I remember scrolling through social media—everyone’s baby seemed to be crawling at 6 months, climbing furniture at 7, and apparently applying to college at 8.
Meanwhile, my little guy was… happily rolling in slow circles and face-planting anytime he tried to get his knees under him.
I googled “baby crawling delay,” panicked, convinced I’d failed tummy time, ruined his development, and bought the wrong play mat.
If you’re here wondering about baby crawling—when it should happen, what’s normal, how to encourage it (and when to stop worrying)—I’ve been right there with you. Deep breath, mama. 💛
Here’s what most of us were never clearly told :
- Babies typically start crawling somewhere between 7–12 months.
- Some babies crawl “late.”
- Some babies never crawl at all—and go straight to standing, cruising, or walking.
- Crawling is helpful, but not a pass/fail test of good parenting.
In this guide, we’ll break down :
- when babies usually start crawling (with lots of normal variation),
- different crawling styles (yes, the weird ones are usually fine),
- why crawling is awesome for development,
- simple ways to encourage it through play,
- when to call your pediatrician (without spiraling),
- and how to enjoy this wiggly stage instead of stressing through it.
Let’s make this feel doable, not diagnostic.
In this article : [+]
1. When Do Babies Start Crawling? (And What If Yours Doesn’t?)
Most babies begin some form of crawling between 7 and 12 months, but the range is wide.
You might see :
- rocking on hands and knees,
- scooting backward first (totally normal),
- experimenting for weeks before true forward crawl.
Important note (that calms a lot of moms) :
The CDC actually removed crawling from its official milestone checklist because not all babies crawl on a predictable timeline—and some skip it entirely while still developing normally.
So if your baby :
- is rolling,
- sitting with support or independently,
- trying to pivot,
- bearing weight on legs,
- showing curiosity and movement in some way…
that’s a really good sign things are on track, even if “classic crawling” isn’t there yet.
Mom note :
My son bum-shuffled like a determined little crab before he ever attempted a proper crawl. Spoiler: he walks, climbs, and outruns me now.
2. Different Crawling Styles (Your Baby’s Weird Crawl Is Probably Perfect)
There is no single “correct” way to start moving.
Common baby crawling styles :
- Classic crawl
Hands and knees, opposite hand and knee moving together. The one in all the books. - Commando / army crawl
On the belly, pulling forward with arms. Often the first “I’m coming for that remote” move. - Bear crawl
Hips high in the air, on hands and feet. Looks hilarious. Totally fine. - Crab crawl
Sideways or backward. Another normal variation. - Bottom scooting / bum shuffling
Sitting and using hands/feet to scoot. Quirky but common.
Usually :
- If baby is using both sides of the body, gaining strength, and progressing in mobility, these variations are okay.
Red flag to watch :
- consistently using only one side (dragging one arm/leg), or
- not attempting movement at all by around 12 months.
We’ll come back to when to call the pediatrician.
3. Why Baby Crawling Is Helpful (Even If It’s Not “Required”)
Even though some babies skip crawling, it still offers great benefits:
- Strength & stability
- Builds core, shoulder, hip, and arm strength.
- Preps the body for pulling up, cruising, and walking.
- Coordination & brain development
- Opposite arm/leg movement helps both sides of the brain communicate.
- Supports balance, motor planning, hand-eye coordination.
- Sensory learning
- Feeling different surfaces on hands and knees helps body awareness.
- Problem-solving
- Baby learns: “If I move this way, I can reach that toy / cat / sibling’s snack.”
- Builds confidence and curiosity.
So we don’t panic if crawling looks “different”—but we do want to give our babies chances to move freely and explore.
4. Tummy Time : The Quiet Hero Behind Baby Crawling
If crawling is the show, tummy time is the rehearsal.
Supervised tummy time :
- strengthens neck, shoulders, arms, and back,
- helps prevent flat spots on the head,
- sets the stage for rolling, sitting, and crawling.
Guidance from pediatric sources :
- Start from birth with a few minutes at a time while baby is awake and watched.
- Slowly work up to around 15–30+ minutes total per day by about 2–3 months (spread out in short sessions).
Easy tummy time ideas :
- Tummy-to-tummy on your chest.
- Across your lap.
- On a playmat with a mirror or high-contrast toys.
- Short, frequent sessions (even 1–2 minutes count!).
Mom note :
If your baby screams during tummy time, you are not alone. Keep it short, interactive, and try different positions—you’re not failing.
