Crawling - Helena,MT

"scooting" is considered crawling for some kids! Had one that just took off walking at 9 months and then went back and "re-did" the crawling thing when she was about 3!

You've probably already gotten a lot of responses, but I wouldn't worry. Especially if she is doing other things okay. Babies just kind of have a mind of their own. Don't let other people worry you. Each one will be different, and they decide what is most important. For example, my 3 yr old girl started saying a ton at a year old and knew all the animal sounds, but my now 20 month old boy, is only barely starting to talk some, and still doesn't know any animal sounds but dog. He also walked at 10 1/2 months, whereas my daughter was only starting to walk at a year. They just develop faster or slower in different areas, depending on what they find important.

Some kids never crawl, so I wouldn't worry. My youngest is 9 1/2 months and has yet to get all the way on her hands and knees by herself. She prefers laying, sitting or standing. She may like some kids who skip crawling and go straight to walking. Also, 10 months of age is the end of the doctor stated range to start crawling, so you still have month left.

Make it a GREAT day!

S.

No worries! My son didn't crawl at all until after he started walking, he laid on his back and scootched. A lot of it had to do with what a chunky baby he was, probably hard to get that belly off the ground! LOL But if she's hitting her milestones and moving around, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Every baby is different and not all babies crawl on all fours. Good luck!

J.

Dear H.,
Two of my seven children didn't crawl, but had other methods of locomotion. I heard all kinds of comments, about how if they don't crawl before they walk, it can lead to learning disabilities, etc. So I was stressed out! One of these didn't walk until 17 months!!! But I needn't have worried at all. These girls, now 7 and 9, are both extremely coordinated, walking, running, dancing with great skill. They can even crawl with superb efficiency :). Neither of them had learning disabilities: both learned to
read before kindergarten and are in their gifted/talented program at school. In fact, my earliest crawler/climber/walker was my child who had the most challenge learning to read. Part of that may have been that she loved to move so much that I think she lacked the patience to sit still long enough to read! She didn't start to really enjoy reading until 4th grade, when she started "catching up" with students in her grade. Now she is going into 6th grade and reads at a high school level. So I think you can give it time and patience, and listen to your heart. If you have a gut feeling that there might be a problem, you should contact your pediatrician. If not, let those muscles learn their job as your child develops the desire to move around independently. It's amazing how our bodies are programmed to learn so many things on our own individual time frame.
Best wishes,
L.

Seriously, don't worry about it. I know it is hard not to worry about it but trust me there is no reason to get alarmed yet. Is your little girl chubby? My doctor told me it takes them longer to move sometimes. My daughter did not crawl until she was 10 months and was walking at 11 months and is now ahead developmentally in a lot of areas. I was concerned as well as I watched other chidren her age start to crawl so I asked my doctor about it at her 9 month check up and he told me that they don't get concerned about it unless a child is not crawling by a year! So relax and believe me it should happen soon and if not the doctors will know how to address it. But more likely than not she will be crawling by a year. Try not to worry about it until then and enjoy the time before she gets into everything.

one of mine was a butt scooter-never traditionally crawled. No big deal-doing fine as an almost teen! The person to ask about it if you are concerned is the pediatrician. If he/she not concerned, then relax and ignore the other know it all's...I know most people mean well but sometimes they have no idea how anxiety provoking what they say or do can be! It gets easier when you have more than one, so take heart if you have another child as there is just no way our minds can focus on two the way they did on one. Hug that peanut for me and enjoy her!

H.,

My son didn't even attempt to crawl until late into his 9th month, and really didn't get good at until 11 motnhs. He is now 12 months two weeks and just took his first steps a few days ago, but he perfers to crawl because he is faster at it (usless there is somthing to hold onto). I asked the doctor and he said he was not worried. I really don't think you have any thing to worry about. :)

H.,

Rest assured, she is days away from crawling if she is rocking back and forth, and only on the tale end of the normal range for crawling. I have a friend of a friend who wasn't yet crawling at 14 months, and even though that would be very worrisome to me, she is doing fine now, and her pediatrician isn't concerned. So your baby girl sounds like she is doing just fine. It is so easy to worry when they're little--I remember that so well. But I really think you can relax and enjoy her, and I am sure she'll be crawling very soon. All my best to you,

S. Wenger
Professional Parent Coach
www.theparentpartner.com

My son didn't start crawling until 11 months, and then quickly progressed to walking. My daughter started crawling at 7 months, but then didn't start walking until 15 months. There is a huge range as to what is "normal." If she is rocking back and forth then she is getting ready to crawl. It sounds like she is doing great- I wouldn't worry.

