9 Month Old Not Crawling

my first did not crawl at all, she only rolled over a couple times... she did not like it, maybe a little scared. I think she was and still is very careful and not very aware of her body. She did walk at 10.5 months and crawled a few times after that. She is a energetic, smart almost 4 year old.

My 10 month old is the opposite, very mobile, fast and aware of her body,she is not afraid of things.

So I wouldn't worry yet, but if it helps you relax go to the doctor.

I don't know when mine started "scooting" but she never crawled either. She didn't walk until 16 months but at 2 1/2 she is just fine. I noticed she was more of a thinker than a mover and a little bigger than most so I think this is why mine moved later than average.

some kids do not crawl at all. My son is 9mo old and is sitting without help very well now and does not crawl yet. There is a huge range for what is normal for things like sitting and crawling and walking. Now just in the last couple of weeks my son has started to roll everywhere. My other two kids are girls and they did everything early so at first I was frustrated too. I have just learned to have some patients and he will crawl when he is ready (and strong enough also)

I suggest that you have a pediatrician take a look at her. It's most likely that she's just more slow in learning than other babies that you know. I agree that an important piece to consider is that she is trying to do new movements. Does she have good muscle tone? Can she hold onto your hands and pull herself up? If not encourage her to work on doing that. When you put your hands on her feet while her legs are bent does she push against your hands in a strong way?

She may need more tummy time. Do you place her on her tummy and then put things in front of her so that she reaches for them? You can also lay down in front of her and keep her attention that way. She may enjoy rolling over so much she's not staying on her tummy and using those muscles enough.

If she's attempting to sit up on her own she'll figure out how to do it. This does mean that you let her struggle for awhile. She'll be frustrated as she tries and this may be difficult to watch. However it's important to let her struggle. Being frustrated in a normal part of learning.

Being on a firm surface will help her be able to sit up. I think spending a lot of time on the floor is helpful.

I was surprised when my granddaughter was walking at 10 months. When I was young and watching babies develop, walking before a year was unusual. Sometimes I think we push our babies too much.

Check with the pediatrician to ease your mind. Continue to do things to encourage her to continue trying. Don't protect her from frustration. She'll, one day, "get it," and you can celebrate.

Not crawling at this age is totally normal. I've known kiddos that haven't crawled until after their 1st birthday and didn't walk until 16 months old. Some babies don't ever crawl. She might be one who will cruise (pull to stand and use items to walk around) the furniture. The only two things that come to mind to help her get moving is: 1. make sure to put toys she wants just out of reach and then continue to put them a little further away each day, and 2. try a walk behind/push toy. Otherwise, don't worry and if she's still not crawling by her 1 year check up, talk to your doc about it to put your mind at ease. :-D

was she premature? my son was 6 weeks early, and "rolled" all the way up till about 10 or 11 months, then crawled for maybe 4 months..and didnt walk till about 15 months. try having her stand in a "walker" build up her muscle tone...=)

hope this eases your mind..and yes, some kids never crawl..but it is a healthy part of development..so hopefully she does. =)

Talk to your pediatrician. She may need some OT to help her strengthen those muscles. There are a lot of excersizes you can do at home. My youngest son had only 2 appointments with OT, where they showed me what to do. What a wonderful help they were!
Always be aware of milestones and whether or not your child is meeting them. It could indicate that something isn't right, or that you child just needs a boost. The fact that your child ins't crawling yet is one of these indicators. Go with your gut. With a Mom like you paying attention, she will do wonderful things! Good Luck!

E., I had troubles crawling when I was a baby. My mom put a large towl under my stomach and torso and gently pulled me forward to help me to crawl. It worked.

My son didn't start crawling until he was 11 months and he didn't walk until he was 13 months ( he is 16 months now). I wouldn't worry about it, she will start moving in her own time :)

yes, it is normal. My son didn't crawl until 10 months and didn't walk until 15. My other son crawled at 7 months, but didn't walk until 15 months either. It is weird how they do different things at different times. I guess take advantage of this time when she isn't mobile yet :)

Not all kids crawl. And actually, thanks to the "back to sleep" trend, the percentage that doesn't crawl is increasing. I would mention this to your pediatrician, but definitely not sweat it, especially if your daughter is attempting to stand.