5. 6 Simple Ways to Encourage Baby Crawling Through Play
No bootcamp. No pressure. Just playful invitations.
1. Make Floor Time a Daily Habit
Get baby out of swings, bouncers, and seats regularly.
- Spread a firm, soft mat or blanket.
- Let them roll, pivot, push up, and explore.
Why it works :
Freedom to move builds the muscles and curiosity needed for crawling.
2. Use Toys as Motivation (Yes, Absolutely Bribe Them with Fun)
Place :
- a favorite toy,
- your face,
- a sibling,
- or (let’s be honest) your phone or remote
just slightly out of reach.
Cheer them on as they :
- reach,
- scoot,
- rock,
- belly slide.
Why it works :
Movement has a purpose—reaching something they want.
Mom note :
The fastest my baby ever learned to move was when he spotted my snack.
3. Get Down and Crawl with Them
Babies love to copy you.
- Get on your hands and knees.
- Crawl slowly away, laugh, make it a game.
- Add a tunnel, pillows, or “obstacles” when they’re ready.
Why it works :
You’re modeling the pattern and making it fun, not stressful.
4. Strengthen Through Play (Without Feeling Like a Trainer)
Try :
- Gently helping baby shift weight from side to side in tummy time.
- Rolling games (you roll, they roll).
- Supported “all fours” :
- Put a rolled towel under their chest as they push up.
Why it works :
Builds the muscles and balance they need for that first coordinated crawl.
5. Limit “Containers”
Things like :
- bouncers,
- jumpers,
- walkers,
- car seats (outside the car),
are helpful in small doses but can delay movement if baby spends too much time in them.
Aim for :
- more time on the floor than in gear (when you realistically can).
Why it works :
Babies learn to move by… moving freely.
6. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfect Crawl Form
Cheer for :
- rolling,
- pivoting in a circle,
- rocking on hands and knees,
- backward scooting.
Why it works :
These are all stepping stones. Encouragement builds confidence—for both of you.
6. When to Check In With Your Pediatrician (No Shame, Just Support)
Most babies find their own way. But it’s always okay to ask if you’re worried.
Reach out to your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist if:
- By around 12 months, your baby :
- isn’t rolling, scooting, crawling, or pulling to stand,
- shows little interest in moving toward toys or people.
- Baby consistently uses only one side of their body:
- one arm, one leg dragging,
- always leaning or twisting one way.
- You notice very stiff or very floppy muscles.
- You’re concerned about multiple areas:
- movement plus speech, social interaction, or eye contact.
Experts emphasize that skipping crawling alone isn’t automatically a problem—but lack of overall movement or asymmetry can be a reason to check.
You’re not “overreacting” for asking. You’re advocating.
7. Expert Insight (In Easy, Mom-Language)
Here’s the science backbone behind this guide :
- Many babies start some crawling behavior around 7–10 months, but up to 12 months can be normal.
- The CDC removed crawling from milestone checklists because it’s highly variable and not a universal requirement for typical development.
- Tummy time and floor play are strongly recommended by pediatric groups and campaigns like “Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play” to build strength for rolling, sitting, and movement.
Quick blog disclaimer :
This post is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always talk with your pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby’s development.
8. You’re Doing Better Than You Think, Mama 💛
If your baby isn’t crawling “on time,” or if their crawl looks more like a creative dance move—please hear this :
You did not cause this by :
- missing one tummy time session,
- using a baby swing,
- working, being tired, or not doing Pinterest-level activities.
You :
- showed up,
- gave cuddles,
- put them on the floor,
- followed their lead.
That’s good parenting.
Development is not a race. It’s a series of tiny experiments your baby runs with their body and their world. Your job is to offer safe space, loving encouragement, and to ask for help when your gut nudges you.
Celebrate :
- the first time they push backward,
- the determined rocking on hands and knees,
- the proud face when they finally reach that toy.
Those moments matter way more than what any chart says.
You and your little explorer are right where you need to be: learning together. 🌱
9. Let’s Cheer Each Other On
If this baby crawling guide helped quiet some of the worry:
- Share your baby’s funniest crawl (army scoot, crab walk, bum shuffle?) in the comments—your story will reassure another mom.
- Drop any questions or worries you still have; if you’re thinking it at 11 p.m., another mama is too.
- Know a friend stressing over milestones? Send her this guide with a, “You’re doing amazing, promise.”
- Want more gentle, research-backed, real-mom guides on milestones, sleep, feeding, and postpartum life? Join my email list so we can walk (and crawl 😉) through each stage together. 💌