I have a question... My nine month old sits up, but can't figure out how to crawl, even though I can tell he wants to bad. When he's on his tummy he just lays there for a few minutes before he starts crying, and will literally just lay there and cry instead of rolling over or trying to get up on all fours. He's a little heavy for his age, but he has the strength to crawl and the willpower, but just can't do it. I plan to talk to his doctor about it next week at his checkup, but didn't know if in the meantime any of you might have any advice. The poor thing has so much energy and can't figure out what to do with it. I feel bad for him because he'd be so much happier if he could just move around some more, but I don't know how to help him.
Take him to play with other kids his age and slightly older. I had to take my oldest daughter to the neighbor's house so the little guy 6 weeks older than her could teach her. She learned from watching and immitating. That is how little one learn.
Obviously your doctor should be your first and foremost consultant on these issues, but I did want to let you know that I own the Gymboree Play and Music in Lee's Summit and our Play and Learn program works on those very skills. There are four locations (Lee's Summit, Parkville, Prarie Village and Olathe) so there is probably one near you. I don't get anything for plugging the other locations, I just thought you might find the program beneficial to you. Also, I have seen many babies skip the crawling phase and go straight on to walking. I don't know your little guy, but maybe that is the case with him? Call us if you would like to try out a class and see if it is something you might find beneficial. Our website is www.gymboreeclasses.com and our phone number is (816) 525-PLAY (7529).
my niece was a premie and had problems crawling and walking. Her leg muscles weren't strong enough. The doctor told them to get a big bouncy ball and lay her on it on her lower back area and she would try to sit up on the ball. It strengthened her legs and tummy area and she was crawling within weeks.
Lots of babies, especially chubby ones, have a hard time learning to crawl. Don't worry so much about it. He will get it when he is ready. When he is on his belly you might try to show him the moves of crawling and help him get off his belly. Also, don't try putting him on his belly right after he has eaten. But ultimately, he will just get it when he is ready and it won't be long til you are chasing him all over the house.
Hi S.,
My Daughter never did crawl, she started the commando crawl about 9 months, she was breast fed and very chunky. Is your son able to sit up? What about standing up and walking along the edges of things. My daughter walked along the edges of things way before she did any type of crawling. She could even pull herself up into our bay window, and would stand and pound on the glass, probably not the safest thing, I know, but it was adorable. So she never really crawled, only the commando thing for a short time, but she was already starting to walk by that time. Every child progresses at different rates, my daughter was ahead on motor skills, and behind on social and verbal skills. She is still behind on Verbal skill and she is almost 4, even though at age 3 on math, reading, and vocabulary she tested at a 6 year old level, but she has speech problems. So make sure that your baby is getting time on his toes too, and ask the doctor about the not crawling. Good luck.
M.
My daughter is nine months old, too, and I worry about the same thing. It seems like she's been on the verge of crawling for months now, but she doesn't crawl. She gets around, though, so I try not to worry. (She squirms and rolls.)
I worry, too, because she doesn't pull up on things (my three previous children, different father, were all preparing to walk at this point) and doesn't say anything intentionally. (She says "dada" a lot, but I don't know if she's talking about her dad.) She makes lots of noises but no real words. It's hard not to worry about our children, isn't it?
I wonder if your son would like something that helps him move, like the Jumperoo we were given? With a little kicking action from my daughter she gets a little extra bounce, which she loves.
Hi S.~ I realize i am probably late on answeing this. My daughte ris 11 months old and until around 10 months old she never really crawled. I about died becasue at 9 month i got together with a friend of mine who has a baby 3 days younger than my daughter and her daughter was crawling around EVERYWHERE and pulling up on things. I could not believe it. My daughter has always been pretty content just sitting and playing with toys so i contribute most of it to that. But at 10 months she started army-crawling- and still is mostly- although shw has figured out to crawl now- will only go 4 or 5 real crawls and drops to army crawl because she can get there faster. And now she can pull up and cruise too. But like youu- i was thinking "oh my gosh everyone else's baby is crawling and Gracie isn't. " Until she army crawled she rolled everywhere. She would roll across a room or into the kitchen. My doctor said crawling is the one thing they don't put a real timeline on because every baby does it at different times. So don't stress. Some babies never even crawl they skip to walking. I have a little chubby baby too- and ir ead somewhere that when they are a little heavier sometimes its harder because its more weight to haul around! Be patient- i couldn't wait for her to crawl and now- i can't keep up with her- and some babies are just more content in one place sometimes. He will get there- if everything is develpmenally where it should be i wouldn't worry about it! Good luck!
I think is doing just fine. I have read that many babies don't crawl until later and then just have a short time of crawling (couple of weeks) and then start walking-or some don't crawl at all! My son is 11 months old and while he gets himself into the crawling position, he doesn't move yet. He, too, is a big baby, and I always thought that was why he never liked tummy time and is slower to crawl. I'm sure your doctor will tell you that all babies develop at different rates & as long as he is showing interest & advancing in other areas, he's fine. My son is more of a studier & explorer of items. He looks at every aspect of his toys, turns them upside down, sideways, etc. and is so content just sitting and playing. The only other advice I would give is to make sure he is around other babies so he can actually see what crawling is all about. Also try to entice him to crawl by rolling a ball, hiding a toy under a blanket, or playing peek-a-boo around furniture. He'll get it when he is ready!
I think your baby is doing fine. My son is now 2 and really never learned to crawl. He was also chubby for his age. To help him work out some energy you might consider an rotating/bouncing activity center. Not to metion it will help with his core strength. Crawling is one of this hardest motor skill to coordinate.