Best wishes,
J.

totally okay, totall normal! She is super close though, it sounds like. My DD didn't crawl until almost 10 months old... didn't even army crawl until after 9 months, but she was off and running a few days after her 1st birthday. Every kid is different, and even if she never crawls, its okay... as long as she is independantly mobile in some way. =)

Sounds like she's doing ok. She'll probably start crawling soon. And I'm betting she's been doing a lot in verbal skills (sounds, etc) or small motor skills (picking things up, manipulating objects) or something else. Babies tend to focus on one or two sets of skills at a time. Large motor skills is just one of those.

Some children never do crawl before they learn to walk.

My Mom tells me that I never did. She did say that while I was learning to walk that if I fell down, I just sat there (usually crying) until someone put me back on my feet.

My son never crawled before he walked either. He was walking at 10 months without a problem. He just didn't crawl.

Unless there are other indications, I wouldn't worry too much about crawling.

N.

I wouldn't worry. Babies get mobile at their own pace, enjoy the fact that she cant get into anything yet. My daughter didn't crawl at all and just decided to walk. The running joke among our friends and family is that we spend the first part of our kids lives getting them to walk, talk and sleep and then the second half trying to get them to sit down, be quiet and wake up. Your little girl sounds like she is healthy and normal and going at her own pace. Good luck!

It's okay that she's not crawling, because she's making progress in general, and babies don't do the physical accomplishments in a certain order.

I had one daughter who crawled extensively, including stairs, beginning at 4.5 months (not even remotely kidding), but didn't sit voluntarily until 18 months. (She sat in her high chair because she had no choice, but NEVER sat by herself, like on the floor or whatnot, until that age.) She was always moving--never still.

Guess what? My baby never crawled! He did kind of learn how to scoot around, but never crawled. He also started sitting up at 5 months (earlier than any of my other kids).

Do I think he's smart and perfectly normal? Absolutely. But he just wanted to do it his own way. He went from this "scooting" to walking at 14 months.

Now he's walking around like a pro and life's good. He's my fourth baby and a handsome little fellow.

Don't worry! She'll be crawling in no time. And if she doesn't, don't worry either. She may just scoot for a couple of months and go straight to walking. Not a big deal. Sounds like she is doing fine! :o)

My daughter didn't crawl until around 10 months... so no worries. She was just happy to enough to lay around like a blob I guess :) Then one day she was on the move.
She did however walk pretty soon after that. I guess she was saving all her energy up for the big show.

Just relax and if she is at least scooting around on various body parts she is starting to connect all the pieces. Just give her more time.
Remember each child is different and will follow their own path in life... don't let other make you measure her up!
Good luck and enjoy this time while you have it... :)

It is normal. I wouldn't worry yet. Our kids were at least that old before they crawled. They were also late walkers. We had one who never crawled. He does have a bit of trouble in school that seems to come with not crawling. We did a program with him that helped tremendously, though, so even that's not a big worry. Have fun! She'll be taking off soon enough and then you'll miss the days of her still being in the same place you left her when you come out of the bathroom. :)

She sounds just fine! My daughter didn't crawl until ten mos (rolled everywhere) and then was walking at 11 mos. Don't worry about what other people say. If she is happy and strong, don't worry.

It's totally normal! Don't worry. Neither of my girls crawled before 9 months & were up & walking by 13 months. Enjoy the last weeks / month before she's really on the go. Everything changes! :-)

E.

You are freaking over nothing! Every kid hits milestones at different times. Crawling is not a milestone at the doc's office anyway - some kids don't crawl before walking at all. My daughter began crawling at 9 1/2 months and I felt she was where she should be.

