Is crawling a developmental milestone?

Erin - posted on 10/14/2009

Angela is right. Crawling is no longer considered a milestone. It's because there are SO many babies that skip right over it. Mine didn't crawl until his 9mo birthday. Until then he ROLLED where he wanted to go. I was a little worried too. It's very hard not to compare your baby to others, but don't. Unless you FEEL like there is something wrong, don't worry! Yes, crawling is supposed to help make connections between the left and right side of the brain because of the criss-cross of limbs, but it will happen anyway. Your in-laws need to back off I think. You have enough stress and learning without them adding to it! There is a book that is like my bible. It's called Baby 411. There is also a Toddler 411 that I will get soon. It is well worth the money. If nothing else, go to Barnes & Noble and have a cup of coffee and read though it. It's divided up into sections so everthing is easy to find. It'll help you defend yourself and has great info!

Virginia - posted on 10/14/2009

hey!

As an Early childhood Educator I can tell you that your baby does not have ANY kind of problem with his developmental milestone of crawling...every baby is different some crawl on all fours, others scoot and others slide on their bellies around the floor. this does not have anything to do with how he/she will be able to walk later on.... some babies dont even crawl and go straight to standing up and walking !!!!!

Do not be concerned and i advise that you tell your inlaws not to worry you like that and to do their homework before giving advice like that to other parents.!

your baby is perfectly normal. when he is ready he will pull himself up to stand and start walking around holding onto furniture. or he may start to crawl on all fours and then start standing.

hope this helps

Abbey - posted on 10/11/2009

Don't worry about it. It used to be more common because babies slept on their tummy and didn't fight tummy time like they do now. So when they get used to it, some will skip crawling. My son just took off crawling tummy off the floor a few weeks ago. Unless your in-laws have taken recent courses in childhood development I would take their opinion as just that....opinion based on when their kids were born, I am guessing approximately 20+ years ago. Unfortunately, in about 20+ years we may have to bite our tongue because some pediatric rule will change that changes development in tiny ways again.

Marguerite - posted on 10/11/2009

Don't worry some babies never crawl in traditional way and that's fine. I never crawled and I turned out just fine with no learning disabilities. My brother and sister were the same way. I really don't believe not crawling in the traditional way has anything do with how our left and right brain works together. Please try not to worry about this.

Amy - posted on 10/07/2009

You so don't need to worry. My son did the same thing!! He would pull with his arms, on his belly, push off with his right foot and drag the left leg. I thought it was cute! he didn't really start actually crawling til he started pulling himself up onto things to stand up. So i guess he's been crawling for about a month. (he'll be one nov. 9th). My mother said i used to roll instead of crawl. It has nothing to do with his brain, or having developmental issues, its just his way of getting around! Even when my son did start crawling, if he wanted to get somewhere "quicker" he would drop to his belly and do the army crawl again. It was easier for him at the time i guess.

Anyway, everyone will give you advice and tell you what you should be doing or concerned about, but take it with a grain of salt. My grandmother is one of those who will over analize and kinda freak you out, but don't freak, he'll do it all in his own time.

Kerri-Ann - posted on 10/07/2009

My daughter does the SAME thing! I call it inch-worming because she uses her elbows and hands to drag herself forward and her knees to push off again. It's hilarious to watch and I'm not concerned about her not crawling on all fours at all. At this point I don't think she ever will. She'll probably go strait to walking because to her, she gets around perfectly the way she's doing it now, so there is no need to try anything else.

Kylie - posted on 10/03/2009

I've read things about crawling that suggest some of the stuff that you do, but I also know of babies who never really crawled who are perfectly fine today. I didn't know there was any dispute about it at all until I googled the subject out of curiosity one night. I know of a little boy who never even army crawled, but decided that scooting on his butt while sitting to get around was good for him. He's now a very bright and active five-year old boy. My nephew never really crawled either. He army crawled and decided that standing up and eventually walking were better for him. He's now seven and he is also a very bright and intelligent child.



My son army crawled for a bit, then decided to pull himself up to standing and he's slowly starting to cruise furniture now. Only after he started to pull himself up to standing did he decide to crawl on his hands and knees.



Honestly, only YOU and your doctor know if there's something wrong developmentally, but just know there are plenty of babies who skip crawling entirely and are perfectly fine. If he's doing well in other areas and he just thinks that army crawling (which is technically crawling and using the right/left motor stuff that you mention) is the way to go until he walks, then he's perfectly fine.

