My 11 month old has been making all the right movements....up on his arms and getting his knees tucked under him. Just today he started doing this weird "military crawl" forward where he uses one arm and drags himself across the floor to where he wants to go. I can't help but laugh at him - but am wondering is this a normal progression into crawling???? I can't imagine his way is very easy to do - but for him it serves the purpose right now.
L.--that is ABSOLUTELY normal!! My son did the army crawl for about a month before he crawled for real. Now I can't slow him down! He started at 6mo(he's 9mo now), but all Pediatric books have 12mo as the age for crawling! He should be sitting up by himself, but crawling will just be when his body is ready!:) Good luck!!
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M.H.
answers from
Norfolk
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One of my sons did this as well! It is often referred to as the Army crawl. He is now a really fast crawler and is almost walking. I think this is an unconventional but normal progression.
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N.B.
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Washington DC
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It took my little guy about 1 1/2 months since he started getting up on his knees before he could truly crawl. He would get up on his hands and feet. He would get up on his hands and knees and scoot himself forward. He did all kinds of strange things before he finally coordinated the arms and legs. But hey, whatever works, right?
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A.S.
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Washington DC
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Hi L.!
My daughter had a strange crawl as well. She used to advance with one knee and then drag the other leg to sit on her bottom. It was a crawl scoot sort of movement that she did until we moved to a place with carpet. Even after she began to walk she used this strange crawl. She now crawls in the "normal" way, but it didn't start that way. I asked my pediatrician at the time and she said that every child is different and not to be concerned because it is definitely serving its purpose.
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T.M.
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Roanoke
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My son who is now 4 did the same "military crawl", also so did the little girl that I used to babysit. Both did this crawl exclusively before they went on to pulling up and walking. You'd be suprised how fast that military crawler can go! It's totally normal. Your little one may go on to "regular" crawl on all fours or just stay with the military crawl before moving on to the next milestone. Don't worry at all.
A little about me:
I am a 32 year old mother of 2. 16 and 4. Also, I have run a daycare from my home for the last 3 years.
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K.P.
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Washington DC
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I'm sure he'll figure it out in the next month or so! If for some reason, though, he continues to crawl using his elbows, you may want to talk to the pediatrician. Crawling on hands is a useful step in building gross motor skills and strength in the hands and wrist.
I have a friend whose son always did the army crawl, and at 6 now has to go to OT and PT because he doesn't have great muscle tone. He does have other (behavioral) issues, as well, but the OT said the crawling was the first sign.
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D.B.
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Washington DC
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My 18 month old son did the "army crawl" for about 3 months or so. I thought it was too funny as well. I believe that it is a normal thing that they do. Don't worry though it will not last that long. He will start crawling soon. Although once your son starts crawling on his knees he will be on the go. Just try to put him on his hands and knees, try to slow walk him through the crawling and see how he reacts.
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A.F.
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Norfolk
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Hi L.. My son who is now 10mo. did that too. He so bad wanted to get around like his almost 2 year old brother (who walks, of course). So thats how he did it for the longest time. We figured he would do it till he was one, but he didn't. One day out of the blue he just took off. He is now trying to walk, to keep up with his brother. I wouldn't worry. One day he will get up and go. Then you'll have to watch out, he'll get into everything. hehehe. Mine does anyway. I hope this helps you out. Congrats on your bundle of joy and be ready to chase after him.
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D.D.
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Washington DC
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Totally normal. My son wentt backwards first. His friend did the military crawl for a month before he started crawling. Just laugh and enjoy:-)
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J.D.
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Washington DC
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L.,
I have a 3 3/4 year old, 16 month and 4 month. My first two both did the military crawl. My second when straight from the military crawl to walking with the exception of a traditional crawl for less than a month. No worries, when he's ready to move he will and you won't be able to keep up with him.
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S.S.
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Washington DC
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Hi L.. Your post made me laugh at the memories of my own daughter, now 3 1/2, doing the exact same thing!! She scooted around on her belly for months and then about 2 weeks before she walked, she "crawled." Some babies never crawl, they just go straight to walking.
As long as he's making all the right movements and isn't frustrated about how he's getting around, I wouldn't worry.
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T.C.
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Norfolk
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Its absolutely very normal. My niece never actually crawled (in what we consider the normal way). She sat on her butt and used one leg to push herself backward. That was her only mode of transport until she walked. She was never interested in getting on her hands and knees, but she never had a problem getting where she wanted to be and she walked by 11 months. Babies are very resourceful and will do whatever it takes to get where they want to go! So, just enjoy the entertainment because before you know it, he'll be running around and getting into everything and you won't be able to keep up!