Don't listen to people saying she's late. I think people forget where their kids were or are not parents and have no clue. Is your daughter happy and healthy? Then that's all that matters. Be confident in your parenting and don't let others get to you.

Please don't be concerned that she isn't crawling yet. The average child crawls at 9 months some crawl earlier some later. I would only get concerned if she gets closer to a year without crawling.

Don't worry, she's fine and will be fine. My niece is also 9 months and not crawling. Just keep doing what your doing and she'll be running be for you want her too! :)

You have nothing to worry about with your cutie. She will crawl when she is ready to crawl. My oldest NEVER crawled...she rolled everywhere she wanted to go. she went from rolling, to pulling up, to walking. My second crawled at nine months, and walked at 17 months. Every child is different. Mom's like to compare their children to other peoples children, and some like to give comments that make some mom's worry if their child does not do things at the "normal" time. This will only make you worry for nothing. Only worry if your doctor thinks something is wrong! Enjoy your cutie, and stop worrying about what others are saying.

Normal, normal, normal! Don't worry at all!

H., don't worry about it! My son is 11 months old and isn't crawling. He rolls everywhere. He is my 2nd child and I don't get as freaked out about everything, but this was bothering me. I took him to the doctor and he is absolutely fine. Some kids never crawl, they roll or scoot or just pull up and start walking. If you are concerned, take her to the doctor but don't worry about it and also, ignore the comments! Easier said than done, I know.

My little girl is also 9 months and the only thing she does is scoots backwards a little bit. My son (now 3) started doing the army crawl at 9 months, but didn't really crawl until 11 months. I wouldn't worry, just be grateful she can't get into everything yet, ha!

Hi H.,

I know exactly what you are feeling. My son just turned 12 months and on his birthday was the first day he crawled. It really is peoples opinions that cause the anxiety. My pediatrician says not to worry about it. He told me that his son didn't start walking until 18 months. I just started saying to people, "He will crawl when he is ready. I am not in a hurry to rush him along. I've asked my doc about it and he says everything is fine." Try not to let other (not professional) opinions get to you.

Good luck with everything,
K.

Yep, she's fine. You will find that over and over parents are made to feel like their child is in a race, or being judged (Your baby is in the 50th percentile for height/weight/head circumfrence!!). They are kids. Not merit badges.

Einstein was slow to walk and talk, and still managed to be a productive member of society. ;D Statistics are statistics - not a report card. If she's happy, then take all your stress and worry, roll it up in a ball, and visit it again after her 1st birthday. She's fine!

H.,

Not to worry. My son is 11 months & has just started scooting around on the floor this week. He loves to "walk" with help, but refuses to crawl. His doctor says it's totally normal & not to worry til about 15 months.

Angi

Totally normal! One of mine crawled at 11 months and another at 13 months. The doctor's don't really become concerned until around 12 months, but even my 13 month crawler ended up catching up with all the other kids her age and being very physcally coordinated.

She'll be there soon!

H.

my brother didn't crawl. he scooted on his bottom and then began walking around 9 months.

It sounds to me like she is starting and will soon be crawling all over the place. If you want you can encourage her some by placing a favorite toy just out of reach so she has to go get it. But there really isn't a reason to worry right now. My DD was 15 months (almost 16) before she started walking. Just be patient and encourage her and she will get it.
J.--SAHM of 6

It is completely normal - and I would add that you are very lucky! I always felt like the crawling and beginning walking stage were so hard because they were mobile & could get into everything. With every kid (after my first) I prayed for a late walker/crawler because I knew what was coming. No such luck for me...except with my youngest. He still crawled way too early, but at least he didn't walk until he was almost 18 months. I'm just saying to relax - and more than that - enjoy the benefits of your situation - because they really do exist. And if you can ease your worries, you're more likely to enjoy them!