Angela - posted on 10/02/2009

Crawling is not a developmental milestone. As others have stated, some children go straight from sitting to walking. My son is 10 1/2 months old and only does the "Army Crawl". He doesn't seem particularly interested in crawling and is very content to just sit and play. Sometimes I worry when I see other babies his age moving around so much better, but then I remember that all babies are different and do things in their own time.

Margaret - posted on 10/02/2009

My little boy barely crawled and hated every minute of it. He is walking like crazy at 10.5 months. His cousin army crawled for a long time before he finally decided to do regular crawl and is just now starting to take steps unassisted. He is 2 weeks older than my son. Each child is different and everyone has an opinion. Give your child time he may still crawl on all fours. I have family members that never crawled and they are normal adults.

Celena - posted on 10/01/2009

My daughter just started to crawl yesterday... and it is the army crawl. My other 2 were normal crawlers, and started around 7mths... She just decided she liked rolling better... it the last year alot of babies where born in our family.. 7 to be exact... and every single one crawls different... its very funny. Inlaws can really scare ya... just remember... Mom always knows best! Go with your gut! You know your child best!! :)

Kari - posted on 10/01/2009

scooting is a perfectly normal way for babies to get around..there are other ways that ur child will learn to coordinate the use of the right and left side of the brain. that may just be the way he crawls..my daughter crawls wilth one foot stepping across the floor.

Amber - posted on 10/01/2009

My son will be 11 months old in a couple of days and is still not crawling, he wants to hold hands and walk everywhere. I asked his doctor and she said that more and more kids are skipping crawling.

Meg - posted on 09/30/2009

My daughter army crawls also. She does not hardly use her legs at all though. She will get on her hands and knees but when it is time to move she goes back to her belly. I have heard the same concerns you have heard though. I spoke to our pediatrician about it and he did not seem too concerned about it. He is an amazing doctor and I fully trust his opinion. I hope this helps!! I agree with the others, go with your gut!!

Danielle - posted on 09/30/2009

FYI. If you are at all worried about the dragging leg, one of my boys did that too and he crawls like a champ now. My doctor called it his signature move. I would agree that you should ask your doctor any questions that concern you, and push harder if your gut is telling you to be concerned. But a lot of babies never crawl at all. The very new research that suggests a link between reading skills and crawling correctly before walking is very immature and has not been well enough tested yet to cause concern.

Jessica - posted on 09/30/2009

My son is the same way, he scoots on his stomach, and eventually crawls around. He is more interested in standing, and trying to move that way! It is so perfectly normal! If he is moving, he is right where he should be! As long as he is mobile and gets himself around. He may never want to crawl on all fours at all... just don't worry, it is perfectly normal!

Cherity - posted on 09/29/2009

I have worked with children with developmental disabilities. Crawling late is probably nothing to be concerned about. What you need to look for is if they are talking and able to make eye contact. You can put off shots for a few months if you are concerned about the connection between shots and Autism. By 18 months is when developmental delays really show up. I didn't walk until I was 17 months and I developed just fine! My daughter is slightly ahead of the curve. She is up and ready to start walking anytime, but I know of other peoples children who are not to that stage yet.

Kelly - posted on 09/29/2009

http://www.dbpeds.org/milestones.html...... usually look at this web site just for referance....but i would say that he is doing fine.

Christine - posted on 09/28/2009

My only concern would like in if your ped is too laxed... I mean, I agree with the other mom's that you shouldn't worry too much but if your belly is telling you something isn't right then you should check it out. Your inlaws are correct that crawling is a milestone but every baby develops in their own time. I try to always go on my instinct rather than what a book tells me is correct.

LyRanda - posted on 09/28/2009

I wouldn't worry at all like the last mom replied all babies are different and some do skip right over the crawling and go right to walking. I wouldn't worry unless your pediatrition is concerned. I hope this helps ease your worried mind.

Tiphanie - posted on 09/28/2009

Hi my Son is the same age as yours and isn't crawling yet. I am not worried as all babies are different. Some babies skip crawling and just start walking.My niece didn't crawl nor did my Sister. Your baby sounds like he is doing just fine. My Son is very laid back, he is alert and babbles away. The trouble with us is that we all read too many text books. Enjoy the calm before the storm, then we will have our work cut out for us :)