9-Month-old Who Isn't Crawling

My son started crawling late... I think it was like 10 months. He would push himself backwards and get so mad that he couldn't get up and move, he would actually grunt and growl! We laughed so hard. He walked late too, but at 4 you would never know it now. He isn't quite as agile as some kids who climb and jump off of things. but he has other strengths. It was hard for me to see other kids meeting milestones before my son... but he spoke and learned academic things very early, so each child is diferent and they all have their own timetable.
:)

I wouldnt worry to much about it. My oldest daughter ( who is now 6 ) never crawled. She also didnt start walking until she was 14 mos old. She never started getting teeth 'till she was almost a year old. My 2nd daughter did everything early. All kids are different, they're all unigue!

Hello
my son (now9) never crawled. He got around where he wanted to go on his but with one leg in front and one leg in back of him hitching along... Some babys dont crawl. As long as he is getting around i wouldnt worry about it.
Good luck and best wishes..

M.,
I feel your pain, I have a son who will be 11 months next Tuesday, who is still not crawling. People tell me it is borrowed time, I think he is being to lazy. I am so thankful that is my only problem with him!
Good Luck

Hey M.,
I wouldn't be too concerned. Some kids aren't crawlers. My nephew never really crawled, he would pull himself around comando style as well. He is now and active healthy 8 year old. As long as your son is trying to get around by himself I think he'll be just fine.

Hi M.
My daughter was the same way when she was 9 months old, then all of the sudden one day about 9months and 10days she stood up and started walking. She never crawled, she is 19 years old now..he will crawl or walk when he feels ready...Good luck
D.

Hi M.,

I have two lovely boys--one 2.5 years and the other 16 months. They have developed at very different rates. My 2.5 year old did not crawl until he was 12 months old and didn't walk until 17 months old. On the other hand, the 16 month old has been very physically active and began to crawl at 4 months old and walked before his first birthday. Basically, children develop at different rates and some children skip traditional crawling all together. The other thing I want to add is that children have their own strengths just like adults do. While my older son couldn't crawl at 9 months, he could identify all of his colors, shapes (including differentiating octagons and pentagons), and did a lot of complex fine motor activities; all things that my younger son couldn't do at the same age. I am sure that your son has a special strength too.

Hi M.

I have 16 months old twins. My daughter never crawled, she scooted a bit.She went right into walking after a year. Her brother was crawling long before she did anything. I was worried because everyone said girls do things at a faster pace. My doctor told us not to worry all kids go at their own pace. I know all opinions are different, but your son is progressing so I would not worry.(again another opinion)I have to remind myself kids go at his/her own pace. esp. when I compare my kids to each other or kids around me. My son is now walking, he started a months or so after his sister. Sorry if this isnt the response you would like.

My son did a lot of what you describe as "army commando" style! It was very funny. He did learn to crawl soon afterwards, but it was stressful for me, because I was feeling freaked out and inadequate! :) Of course, it was all unnecessary. He also started walking when he was 13.5 months, but everything is fine. I guess, kids just figure it out differently. I wouldn't worry about this.

Hi M.~

I wouldn't worry about it at all. Your son is crawling....just his way, commando style. That is how my first son crawled and my third also. I have read and been told that commando style and a couple others besides the regular way are also considered crawling. Just because he's not on his hands and knees doesn't mean there is something wrong with him, he probably just prefers commando over regular. lol Plus you said he is pulling up to standing which is a great sign, he'll probably be walking in a couple months. I am a little surprised that your doctor seemed a little surprised, the doctor of all people should know that it is normal. I don't see anything at all to worry about, sounds like you have a very healthy, happy, and mobile little boy. Relax and enjoy because pretty soon you'll be running around chasing after him. lol

My son didn't start crawling until 11 months. Some babies don't crawl at all.

my son turned 9 months old today and he isnt crawling yet either. Dont worry he will at his own time when he is ready!

We're in the same boat as you! I literally just got back from my daughter's 9 month appointment and my doctor seemed a little surprised too that she isn't crawling. I'm not worried because she moves around and is working on it, she can pull herself up and is doing well.

I know some kids that just never crawl and just do the army style crawl or roll around, but eventually they start walking without ever even crawling. I have also heard though that crawling really stengthens their back muscles...

Either way - it will happen when it happens! Kids do things on their schedule when they are ready!

Remember, some babies don't crawl at all! My son began to crawl the day after his 9 month check up with his pediatrician and began to walk at 11 months. At 7 months my daughter began the army crawl and probably started to crawl on her hands and knees at about 9-10 months, she was walking at 13 months. As you can see, every baby is different and they will do what they can when they are ready to.