And as far as encouraging her, try rolling balls to her while she is sitting - it will encourage her to reach and perhaps roll forward into a crawling position.

my son didn't crawl till he was 11 mo and he is just fine. he didn't go through any of the slow and awkward crawling, rather he went straight for the fast and efficient crawling. she is probably just perfecting the skill in her head before actually attempting it.

My son didn't crawl until he was two weeks shy of his first birthday. He never liked to be on his tummy. He walked at 14 months and could throw a spiral football accurately before he could either crawl or walk. They all develop at their own stages. My daughter never really crawled, she scooted. She didn't walk until she was almost 18 months old, but once she walked she did it as well as any other child her age, even if they had been walking for 6 months longer than she. In contrast, my oldest son crawled at 5 months & walked at 10 months - they're just all so different. Enjoy that you know where she is all of the time and that she isn't getting into as much trouble:-)

My daughter was late (I thought) be able to roll over, and when I voiced my concern to our pediatrician, she said, "Don't worry. They learn these things at their own pace. Someday you'll WISH you could put her down and she's stay put, but it won't happen. They all learn to get around whether you like it or not!"

Definitely keep your doctor informed, but try not to get frustrated. My daughter never did crawl until *after* she started walking. She took her first steps around 1 year, but didn't crawl until a couple of weeks after that, when she realized she could get there faster that way. But we could tell she HATED it. Much preferred walking. Or, letting us bring her things. :)

Putting fun things just out of your daughter's reach so she has to rock forward a bit might help, as others have said. But try not to worry. She'll get there soon enough, they all do. Hang in there!

It's totally normal. My son didn't crawl until after he walked (he walked at 10 months) and we tried EVERYTHING to get him to crawl. He just wasn't interested in doing anything except walking around with us. My daughter crawled before she was 8 months old. Every kid is different and she will figure it out!

Can you encourage her to lunge for toys (or you or whatever she wants) from a sitting position? This is how my daughter learned to go back up to a sitting position.

When I was in college getting my early childhood degree I learned that it is perfectly normal for each child to develop at their own pace.
Also I learned that some babies never crawl. I hope that this helps.

Yes, very normal!! Every child learns to get mobile in different times. My son, who is now a very normal 5 year old, didn't crawl until he was 1 year + 2 weeks. He just sat there like a lump forever! And when he was only 9 1/2 months, he was still falling backward when sitting sometimes, I had to keep a pillow behind him all the time. Then he walked at 13 1/2 months. My daughter, on the other hand, is 11 1/2 months old now and has been crawling since she was 7 months and is walking unassisted for up to 5 steps. I know it is frustrating, I've been there, and it drove me nuts. She'll get moving in her own time just try and be patient. I wouldn't push it too much, when I pushed my son with those types of things, it just made him more unsure of himself and then he wouldn't try as much. Good luck!

Place her on her stomach and put one of her favorite toys just out of her reach so she has to stretch and/or crawl to get it. Also, while she is on her stomach, place a walking/rolling type toy (wind-up toy, ball, car, whatever she likes) nearby. Once she is interested in it, make it slowly move away from her so she will be tempted to follow it. The same principle works if she is sitting. My Mother-in-law says that my husband and his brother both learned to crawl and walk by following their pet bird across the floor. :) You are right, motivation is the key!

I completely relate! My son was crawling by 7 months and walking by 11. My 2nd baby, my sweet daughter, wasn't even close! I thought there was something wrong with her! I had her tested and everything. Turns out it's just her personality! She's so laid back and in no rush to do anything! She didn't really crawl on her hands and knees until she was 12 months old! Then she didn't walk until she was 17 months old! And she's completely healthy physically and mentally. So don't worry too much! She'll do it in her own time... If you force it and she's not ready, she might wait even longer. Every baby is different. I had to learn that myself!

My daughter didn't start crawling until 10.5 months. Boys tend to develop the large muscle groups (for crawling etc) earlier while girls tend to develop language and fine motor earlier. It sounds like it's not a matter of motivation for her, but a matter of needing the muscle strength. Try playing with a ball with her. Something that changes her balance but is still fun instead of work. Roll it back and forth, make it bounce once before she can catch it, roll it to each side of her, etc.

