When Do Babies Start Crawling? A Guide to Your Baby’s First Moves

 

Crawling is more than just another milestone. It’s the beginning of a whole new way for babies to explore their surroundings, discover new things, and develop the skills they’ll need as they grow.

But when do babies usually start crawling? What actually counts as crawling? And should you be concerned if your little one seems to be taking their time?

The truth is, there’s no single way to crawl. Some babies move on their bellies, others scoot on their bottoms, and some even find their own unusual ways to get from one place to another.

Christin Close, DPT, a board-certified pediatric physical therapist, explains what parents can expect during this exciting stage and how they can help their babies develop the skills needed to get moving.

When Do Babies Start Crawling?

Most babies begin crawling somewhere between 7 and 10 months of age. However, every child develops at their own pace, so there’s no need to worry if your baby doesn’t follow that exact timeline.

Development isn’t a race, and babies don’t all reach milestones at the same time. Some may start crawling at 7 months, while others might take until around 11 months to get moving.

What matters most is looking at your baby’s overall development rather than focusing on one specific age.

Why Is Crawling Important?

Crawling gives babies more freedom to explore, but its benefits go far beyond simply getting around the room.

Moving across the floor helps strengthen many of the muscles babies will rely on later, including those in their arms, legs, shoulders, hips, hands, and core. These muscles play an important role in future skills such as standing, walking, and running.

Crawling on hands and knees also helps develop hand strength and coordination. These abilities support everyday activities that come later, such as holding a pencil, fastening buttons, playing with a ball, and coloring.

In other words, every little movement helps your baby build the strength and coordination needed for the next stage of development.

Different Ways Babies Learn to Crawl

When we think about crawling, we usually picture a baby moving forward on their hands and knees. But babies often experiment with different movements before they develop this familiar style.

Some use a combination of rolling, scooting, and pushing themselves along the floor. Others skip traditional crawling altogether and find another way to become mobile.

Here are some common ways babies get started.

1. Rolling From Place to Place

Rolling is often one of the first ways babies discover they can move independently. Around 6 months of age, many babies can roll from their tummy onto their back and vice versa.

As they become more confident, some begin using rolling to travel across the floor. They might roll from one side of the room to the other simply because it gets them closer to a favorite toy.

It may not be crawling in the traditional sense, but it still shows that your baby is learning to move and explore their surroundings.

2. Bottom Scooting

Some babies prefer sitting upright and pushing themselves forward with one or both legs. This movement is commonly known as bottom scooting or booty scooting.

Although it isn’t technically crawling, it’s another way babies develop independence and learn how to move from one place to another.

3. Belly Crawling (Commando or Army Crawling)

Belly crawling is a common early form of crawling. Babies keep their stomachs close to the floor and use their arms to pull themselves forward while pushing with their legs.

The movement resembles a little commando making their way across the ground.

This style helps babies build strength and gain confidence as they learn to coordinate their arms and legs. It often begins around 7 or 8 months of age.

4. Traditional Hands-and-Knees Crawling

This is the crawling style most parents recognize. The baby supports their weight on their hands and knees, moving opposite arms and legs forward in a coordinated pattern.

It requires a combination of balance, core strength, and coordination, making it an important developmental milestone.

Traditional crawling often develops after belly crawling and commonly appears between 9 and 10 months, although individual timelines vary.

5. Bear Crawling

Some babies move with their hands and feet on the floor while keeping their arms and legs relatively straight and their bottoms raised in the air.

This movement is known as the bear crawl. It’s less common than traditional crawling and may appear as babies experiment with different ways of moving, including during the transition toward walking.

What Can Affect When a Baby Starts Crawling?

A baby’s age is only one part of the picture. Their physical development, motivation, environment, and opportunities to move can all influence when they begin crawling.

For example, babies who spend much of their day in swings, bouncy seats, carriers, or strollers have less time to practise moving freely on the floor.

Regular floor play gives babies the opportunity to stretch, reach, roll, push themselves up, and experiment with different movements.

A baby’s muscle tone, coordination, and general health can also influence their development. Babies born prematurely or those with certain medical conditions may follow a different developmental timeline.

The important thing is to give your baby opportunities to practise while remembering that progress can look different from one child to another.

How to Encourage Your Baby to Crawl

You don’t need expensive equipment or special toys to help your baby develop crawling skills. A safe space, a little patience, and regular opportunities to play are often enough to get started.

Here are a few simple ways to encourage your little one.

Make Tummy Time Part of Your Daily Routine

Tummy time helps babies strengthen the muscles in their neck, shoulders, arms, and core. These muscles are essential for pushing up, reaching for objects, and eventually crawling.

Begin with short sessions several times a day, then gradually increase the time as your baby becomes more comfortable. One commonly suggested approach is to work toward around 10 minutes per day for each month of age, spread across the day; however, individual needs and age-appropriate guidance can vary.

Tummy time should always take place while your baby is awake and actively supervised, on a firm, flat surface at floor level. Never leave your baby unattended during tummy time, and always place them on their back for sleep.

Use Toys to Spark Their Curiosity

Sometimes, a little motivation is all it takes.

Place a favorite toy just beyond your baby's reach while they are playing on the floor. This may encourage them to stretch, turn, pivot, or move forward to get it.

Keep the toy close enough to remain interesting without making the activity frustrating. Celebrate your baby's efforts, even when they manage only a small movement.

Get Down on the Floor With Your Baby

Babies love interacting with the people they know and trust. Sitting or lying on the floor at their level can make playtime more engaging.

Try positioning yourself a short distance away and encouraging your baby to move toward you with a smile, a familiar voice, or a favorite toy.

Your presence can make the experience more enjoyable and give your baby an extra reason to explore.

When Should You Be Concerned if Your Baby Isn't Crawling?

It's natural to wonder whether your baby is developing as expected, especially when friends or family members keep asking, “Are they crawling yet?”

But the absence of crawling at a particular age doesn't automatically mean something is wrong. Babies develop at different rates, and some may use alternative ways to move rather than crawl on their hands and knees.

That said, crawling isn't the only milestone worth paying attention to. It's important to look at your baby's overall progress and how they move.

Consider speaking with your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist if your baby:

Shows little interest in moving around or exploring their surroundings.

Seems unusually stiff or unusually floppy when attempting to move.

Does not appear to put weight through their legs when expected for their developmental stage.

Is also having difficulty reaching other movement milestones, such as rolling, sitting independently, or pushing up on straight arms during tummy time.

These signs don't necessarily indicate a problem, but discussing them with a healthcare professional can help you understand whether your baby needs additional support.

Every Baby Has Their Own Pace

Watching your baby discover how to move independently is an exciting experience. From the first determined belly scoot to those first coordinated movements on hands and knees, every small step represents an opportunity to learn.

Try not to compare your baby's progress too closely with that of other children. Some babies crawl early, some take a little longer, and others develop different ways of getting around.

The best thing you can do is provide a safe environment, make time for supervised floor play, and encourage your baby to explore without putting too much pressure on them.

And if you have concerns about your baby's movement or overall development, don't hesitate to speak with a healthcare professional. A conversation with your pediatrician can help you understand your child's progress and decide whether any additional guidance is needed.