I have a masters degree in child development. I want to tell you it is completely normal. If you search through the literature and/or books, you will actually discover there is no time frame for crawling. Anyone who says that a child not crawling will not progress in reading or school, hasn't seen the literature. The reason crawling isn't seen as a major milestone, is that some babies never crawl. The worry parents have is that if a baby doesn't crawl it shows damage to their brain. The one development you will need to worry about is walking. Think about it with walking, a child learns the same motions in walking as in crawling. Try walking, by moving your arms insinc with the same leg, right arm with right leg etc. Its hard, you have to think about what you are doing. If your child isn't walking by 18 months then you have cause to worry. Again you are your child's mother, if you are worried about anything about your child's development seek out professionals in your area. In my area they have "Peep", which is a program to assess a child's development under 3 years old free of charge. It is connected with United Way. Or you can ask your doctor. If your doctor says everything is fine, trust your doctor and not friends, family or strangers who are worrying over a child who is not their own. Good luck.

When my DD was 9 mo old, she was sitting up so nicely on a blanket and I could put toys all around her and she'd play with them and not go anywhere...and I didn't enjoy it because I was worried about her not crawling. This perfect time only lasted about a month. Then she was in to everything! I was so looking forward to this time when my DS came along. However, he went through it in about 3 days at 7 mo and I didn't get that second chance to enjoy it. My niece didn't crawl till 13 mo and didn't walk until 2 yrs., not because she couldn't but because "why" when everyone would carry her everywhere when she just smiled at them sweetly. All of these kids are now 13-16 yrs old and they are all just fine. So...kids are all different. Enjoy yours are whatever stage they are at, no matter what everyone else says. A relaxed mommy is so much better for them than a worried mommy. If there is still no crawling by 20 mo, then I'd probably talk to my pediatrician, but you've got a long way to go before then.

I have a son who is now 22 years old who didn't crawl until he was 1 year old and didn't walk until he was 19 months old. Don't let other people bug you!

my son is 9 months old and doesn't crawl yet but has very similar capacity of your little girl. my best friends daughter did not crawl until 9 or 10 months. i think it is very normal, and most people tell me their child starting crawling around 9 or 10 months, some even later! so don't worry, it will happen when she is ready!

Relax. I know many babies that did not crawl until around 12 months. Some babies are content not to move, and other babies have to actually build more muscle in their arms and legs to support a larger baby.

From my experience, I wouldn't worry about it. My son, who is 22 mo now, didn't walk until about 21 mo. He is perfectly happy, healthy, and he is progressing rapidly now. As long as she is still developing in other ways, the crawling will come when she is ready.

In my opinion I wouldn't worry about it. I am a teacher too and think we (teachers) are a little too aware of milestones and such. The little ones just don't all follow the books age timeline for all milestones. If she is seeming strong and don't other things, I think the crawling will come. My oldest (now 6) crawled late starting at about 9 month and walked like three weeks later. I know they say it is important to go through the crawling phase but he pretty much went straight to walking and is fine in all aspects. My younger son crawled early but didn't sit up until past the time "they" said he should. I understand the worry and even had him go through an evaluation with a pediatrition. They said he was late but otherwise fine. Now he is fine and you wouldn't know that was delayed in sitting. If you are very worried I would make an appointment with your pediatrician just to make yourself feel better and less worried (that is important too). Soon enough your little one will be crawling/walking/running and you will be up and after them all the time.

The fact that she is on all fours rocking back and forth is a good sign that she may be getting ready to crawl. Both of my kids did this before they figured out how to get the hands and knees working together. There are also kids out there who never crawl, but go straight to walking. Your daughter may be one of them. I wouldn't worry.

My oldest never crawled. She would sit on her bum and pull herself along on her bum. I had some very rude people tell me that my daughter would be dumb (yes, used that word with me) and be terrible at math. Her brother crawled and she thought it was fun so did crawl them (after walking for 2 years). She is getting ready to start kindergarten and is way above the charts in all areas. Don't worry-baby picks up on the stress. Just give her opportunities to crawl/move around and relax. Talk to your doctor at your next appointment to rule out anything really wrong (but anything like that would likely have been caught already). Enjoy this time-once she is mobile, the whole world changes!