If she can barrel roll around the room, place things a little further than she can reach so she has to roll to get them a little. It's a workout for her, but has a great reward at the end!

Don't lose heart! Some babies are just plain unmotivated, OR in the case of the boy I watch, he wasn't crawling at his 1 yr. appointment, so his parents took him to physical therapy just to check it out, and they said he was just super cautious, and afraid of making big strides, so they encouraged the parents to start with small strides and just build on that. So lots of extra encouragement and work will pay off. He is about 17 months now, and almost walking. Every child has their own comfort levels!

Hi E.-

I was a Nanny for many years, and I've worked with several infants that were late crawler/walkers. As long as your daughter is making forward progress, trying to crawl, all is OK.

I worked with a infant that didn't walk until 18 months, one reason, was his sisters brought him everything, another was due to fat thighs. Eventually he walked without a problem.

Don't worry, she'll get it eventually = )

R. Magby

I would suggest a few things. First of all, it is completely within the range of normal for a baby this age not to crawl yet, so I'd start by not worrying. Specific suggestions that might help her learn to crawl: Don't put her in the sitting position (it's much better for them to not sit until they learn how to get there themselves - but since you have been sitting her up, she may at first be more frustrated when you stop doing it, so be prepared). Less time lying on her back or in any sort of seat (carseat, highchair etc). Do more tummy time, including getting down on the floor with her, on your tummy, and playing with her, including being in front of her and making a fun game of you moving back and she moving forward. You can also do simple things like give her something to push her feet against, lifting her into crawling position and moving her arms and legs for her (just a little, to give her the idea). I would NOT recommend the johnny jumpups or walkers, they are actually very bad for spinal muscle development. A couple of good books are Amazing Babies and Baby Steps. Basically though I'd just recommend letting her discover how to move by herself, with your cheerful encouragement!

My 9 1/2 month old doesn't crawl either. He scoots on his rear using his hand and one leg to move. It's pretty funny looking. It's normal that not all kids will be crawling by this age. WIth our son, we put toys just out of reach so he had to try to get them. It worked to get him moving. Also, we learned with Braeden that he's going to do stuff when he truly feels like it, not when we think he's going to do it. Now he's all over the place scooting and trying to pull himself up, 2 weeks ago, he was very slowly figuring out scooting. She'll get there. Don't worry!

Neither of my kids crawled until they were about 12 months old. Then walked by 13 months and haven't stopped running since. Don't worry. It's normal. Enjoy the lack of mobility!

I have a 5 month old boy who is not sitting without help and even then his head still slumps, he can roll side to side, but not over. He cannot bear down on his legs if I stand him up. He is also 18.2 lbs, the weight of a 10 month old. I am told that because of this extra weight he has a lot more girth to try and move around and he may be delayed in movement development. Any chance you have a weighty infant? If not, I still would not worry, we all progress at our own speed. My mother told me I never crawled. I sat and then got up and walked one day. No worries. She will do it in time. Take pleasure in that you are not chasing a 9-month old all over the house yet. Better yet, take the time for extra baby proofing for when she does get up and go. She will probably want to make up for "lost time". Hope this helps. Take Care

2 of my nephew did not crawl until after their first birthday. One even walked a week later. Both (years later) are perfectly normal bright children.

One reason that some babies are later crawling is that they are larger and have more weight to haul. Sometimes they may walk later because they were not put down on the floor enough to develop the muscles. Sometimes they have no need to work that hard because someone is always there to get them everything they want or to move them to where they want to go. Sometimes the baby's personality is just that they are content where they are and don't have any burning desire to try for more.

The best thing to do for her is just be patient, encourage her by putting toys just out of her reach (but close enough to make her want it and think she can get it). Also, don't be afraid to let her be frustrated. Help her out if she gets very upset, but whimpering and fussing is fine. Frustration is not a bad thing.

My daughter didn't crawl until 10 to 11months because she scooted on her rear instead. Every baby is different, so I don't think you need to be concerned, but bring it up in your next appointment with your Peditrician.