My daughter (who is now almost 5) never really crawled. She did the scooting somewhat like what you describe, but ended up skipping traditional style crawling and began solely walking at 9 or 10 months old. My daughter ended up learning how to crawl after learning how to walk! Crawling doesn't have to be on hands and knees either. As long as your child gets to where he wants to go I wouldn't worry.

My son did the army commando thing until he walked at about 12 months and only after that did he crawl on all fours. He was even doing push ups like a military man before he crawled. ha ha. My pedi didn't think anything of it. I think they just do what they do - until they have the need for a doing something in a more efficient way . . . Don't let it keep you up at night. He will be everywhere soon enough. :)

Hi M.! My son chose not to crawl too! He rolled everywhere he went! He probably figured that he got there faster, and it was probably easier on the knees! The day before he turned 10 months old, he took off running, and hasn't stopped since! Kids all grow and develop in their own ways. Mine was an early walker, but now he is 5 years old, and is much like all the kids his age. It seems by the time they get to kindergarten age, they are all pretty on the same page. Enjoy this time! Once they figure they have more range for exploring, they keep your on your feet too!
;-)

Hi M.,

I personally wouldn't worry about it. Some kids never crawl (on their hands and knees that is). I have known many children that have skipped the crawling and went straight to walking. If he can get around and is developing normally in other areas, he is probably just a tummy crawler. Enjoy him, this is a great age!

B.

My son didn't start crawling until he was almost 10 months old. He is a week from 14 months and walking now. Don't sweat it, he will do it in his own time. Patti

some kids never crawl! he gets around so I wouldn't worry.. My son never crawled, he did this weird sitting up ,jumping over one leg thing.. he's fine.. don't worry about it. commando crawl IS crawling - just a different way of doing it..

My niece (now 4 years old) never crawled. Not even a little. She was pulling herself up by about the age as your son. She moved right into cruising and by the time she was one she was walking.

Please don't worry. My friend's son didn't start to crawl until 10mths and he walked at 14mths. Some children develop quicker then others. The problem is (I think) is that society gives us these ages that our children should be developed at and it freaks us, as parents, out.
My son did the army crawl for a good month before crawling. No worries! Your son will be crawling before you know it.

Good luck!

M.,
My dd Maia didn't start crawling- not even commando scoot!- until 11 months! She was simply happier to be sitting wherever I put her and playing with her toys. I also wear her a lot in a sling, so she really had no need to learn to move. She's very good with her hands, and very expressive (she can "say" roughly a dozen signs and a couple of words). Your little man is perfectly fine. Maybe the doc was surprised because he can pull to stand already before he crawls- usually crawling comes first. Also, children tend to focus on one developmental area at a time, letting another area slow down. You may find he starts workng hard suddenly on his physical skills and starts to babble less. There's a huge range of time when a child gains skills- enjoy each stage as it comes and don't hurry it along. They grow so fast;-)

Hi M.,

I also have a son who was born in AUgust of 2006. He is not crawling yet either. Also, he isn't even sitting from his stomach yet. He scoots backwards and gets his knees up, but hasn't yet figured out how to put it all together to actually crawl. I am not in the least bit worried about it, and don't believe you should be either. Almost everythin that I have read does not say that they should be crawling by this time. Aside from what any book says, they all - as you know - have their own developmental timeline. I am sure your little guy will be fine. I also find that one day they can't do something at all and the next they have mastered it. This happened with my son and sitting. I thought he would never be able to sit up, and then one day he could just do it!

Hi Melisa~ Both of my children were very late walkers for no reason at all. Both did not start walking on their own until 18 months. My older son did not really crawl. He scooted on his belly and would roll from place to place. I guess it was easier on his knees since we have wood floors. And he didnt even start moving around like that until 8 months. My second son crawled but again close to almost a year. Every child develops differently. The key is that your son is moving from place to place. Some kids do not "crawl". Sounds like he has found a way to get around that suits him. You will be going back to the doctor for his 1 yr appt I would imagine, so if anyone is concerned at that point, go forward with the concerns and get him checked. Good luck and I am sure he will probably be walking before you know it.

My daughter was a late crawler too, she started at 10 months and crawling didn't last too long because at the same time she started pulling herself up on everything and anything and furniture walking. She was walking easily by 12 months. She certainly made up for any lost time! I was wondering too, but her pediatrician assured us that all kids were different. As everyone told me -- enjoy it while you can because once they are mobile it is off and running and no rest for mom and dad. Good luck.