As a caregiver, new parents may look to you for answers or insights into major milestones, asking questions like, “When do babies crawl?” Whether you’re a seasoned sitter or new to nannying, having some background knowledge can increase a parent’s confidence in choosing you to care for their baby.
So let’s break down the crawling basics. Like many other developmental stages, crawling is one that different babies reach at different times. Some babies even skip crawling completely and jump straight into standing and walking. In any case, it can be the next step in a baby’s growth and independence.
When Do Babies Start Crawling?
Most babies begin crawling somewhere between six to ten months of age. They may start earlier or later, and that’s perfectly normal! This is one of those milestones that’s difficult to compare to other babies. As a caregiver, you may have one child who started crawling right at six months and another that starts around the year mark. There’s so much variation in a baby’s crawling age, what type of crawling they start with, what styles to follow, and what activities are the most motivating.
Crawling is part of developing more motor skills, but it isn’t the end all be all. There are many activities you can do to help reach other developmental milestones. So gently calm worried parents whose baby may be a late bloomer.
The Stages of Crawling
Before a baby begins to crawl you may see them trying other movements. These movements help them build up the muscles for crawling.
Head Movement
Usually, in their first few months, they’ll have mastered lifting and moving their head. This is followed by strengthening the back and torso so they can sit up without assistance.
Rolling
Around this time, babies usually begin to try rolling. Whether it’s rolling completely over or just side to side, this is another accomplishment to celebrate. Think of this as a pre-stage to crawling. Once an infant gets some movement, they’ll keep moving, so get ready to build that crawling space.
- A few more signs a baby is getting ready to crawl include:
- Grabbing their feet
- Rocking
- More movement while they’re laying down
- Efforts to push themselves
Scooting
Have you seen a baby scooting? They’ll slide across the floor using their legs and their butt. This is the next stage of crawling. From here a baby may try creeping, pulling themselves with just their arms, or wiggling their way forward. Creeping and crawling go hand in hand. And soon enough, a whole wide world of crawling opens up.
Crawling Styles
When we think of crawling, we often picture a baby on all fours, hand extended and excitedly reaching out. There are actually many types of crawling. Babies may do just one of these or many.
The Commando
Also known as belly crawling, here the baby creeps across the floor. The weight is on the belly and legs while they drag themselves with their arms.
The Classic
This crawling style is that typical picture. The baby pushes themselves up onto their hands and knees. They move forward alternating opposite hands and knees.
The Crab
This one seems like a crawl in reverse. The baby uses their arms to push themselves backward instead of forward.
The Bear
The child puts their butt high in the hair and crawls on their hands and feet. Their elbows and knees are straight.
The Tripod
Here, three limbs do the work while one takes a break. Usually, this consists of two hands and one knee.
The Roll
In this crawling style, the baby rolls side to side. Often seen in earlier stages of crawling, babies may do this when they aren’t quite used to moving their body forward.
Activities to Encourage Crawling
While some of these activities may want to wait until the baby is closer to crawling age, parents may want some to start right after birth. Try any of these to encourage crawling or to keep the baby exploring once they have already started crawling.
Tummy time.
Giving a baby time on their bellies helps strengthen the muscles they need for crawling.
Use household objects.
Sit the baby in front of a mirror so they reach out in curiosity. Elevate their hands with a box so they keep developing their arm muscles. Or you can use pillows, playmats, and boxes to create obstacle courses and crawling spaces for the baby to explore.
Bait them with toys.
Setting toys just outside a baby’s reach can encourage them to crawl as they chase a bright and shiny reward. Some toys even move on their own so they can chase after and really get moving.
Crawl with them.
Some babies just need an example. Get down on your hands and knees and show them how it’s done. Or you can support them by holding their bellies or their legs so they get used to the motions.
There are plenty more crawling activities if you’re interested. And don’t forget to set up a safe crawling space!
Crawling Safety Tips
Once a baby becomes more mobile and goes into the wide world, bumps and bruises are inevitable. But you can help the parents take many steps to make their home safer for a little explorer.
Babyproofing
Babyproofing is a key step. Before an infant starts their crawling journey, get on your hands and knees and explore the space yourself. This can help you spot any potential hazards you may have missed like an exposed sharp corner. If the baby usually comes to your house, it can be worthwhile to run this check before every visit.
The Stairs
When babies first start crawling, you may want to use a safety gate to block off the stairs. Eventually, you’ll want to check in with parents to see if their baby is ready to learn that up and down path, but give them some time to get their feet (and hands) under them. Later, help them practice by exposing a few of the steps. And as the baby becomes accustomed to that, open the staircase fully. Follow behind as they crawl up just in case there’s a slip.
The Furniture
Once they have climbing down, you may have to watch out for them getting on or in furniture they shouldn’t. Say a bookshelf or a side table. Redirect the baby to a safer and softer place. Remind them that furniture is not for climbing. You’ll likely have to do that more than once. It’s also a great idea to check with parents if heavy furniture has been anchored. This prevents the furniture from tipping or falling over.
Both Up and Down
Going up also means the baby will have to learn how to come down. Here is where scooting comes back into play. A scooting baby either on their belly or butt keeps them lower to the ground. This will be safer for their climbing adventures.
What If A Baby Isn’t Crawling?
This is a big question many parents ask. Let them know it’s not an immediate concern if their baby isn’t crawling. After all, some babies never crawl. And crawling doesn’t mean they won’t hit other developmental milestones.
However, you can tell them to chat with their pediatrician if you notice a lack of any efforts at movement or developing motor skills. Especially if you’ve seen this over a decent period of time. The pediatrician can check for developmental delays. Doctors are looking for signs of a baby engaging with the surrounding environment, sitting, and using their hands.
At the same time as crawling, babies will be gaining new, exciting skills and cramming more learning into their little brains and bodies. Parents have a lot to watch out for and will certainly appreciate you doing the same. Now that you’re armed with knowledge, you can be a resource and bring joy to a new family. Find them on Sittercity.
