Becoming a parent is like being thrust into a whirlwind of precious, fleeting moments. The first time your baby locks eyes with you, their first toothless grin, the sweet little giggles that warm your heart. One milestone stands out prominently among this cascade of firsts – when your little one starts to crawl. Suddenly, your bundle of joy morphs into an eager explorer, ready to conquer every nook and corner of your home.
In the middle of this beautiful chaos of parenthood, questions may bubble up in your mind. When do babies start crawling? What if my baby doesn't crawl at the same age as my friend's child? These doubts have underscored how important it is for parents to understand their child's development and know when they might need support. So let's embark on this journey together, shedding light on when babies typically start crawling, different crawling styles they may adopt, and how you can safely encourage this exciting developmental milestone.
Introduction to Crawling Development: A Milestone in Infant Mobility
Most babies begin to crawl between 7 and 10 months of age. However, it is important to remember that every baby and their developmental timeline is unique. Some babies may be early bloomers and start scurrying around at 6 months, while others may take their time and move around on all fours later than 10 months. It's also important to note that some infants skip the crawling phase altogether and move directly to standing or walking. Especially for premature babies, calculating developmental milestones is based on their adjusted age.
As of 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that crawling is not a developmental milestone in a baby's growth due to insufficient evidence for the age by which 75% of babies crawl. A milestone, by definition, should be an event that most children achieve at a specific age. With this change acknowledging the wide variety in baby crawling ages, it's more crucial than ever for parents to understand this developmental stage and know when to seek help if needed.
Early Signs of Crawling
While the typical age range gives you an idea of when most babies start crawling, it doesn't provide a full picture. Babies usually go through several stages before they begin to crawl. Though it's commonly cited that there are seven distinct stages, in reality, it can be more complicated than that.
Tummy Time
Tummy time is a vital stage in strengthening all the muscles needed for crawling. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends infants engage in 30 minutes of tummy time and other playful activities spread throughout the day, starting as soon as they are brought home from the hospital [3]. As your baby grows stronger, you'll notice improved head and neck control and they might start pushing up on their arms too.
Pivoting
With stronger head and neck muscles, your baby may start rotating in circles on their belly - their first taste of motion!
Planking
Don’t be surprised if your baby gets into a plank position on hands and toes, or assumes a hands-and-knees position. This is another crucial step towards crawling.
Movement
At this stage, some babies may scoot or even appear to jump forward on their bellies while others might attempt a step or two in the hands-and-knees position.
Rocking
Once your baby can balance on all fours, you may notice them starting to rock backward and forward.
Sitting up
Not all babies will transition from lying down to sitting up by themselves before they crawl, but some do.
Pushing Backward
Interestingly, although forward movement is the ultimate goal, some babies will start by pushing backward with their arms initially.
It's important to remember that not all babies will go through these stages sequentially. Some might skip stages or go out of order; others might work on multiple steps simultaneously. All of this is perfectly normal and part of the unique developmental journey each child embarks upon.
Different Crawling Styles: Exploring Variations in Movement
Classic Crawling (Cross-Crawling)
The baby moves on hands and knees, alternating limbs (right hand and left knee move forward together, then left hand and right knee). It enhances coordination between the left and right sides of the brain and is important for cognitive development. Strengthens core muscles and improves balance.
Commando Crawl (Army Crawl)
The baby lies on their stomach and pulls themselves forward using their elbows and forearms while dragging their legs. It develops upper body strength and helps the baby navigate under low obstacles. It is often a precursor to classic crawling, building necessary muscle strength.
Bear Crawl
The baby moves on hands and feet with knees off the ground, and hips raised. It strengthens the core, shoulders, and legs, and encourages the development of balance and coordination.
Crab Crawl
The baby sits on their bottom and moves backward or sideways using their hands and feet. This builds upper body strength, particularly in the arms and shoulders. It is a playful way to explore different directions of movement.
Inchworm Crawl
The baby pushes their body forward by arching their back and then pulling their knees under their body, resembling an inchworm's movement. It enhances flexibility and core strength, promotes muscle development throughout the entire body, and encourages the baby to experiment with different movements.
Babies typically experiment with various crawling styles as they develop motor skills, muscle strength, and coordination. Each style serves as a milestone in their physical and cognitive growth, helping them explore their environment and build the foundation for walking. Encouraging these different crawling methods can support a baby’s overall development.
Factors Affecting Crawling Development
Physical Readiness
Adequate muscle strength, coordination, and motor skills development are essential for a baby to begin crawling. This includes neck, arm, back, and leg muscles.
Health and Nutrition
Proper nutrition is crucial for muscle development and energy levels, which support the physical demands of crawling. A well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients helps ensure that babies have the necessary strength and stamina. Additionally, overall health, including regular check-ups and vaccinations, is vital in maintaining the physical well-being necessary for reaching crawling milestones.
Environment
A safe, spacious, and stimulating environment encourages exploration and movement. Providing tummy time and reducing time spent in restrictive devices also support crawling development.
Parental Encouragement
Active engagement and encouragement from caregivers can motivate babies to practice crawling. Placing toys just out of reach can inspire movement and exploration.
Individual Differences
Each baby develops at their own pace due to genetic factors, personality, and overall health. Some may crawl early, while others may skip crawling and move directly to walking.
Keeping Your Little Crawler Safe
Once your baby is on the move, it's critical to ensure the environment is safe. Babyproofing becomes crucial at this stage. You might consider getting down on all fours and moving around your house to see the world as your baby does. This can give you insights into potential hazards you need to address. It's also important to always keep an eye on your little explorer. The floor will be the safest place for them from this point on, to aid your worry about bruises or bumps, consider using a crawling mat.
To Sum Up
Embarking on the crawling journey is an exciting phase in both your baby's life and yours as a parent. Remember that every baby is unique – some may start to crawl as early as 6 months, while others may take their time beyond 10 months. Some might skip crawling altogether and move straight to standing or walking. The key is not when they crawl, but that they are developing a curiosity about their surroundings and finding ways to interact with it.
At Raising Superstars, we understand the nuances of child development from our Prodigy Framework program that promotes holistic child development with just a few minutes of screen-free activities each day. Our supportive parent community is always there to share advice and experiences. So as you navigate this incredible journey of parenthood, remember - you're not alone.