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S.L.
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Washington DC
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HI L.
my daugther did the same thing when she was 9 months old. after about a month, she starts crawling (normal).
now she is 18 months old.
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A.B.
answers from
El Paso
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My baby's not to that point yet, but my two-year-old cousin did the same thing--a military "low crawl". She actually never made it to "real" crawling and progressed to walking just fine. I don't think it's anything you should worry about. It will be a funny memory to share with your little one when he's older!
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R.A.
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Washington DC
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Congrats on the baby"s first step towards active walk.Dont worry its very normal for babies my son too use to crawl like that before he started standing .Encourage him watever style he likes to move around we also did the same that way he might even start standing soon.my sonis 13 months old ,one more thing,just get ur place baby proof.especially the bathroom area
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A.P.
answers from
Norfolk
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L.,
Crawling is not considered indicative to development. Some kids never crawl and just start walking. Also, there are over 20 different styles of crawling that are considered normal. The military crawl is one of them; my daughter did that, too. She was a bit top-heavy as a baby, so that is why she chose that one. The bottom-scootch is also acceptable.
Don't worry.
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A.W.
answers from
Norfolk
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My son did the same thing, he army crawled for a couple months, then he walked. He didn't start crawling till after the walking, usually because he fell forward and landed in position! At the same time, my friends son doesn't crawl, he butt-scoots everywhere and then pulls himself up to stand. Many babies just don't crawl the traditional way anymore!
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M.J.
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Washington DC
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My eldest did the same thing! He also bent his knee so his foot would stick up in the air..like the flag of a passing ship. so if your vision was blocked by furniture or anything you would just see this foot going by! He crawled just fine eventually. M.
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D.G.
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Washington DC
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Don't sweat it. I have four kids and one of them never even crawled! Two of them didn't walk until they were 15mos or more and they have all done just fine. I've got two gymnasts, one lacrosse player and a singer.
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K.C.
answers from
Richmond
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This is completely normal!! My son did this for a while, my dad even commented that he had never seen a 'low crawl' as good as his in his 20 years of service). Dont worry, this is just the precursor to 'normal' crawling... he will low crawl for a while then test getting up on all fours... then watch out!! He'll be very mobile in no time.
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C.C.
answers from
Norfolk
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My daughter never did crawl, kinda scooted, and she went right to walking at 10 months. So all babies don't have to learn to crawl first.
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T.W.
answers from
York
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This is completely normal. My 12 1/2 month old did this for the longest time. He finally started crawling and has not went back to the military crawl. Some baby's go right from this to walking, or will start crawling soon after they start the military crawl. My first son, who is now 6, never did the military crawl and just started crawling, but my nephew who is also 6 walked before he crawled. I hope that this was helpful.
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T.L.
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Washington DC
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Hi L.,
My son did this for 2 months! Yes, very funny indeed. Now he crawls just fine on all fours and is walking around holding on to the furniture. As "normal" as development can be, I think it's fine! Have fun!
T.
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K.C.
answers from
Washington DC
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Hi L.,
Army crawling is completely normal I swear. My youngest did the same thing and when he first started doing it all I could do was laugh. It took about a month for him to figure out that it was more productive for him to get off his belly and then within a month after that he was walking. Your son is just fine!
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M.S.
answers from
Washington DC
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L.,
That's the only kind of crawling my son ever did -- the army man crawl -- he's a perfectly normal 8 year old now, so don't worry. At least your baby is getting around on his own!
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B.P.
answers from
Jacksonville
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My oldest never crawled at all! she "military low crawled" and started walking at about 11 months. It's normal, every child is different. I was in child care in my younger years and I had a little girl who would only scoot across the floor on her bottom (so darn cute!) she ended up walking before all the crawlers in the group.
Take lots of videos to share with him when he's older and enjoy it the walking won't be far behind
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F.B.
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Charlottesville
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Not only is this totally normal, but some kids never go from it to really crawling. My son started this, got really fast at it and never crawled properly. Then around 9-10 months he took his first steps, apparently decide that was too slow, went back to this and the day after his 1st birthday, ran across my living room, and I mean ran! Don't feel bad though, I laughed at my son a little too. And I asked the pediatrician about it, he said whatever works, as long as they're trying movement and walking isn't delayed. Have fun, he's on the move!!
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J.W.
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Washington DC
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Yes, that is exactly how my daughter started. He should be on his way soon!