Babies
Crawling is your baby’s first experience with independence and movement, and it's an exciting milestone. It’s also vital for their physical and cognitive development.
Crawling helps your baby develop physically by strengthening the muscles in their head, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and back. It also supports their visual-spatial skills as they learn to track movement, like seeing you move towards or away from them, and encourages cognitive growth as they make decisions to move or stay.
When will my baby start crawling?
Babies usually start crawling between six to ten months old, although some may take a little longer. Your baby might start by shuffling on their bottom or even crawling backwards at first. This is completely normal.
When should I worry?
All babies develop at their own pace. However, Dr Raj Naranbhai, a paediatrician at Mediclinic Victoria, says delayed crawling could sometimes be a sign of weaker muscles in the arms, even if the baby is otherwise healthy.
Talk to your paediatrician if:
- Your baby shows no interest in moving at all.
- They haven’t figured out how to coordinate their arms and legs.
- They can’t use both arms and legs equally.
How can I help encourage crawling?
Give your baby lots of space to encourage movement – this is a good time to baby-proof your home. Also make sure they get plenty of tummy time. This helps strengthen the muscles in their neck, shoulders, arms, back, and torso. During tummy time, place some favourite toys just out of reach to encourage them to move towards them.
What if my baby skips crawling and goes straight to walking?
If your baby skips crawling and goes straight to walking, it’s completely normal and not something to worry about, says Dr Naranbhai. “If your baby is able to stand with support, cruise, and walk at the right times, there’s no need for concern,” he assures. Not crawling doesn’t mean there’s a problem, but if you notice other developmental delays, it’s a good idea to have your baby assessed.
Parents should provide plenty of encouragement and support to help their baby start walking independently, especially if the baby skipped the crawling stage, Dr Naranbhai adds.
Can crawling affect cognitive development later in life?
Some studies suggest that crawling might affect future brain development. One study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics looked at the connection between the timing of major motor milestones and a child’s development. It found that children who achieve certain physical skills earlier tend to do better in school. But this study has not been conclusive. “There are no studies that clearly link the failure of crawling to any failure or success in learning, in later life,” Dr Naranbhai explains.