Q&A for How to Teach a Baby to Crawl

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When do babies start walking without help?

Jessie Davidson
Child Care Specialist
Jessie Davidson is a Child Care Specialist and the CEO and Founder of BabysitPro, which provides online courses for current and aspiring babysitters. Jessie has over 20 years of childcare experience and specializes in best practices for sitters of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and grade-schoolers. BabysitPro’s courses are unique and age-specific so babysitters can learn detailed information relevant to the children they babysit. Jessie holds a BA in French Studies from Wheaton College and an MA in Visual Anthropology from The University of Southern California.

Jessie Davidson

Child Care Specialist

Expert Answer

It is common for babies to start walking unassisted at around 12 months old. However, this milestone can happen anytime between around 9 and 17 months. The baby will show many signs that they are strong enough to walk by themselves, like pulling themselves up on furniture, squatting down to pick up a toy and stand up again, or walking about with their hands on furniture as a support. If they can pull themselves up with ease to stand and like to scoot around the furniture, it's possible they may be ready to walk without your support.

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Is it all right that my four month old baby is not rolling yet?

Community Answer

It is completely normal, as many babies are not yet rolling by four months old. Provide your baby with tummy time for opportunities to learn, and consult your doctor if you are still worried.

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Is it okay to let my baby play and then put them back on their tummy after a few hours?

Community Answer

Yes, it is okay. Make sure the baby is in a good mood before doing so. If your baby has eaten, wait for 25-30 minutes before placing on it on it's tummy.

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Is it okay if my 7 month old is not sitting?

Community Answer

Yes. Every baby has different learning speeds. You may want to do more excercises like tummy time to help build up muscles to help him progress. As always, take any concerns you have to your pediatrician.

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Can my baby crawl on hard floor tiles without carpet?

Community Answer

I wouldn't recommend it only because the tiles could be cold or painful on your baby's knees.

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My daughter never liked tummy time, not even as a newborn. Will that affect her being able to crawl?

Community Answer

No, it will not affect her ability to crawl. It will just take her a little longer to do so. Some babies may skip crawling altogether and start to walk. But if tummy time is a really big concern, voice your concerns to your daughter's pediatrician.

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Question

My baby cousin doesn't do the tummy time thing, so how else can I build up her stomach muscles?

Beau Gavigan

Community Answer

You can always place her on her stomach and tickle a little bit to encourage some tummy time, or even place her on her stomach and rub her back or pat her butt. Some babies do things differently than others, and some are just plain stubborn. Also, try placing her on her tummy and if she rolls on to her back, roll her back over a few times. If she just won't stay or gets fussy, let it go and try it again later. Eventually, it'll work. Be sure she's on a relatively soft surface, too. Sometimes being uncomfortable can play a role.

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Is it bad if my son is not crawling by 9 months old?

Community Answer

Each child has different growth and learning rates. Crawling can start between 6 to 10 months of age, so your son still has some time. If he is not crawling by 10 to 11 months, you might want to consult your doctor.

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Isn't it okay that my 3-year-old still doesn't have full control of her head?

Community Answer

That's really something you need to discuss with your pediatrician. Take your child in for a check-up.

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How can I help my son with tummy time if he does not like it and has not previously done a lot of it?

Community Answer

Take it one step/day at a time. He needs to get used to being on his tummy. Try for a minute or two each day and progress until he's able to stay on his tummy without being fussy.

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Is it bad if my son is not crawling by one year?

Community Answer

It may not be "bad" -- babies learn at their own rate. Definitely talk to your pediatrician about your concerns, though.

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What do I do if my baby won't crawl or walk after a year?

Community Answer

Talk to your pediatrician as they will know the best course of action for you to take.

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Is it dangerous if a baby hasn't begun crawling by a year and two months?

Community Answer

It's not dangerous, but it indicates your baby has something going on developmentally. Talk to your doctor about it.

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My baby hates tummy time and gets upset after a minute but can push herself up. Is that a sign she won’t crawl?

Community Answer

It could be, or it just means she'll take longer before she starts to crawl. You can talk to your daughter's doctor about this to reassure yourself; they can do a test against developmental milestones but these have wide parameters, so don't be worried, as some babies are just slower while other babies skip crawling altogether.

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Is it okay to teach my baby to crawl from a sitting position if she doesn't like tummy time?

Ray

Community Answer

Babies often "discover" crawling from learning to sit: One day she might lean over from sitting and discover she can prop up her body on her hands and arms. If your daughter doesn't like tummy time and you'd still like for her to do so, you can encourage her by lying down with her and tickling her to make her try to 'crawl' away.

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Is it normal that my eight month old baby is not crawling?

Ray

Community Answer

Most babies start to crawl between 6 and 12 months. But there is a wide range of what's “normal” when it comes to reaching developmental milestones—just because your daughter hasn't crawled by 8 months doesn't mean that there is something wrong with her. Speak with your doctor if you have any concerns.

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Question

My baby does lots of crawling on the bed but does not do the same when placed on the floor. How do I fix that?

Iris Rose

Community Answer

If you have a hard floor, then you can try setting out a blanket for them to crawl on. It may sound funny, but you can entice them to crawl by sitting a few feet away and showing them a toy or snack that they like and having them crawl to you to get it. Encourage more 'tummy time' and give some freedom to see if they will follow you around. Encourage them to reach upwards and outwards towards toys. You can also help by letting them push their feet against your hands to push themselves forwards. They also make knee and elbow pads for infants to help while crawling on hard floors.

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