You're sitting on the rug, coffee getting cold, staring at your seven-month-old. They’re sitting there. Maybe they’re rocking a bit on all fours or just happily smashing a silicone spatula against the floorboards. You look at Instagram. Your friend’s baby—who is three weeks younger, by the way—is already zooming across the kitchen like a caffeinated Roomba. Naturally, the panic sets in. You start Googling when should my baby be crawling because you're convinced they’re "behind."
Stop. Deep breath.
Development isn't a race, even if the internet makes it feel like one. Most babies hit the crawling stage somewhere between 7 and 10 months. That’s the "textbook" answer. But honestly? The textbook is more of a suggestion than a rulebook. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), some kids skip the traditional hands-and-knees crawl entirely and go straight to cruising on furniture. It's weird, but it's normal.
The Wide Window of Movement
Most pediatricians look for a specific window. If your baby is around 8 or 9 months and hasn't started moving, it's rarely a reason to sound the alarm. Dr. Emmi Pikler, a famous Hungarian pediatrician, spent years documenting how babies develop naturally when they aren't propped up or forced into positions they aren't ready for. She found that the "when" matters way less than the "how."
Some babies are just "bottom shufflers." They sit on their butts and use one leg to propel themselves forward like a little pirate ship. Others do the "army crawl," dragging their bellies along the floor while using their arms to pull. My nephew did this for three months. He looked like he was auditioning for an action movie, but he was perfectly healthy. He just found it more efficient than lifting his belly off the ground.
Why the 6-Month Mark is a Myth
You might hear people say, "Oh, my Johnny was crawling at six months!"
Maybe he was. Some babies are high-energy, high-tone, and ready to go. But 6 months is actually quite early. At this stage, most babies are still mastering the art of sitting without toppling over like a bowling pin. They need core strength. Without a solid trunk, crawling is basically impossible.
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The Weird Styles of "Crawling"
Let’s talk about the different ways babies actually get from Point A to Point B. You probably have a specific image in your head of what crawling looks like—the classic hands-and-knees "all fours" move.
- The Classic Crawl: Opposite arm and leg move together. This is the gold standard for bilateral coordination.
- The Bear Crawl: This one is hilarious. They keep their elbows and knees straight and walk on their hands and feet like a little grizzly bear.
- The Commando (Army) Crawl: Belly stays on the floor. It’s common for babies who have strong arms but haven't figured out how to tuck their knees under their hips yet.
- The Crab Crawl: Pushing backward or sideways. It’s usually a phase. They want to go forward, but their arms are stronger than their legs, so they accidentally launch themselves in reverse.
Honestly, as long as they are using both sides of their body somewhat equally, the "style" doesn't matter much to your pediatrician. If you notice they only use the left side of their body and the right side just drags like dead weight, that is a specific time to call the doctor. Otherwise? Let them be a little crab.
Building the "Engine" for Movement
You can't force a baby to crawl. Their nervous system has to be ready. It’s a complex dance between the brain’s motor cortex and the muscles in the neck, back, and shoulders.
Tummy time is the big one. Everyone talks about it, and almost every baby hates it at first. But those minutes on the floor are basically "baby CrossFit." It builds the extensor muscles. If your baby spends all day in a "container"—think swings, walkers, or Bumbo seats—they don’t get the chance to feel the floor. The floor is the best teacher.
Dr. Mary Weck, a physical therapist at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, often notes that floor time is essential for developing the sensory-motor system. When a baby's palms press against the carpet or hardwood, it sends signals to the brain about where their body is in space. This is called proprioception. It's the "secret sauce" of walking and crawling.
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When Should My Baby Be Crawling? Signs They Are Close
Usually, you’ll see some "pre-game" behaviors before the actual movement starts.
One day, they’ll get on all fours and just... rock. Back and forth. Back and forth. It looks like they’re revving an engine. This is them testing their balance and strengthening their joints. They might also start pivoting in circles on their bellies. If they can turn 360 degrees to grab a toy, they’re basically halfway there.
Don't forget the "plank." Many babies will push up onto their hands and toes and just hold it. They are building the shoulder stability required to move one hand forward without face-planting. It’s hard work. If you tried to do it for as long as they do, you’d be sore the next day.
The Role of Modern Flooring
Here is something people don't think about: your floors might be too slippery.
If you have sleek hardwood or tile, your baby might be trying to get into a crawling position but their knees keep sliding out like they're on ice. This can be frustrating for them. Sometimes, putting them in just a diaper or using "crawling pads" with little rubber grips can give them the traction they need to finally "hook" into the floor and move.
When to Actually Worry
While the window is wide, there are a few red flags.
If your baby is 12 months old and isn't showing any interest in moving—no rolling, no scooting, no attempting to pull up—talk to your doctor.
If they seem "floppy" (low muscle tone) or extremely "stiff" (high muscle tone), that's worth a conversation.
The CDC recently updated their developmental milestones, and while they moved some things around to ensure parents don't panic unnecessarily, the general consensus remains: movement by the first birthday is key.
Sometimes, a delay isn't about muscles or brains; it's about personality. Some babies are "observers." They are perfectly happy to sit and manipulate a toy with their fingers for forty minutes. They aren't motivated to move because they’re busy processing fine motor skills. Others are "movers" who would rather throw themselves off a couch than sit still. Both are fine.
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Practical Ways to Help
You don't need fancy toys or "crawling trainers."
Basically, just get on the floor with them.
Put their favorite toy—the one they really, really want—just a few inches out of reach. Not so far that they give up and cry, but just far enough that they have to grunt and wiggle to get it.
Mirroring is also huge. Get on your hands and knees and crawl next to them. They learn by watching you.
Another trick? The "towel method." If they are struggling to stay up on all fours, take a small towel, roll it up, and slide it under their chest/tummy while they’re on their hands and knees. It gives them just enough support to feel what it’s like to have their weight over their limbs without the constant struggle of gravity.
The Big Picture
At the end of the day, whether your baby crawls at 7 months or 11 months has zero correlation with how smart they will be or whether they’ll get into a good college. In fact, a small percentage of perfectly healthy children skip crawling and go straight to walking at 10 or 12 months.
Focus on the progress, not the date on the calendar. Are they getting stronger? Are they more curious than they were last month? If the answer is yes, you're doing fine.
Actionable Next Steps for Parents
- Ditch the "Containers": Limit time in walkers, jumpers, and car seats when you’re at home. The floor is the only place they can truly learn to move.
- Check the Surface: If you have hard floors, try a foam play mat or a rug to provide better traction for those tiny knees.
- The "Out of Reach" Game: Place enticing objects (or your phone, let's be real, they always want the phone) just beyond their fingertips during tummy time.
- Bilateral Check: Observe if they are using both arms and both legs. If they are consistently neglecting one side, mention it at your next pediatrician visit.
- Relax: If they are sitting up, rolling both ways, and reaching for objects, the "engine" is working. The "wheels" will follow soon enough.
Movement is coming. Your days of sitting quietly with a coffee are numbered. Soon, you'll be chasing them away from the dog's water bowl and trying to figure out how they managed to get under the coffee table in three seconds flat. Enjoy the stillness while it lasts.
Expert Sources Referenced:
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) - Physical Development Milestones
- CDC’s Developmental Milestones (Updated 2022)
- Pikler Institute - Natural Gross Motor Development Research
- Mayo Clinic - Infant Development: From 7 to 9 Months