even just a little then take that into consideration. Also has she just literally turned 1 yr , or was that 2 or 3 months ago? I would talk to the Dr again , explain that at the moment you are happy to wait and see what she does , but ask him to tell you at what point you should consider physiotherapy?

Babies either develop mentally or physically. She's probably a very smart little thing. Don't worry about her. She'll get it when she's ready. One little guy I babysit waited until he was close to 8 months before he'd even roll over. Then he was almost 17 months before he walked. HOWEVER--this little guy could carry on a total convo with you by 21 months he spoke that well. Don't worry about your baby. She'll get there :)

I've actually known some children to not crawl at all! Some babies never really get the hang of it and just start walking instead! Its good to know that your doctor/nurses feel that her muscles are well developed. My daughter didn't start walking until 18 months old. She was a knee walker. I was a little concerned so the doctor had me take her to a pediatric orthopedist just to be sure that her hips, knees and ankles were okay. Not sure if this is something you may want to look into? Another thing we tried was Early Intervention. Not sure if where you live they offer this. We had my daughter evaluated and because she qualified to receive their services a physical therapist would come to the house once a week and work with her to build her strength so that she could begin walking. Again, not sure this is necesary for your child, but just a suggestion. I wouldn't worry too much about your child not crawling. Especially since your doctor thinks that her muscles are doing just fine. Does she pull herself up, stand on her own (even for just a second or two?) I wouldn't totally dismiss this "non-crawling" but I don't think its anything to panic over. Hope this helps a little. Best wishes!!

What would I do? Not worry about it. My oldest never crawled on his knees. He did the army man crawl - only on his belly. He didn't walk until he was 18 months old.

Hi R.,
I would leave her alone and not worry; she will be fine. Just, do whatever you would normally do and go on with life. I have five grandchildren and each is different. My two children are different, too. Some things require intervention, but this does not.

F.

I agree to get another doctor, though I'm sure it's more complex than that. I would vote for taking her. My motto with our daughter is that I don't ever want to look back and say I didn't check... Good luck!

Crawling is not a milestone, some children never crawl. If she is not reaching an actual milestone, or is not pulling herself up to standing or cruzing soon, I would get second opinion. It is always better to get an evaluation (for phyiscial therapy) and not need it, than to not get one when you do.

M.

I for one wouldnt be too worried about it. Maybe the nurses at the clinic were just telling you that IF you were worried about it that you could contact a therapist. My almost 1year old grandson has this crazy one legged crawl that he does....he keeps one leg tucked up under him....and just basically uses the one leg to propel himself. I must admit that I worried just a tiny little bit about it...but as he started standing on both feet....pulling himself up and down...and I could see that he was using both legs equally...I relaxed.
Get down on the floor with your daughter...put toys just out of her reach and encourage her to go get them...give her a REASON to crawl...and I bet she will reward your efforts before too long. Then you will be LONGING for the days when you could put her in one spot...turn your back for 10 seconds and still find her in the same place when you turn back...lol.

It doesn't hurt to take her for the therapy evaluation and see what they think, whether or not she needs it. Honestly, some babies never crawl and at a year, it's really too late for her to need to do that. She should be getting ready to walk. Can she pull herself into a sitting position on her own? Does she pull up on the furniture and cruise around it while holding on? Those are really the things I'd be concerned about. If it was me, however, as I said, I'd take her for the evaluation.

she'll start crawling when she's ready, probably ready to start walking....put some activities/toys that look appealing and out of reach, that may help motivate her move to "get it"

I would not be worried about not crawling. Many kids don't crawl and crawling is not considered a milestone for that reason.

R., I know how you feel, I had a hard time with my son not crawling too. At 7-8 months I was so worried that I made sure we had floor time every day. We spent the afternoons on the floor and I used to crawl around making sure he watches me. Putting the toys out of reach so they can get them is an excellent tactic to motivate them. I have friends whose children never crawled, they started walking first and your daughter may be one of them. Tummy time is good too for developing upper body strength. I just wanted my son to crawl first to develop his coordination. All you can do is encourage her and keep showing her how to do it. My son started crawling at 9 months and walking at 15 months. I'm telling you R. he's 3 now and he's turned into a little monkey, very strong and athletic with great coordination. I can't keep up with him. I think about the days when I put him in one place and he stayed there and wish I could do that again. If you still feel uncomfortable with her progress (follow your instincts) call New York's Early Intervention Program to come to your house and evaluate her. If they think she needs it they will send a Physical Therapist to your house once a week to help her. Early Intervention, is a great State run Program that is available till age 3. All the best, Bernie

Some kids never crawl, the just go straight to walking.

If you don't feel like your daughter if physically challenged in other ways than this, then I wouldn't worry about it at all.