Baby Crawling: When to Expect It & How to Encourage It

Crawling is a milestone that changes everything — suddenly your baby can get to things, and your home will never look the same again. Here's what to expect, how to encourage it, and what it means if your baby decides to skip it entirely.

When do babies crawl?

Most babies begin crawling between 7 and 10 months, though the range extends from about 6 to 12 months. Some babies crawl as early as 5–6 months; others skip straight to pulling to stand and walking.

The journey to crawling usually goes:

• Rolling (3–5 months)
• Pushing up on extended arms during tummy time (4–6 months)
• Pivoting on tummy — spinning in circles (5–7 months)
• Commando crawling / army crawling — dragging with arms, tummy on floor (6–8 months)
• Getting onto all fours — rocking back and forth (7–9 months)
• True crawling — coordinated hands and knees (7–10 months)

Crawling styles

There is no one "correct" crawl. Babies develop whatever pattern works for them:

Classic crawling: Alternating hands and knees, tummy up. The most common.

Bear crawling: Hands and feet, bottom in the air. Looks strange, works fine.

Bottom shuffling: Seated, propelling with arms and one leg. Common in some families (it's hereditary). Often bypasses crawling entirely.

Crab crawling: Moving sideways or backward before mastering forward.

All of these are normal variations. What matters is that baby is moving, exploring, and building the coordination for walking.

Why crawling matters

Crawling isn't just about getting around — it's one of the most developmentally rich motor milestones:

• Builds upper body strength (shoulders, arms, hands) essential for later fine motor tasks like writing
• Develops bilateral coordination — the two sides of the brain and body working together
• Strengthens core muscles needed for sitting and standing
• Develops spatial awareness and depth perception
• Builds vestibular and proprioceptive systems (balance and body sense)

Research suggests crawling also supports the development of neural pathways used in reading and writing — though the evidence for crawling being essential to academic skills is overstated in popular parenting culture.

How to encourage crawling

Plenty of tummy time

Every hour on the tummy is building the strength that crawling requires. Tummy time is the single most important preparation.

Motivating toys just out of reach

Place interesting objects just beyond reach during tummy time or when baby is on all fours. The desire to get something creates the motivation to figure out movement.

The crawl tunnel

Crawl tunnels are brilliant motivators once baby is getting onto all fours. The enclosed space triggers a natural instinct to move forward.

Get on the floor yourself

Crawl toward baby, around baby, encourage by example. Babies are natural imitators.

Reduce time in seats and bouncers

Floor time = development time. Every minute in a bouncer is a minute not building the strength for crawling.

Firm surfaces

Carpet, foam mats, and non-slip hard floors are all fine. Very soft surfaces (deep cushions) can make the mechanics harder.

When baby skips crawling

Around 7–10% of babies skip crawling entirely, going straight from sitting to pulling to stand to walking. There is no strong evidence that crawling-skippers have developmental delays — most walk at completely normal ages and develop typically.

However, if you're concerned or if baby is not moving at all by 12 months, speak to your health visitor. Occasionally, reduced crawling can be associated with muscle tone differences that benefit from physiotherapy.

Baby proofing for crawlers

The moment baby starts moving, your home changes:

• Stair gates at top and bottom of stairs
• Secure heavy furniture to the wall (bookcases, wardrobes)
• Cover plug sockets
• Remove choking hazards from floor level (coins, batteries, small toys from older siblings)
• Lock low cupboards containing cleaning products or medicines
• Check floor for hazards — from baby's eye level, things look very different

Capture the first crawl

First crawl is one of the milestone videos every parent wants. Set up your phone horizontally, place a tempting toy at the other end of the room, and wait. Log the date in TinyYears — and get ready to start chasing.