Just like your mom and mom-in-law said...don't worry about it =)

I know its hard to do when other people act surprised because she isn't "crawling" but no 2 kids are the same. My oldest didn't want to crawl and went straight to walking, we had to make her crawl...my 2nd daughter scooted on her tummy by pushing with her big right toe for months and I don't remember her acutally getting up on her knees to crawl. My youngest (10 months) is scooting on his tummy too. I've started to sit on the floor with his and putting him on his knees and then moving them when he starts moving his arms to lay on his tummy...that way instead of flattening out to scoot, it keeps him on all 4s. And now he is starting to go a little ways on his knees on his own...but the ONLY reason I did this was to try and keep his shirts from getting ruined lol =)

She might now crawl on her hands and knees...and thats ok ;) If she doesn't make some advancments before her 1st bday (walking, standing, finally crawls in knees) then maybe I would talk to her DR during her 1 year appointment. but until then, don't worry!

If you want I can email you lists of development charts on milestones...
On average they start to crawl at 9 months-12 months ever baby is different
My DD crawled and pulled up at 4.5 months- my sister's DD was 3 weeks old waited until a year.....

totally fine! totally normal! she's on her way. my first didn't crawl until 10.5 months and then walked 6 weeks later. don't wish this time away!

Quick note on this one. My son stays at home with me, and refused to crawl for some time. Once I enrolled him in some baby classes (Gymboree) and he was around other crawling babies, he figured it out in about a week.

Our daughter was probably around 9 or 10 mos old before she started crawling. And then she would go backwards, not forward, and always get stuck in the corner or under the couch or something. It was kind of funny. By the time she figured out how to go forward, she started to walk almost immediately after that - guess crawling wasn't all it was cracked up to be! lol Even with being a "later" crawler than some, she was still walking by her first birthday, so I wouldn't worry. Babies all go in their own time. It can be hard not to compare to other babies or to deal with the looks if someone else's kid did something earlier than yours, but try to let it roll off your back. If it were something to be concerned about, your doc would tell you. With us, it seemed like everyone else's kids had teeth before our daughter. She didn't get a tooth in her mouth until she was almost a year. And I had all those "helpful" people with the looks and the "gee, MY so and so had teeth by the time he/she was four months old.." But I just let it go in one ear and out the other and it didn't take her long to catch up once she started getting teeth! Have a great day - she will be crawling and walking before you know it! :)

Listen to your mom and MIL, and your heart. Not to everyone else. A lot of people compare babies (and seem to be experts, but you are your baby's expert).
She's scootching. She's on the move. Some babies go from rolling straight to standing up and cruising. Others just take their time. Remember this, some babies don't even walk until about 15 months.I really don't think there's anything to worry about.
I'm on my second, and I compare her to her brother and to a friend's baby who is 3 weeks younger, even though I know I shouldn't. She's completely different from her brother in everything (Her brother was early on all his milestones as a baby). She's started late on several milestones, but she's gotten there. If you're that worried, you could also call your pediatrician.

Enjoy your baby as she is. Once she's really on the go, you'll find out you just might miss those days she wasn't so mobile. :)

Some kids actually never crawl. They just skip straight to walking. So try not to worry to much. Actually, you should be counting your blessings -- more time to install all those child locks and gates!

She is totally fine!!! Many of mine were close to 1 before crawling. And well over 1 before walking (one was 17 months). Especially if she scoots. That may be all she does, then go strait to walking. Every baby is totally different.

She is showing all the signs of crawling. It is just no there. If she is a big baby it will make a difference. It may be the fact that she will be crawling on month and walking the next. I was in a car accident when I was younger and I had to learn to do everything all over. It is not easy to get things working together and some days I don't feel like things work right still. She's almost there just give her a few more days.

H....dont worry about it at all. All kids do things in their own time. My son didn't crawl until he was almost a year and didn't walk till he was about 18 months. It is frusterating to hear other shock for how "slow" your child is, but believe me, they do it when they are ready. My son is doing all the same things that everyone else is doing at his age now and in fact is miles ahead in the speach part of things. So help your little one try, but dont worry...she will get it when she is ready to.

Do NOT be worried! She sounds strong and healthy! I have known some babies who never really crawled - they went straight to walking! Enjoy the immobility for a while longer - once they are on the move they never stop! :) She will crawl when she is ready! Don't let other people's surprise upset you - people can be so obtuse! Every baby has their own schedule. If she gets up on all 4s. rocks and scootches - she is fine and perfectly normal! Hope that helps!