I am sure you tried all the ways with toys, etc. Maybe try a big box. Boxes completely entice children for some crazy reason.

Learning to sit up is a feat in itself too. you could help her practice by laying on her side and helping her bend her legs, etc to get into that position. Help her feel how it is done.

Before you know it, she will be all over the place.

She sounds normal to me. My son didn't attempt to crawl until 10mo, then started walking at 12mo. You daughter is still within a normal range. The most you can do is show her how and help her to do it. She'll get it before you know it!

Some kids never crawl. My son although he didn't walk until after he turned 1, never crawled. He went from rolling everywhere to walking. She'll be okay. Just try to help her get around by rolling.

No need to panic! My daughter didn't crawl until she was a year old (two days before her birthday--no joke!), and my son was crawling before he was even five months old. Every kid is different, and the main thing is that your daughter proceed at her own pace, that she find ways to be happy with where she is right now, and that she stay occupied with toys and activities that interest her.

Frustration is good for her, for it will benefit her development, but in moderation. In other words, it's good if there are times she is motivated to get somewhere, but most of her day should be pretty happy at this point, whether she crawls or not.

I had relatives terribly concerned about my daughter's walking, but she's nine now, active, happy, and completely normal (and she didn't walk until 18 months). Her verbal development was rapidly moving along at that point, so it must have been just what she chose to emphasize. Try not to be frustrated yourself, for your feelings will affect your daughter's, even at that young age. Just relax and take her development in stride! You and she will do fine, I promise.

I would mention it at her next check-up, or even call your pediatrician if you are very concerned.

If she is developing fine otherwise, it is probably no reason to worry. I personally know several children that NEVER crawled. One of them is my daughter's age and she never crawled, never cruised and bam! at 12 months she just started walking freely without any trouble at all.
Some of my nieces were early walkers (<12 mo) and just skipped crawling in favor of cruising along furniture.

The best thing you can do is not to help her get somewhere she wants to. She may be frustrated and crying, but she will eventually figure out a way to move.

Good luck.

If there is no medical reason, just except it and stop worry about it. My son never crawled or scooted, or anything like that. He wanted to be carried around or just sat down playing happily with his toys. He started walking when he was 15 months and only a week later he was running. Good luck!

Our daughter is almost a year and has not crawled, doesn't pull herself up and hates rolling over. We keep asking our pediatrician if we should be worried, but they tell us to not worry because some babies don't crawl and each baby starts standing on their own at a different rate, and if they really want something, they will figure out how to get to it. Our daughter did start scooting on her bottom when sitting about 2 weeks ago around her 11 month mark, which our pediatrician told us to expect. So, if you are concerned I would definitely talk with your pediatrician, if nothing else they might be able to help put your mind at ease.

Both our girls were not crawling until 11 months. Our oldest didn't walk until 15 months, and the baby is almost a year now and isn't walking yet. Just be patient - she'll start being more mobile before you know it. :-)

I am doing day care for a 9 1/2 month old boy who isn't anywhere near crawling. He rolls over but kind of by accident rather than on purpose. He's not scooting or getting into a sitting position. He will sit upright when put that way and he will move from sitting up to his tummy by kind of falling to his side. He just doesn't seem to want to move much. This is very different than my own three kids. Since you tell a similar story, I am wondering if you've found any answers or ideas? I did, today, put him on his knees on my carpeted stairs with toys, while spotting him. That, at least, works on his crawling muscles. He liked it. :-)

We have 9 1/2 month old twin girls and they aren't crawling yet either! I have been told that this is okay that they will learn at their own pace... I really wouldn't worry that your baby isn't crawling yet. She may just skip crawling and go straight to walking!! I've researched this and many experts say that some babies skip crawling and will start to pull themselves up on things like the coffee table or couch. I recieved 2 really beneficial learning toys for Christmas, 1 is a Fisher Price baby table with lots of lights and sounds. At first, I placed my girls (me holding one and my hubby holding the other) up on their feet and made them hold on to the table. At first, they didn't move and got kind of frustrated after a few minutes because they couldn't move! But after 2 or 3 trys they are now able to stand by themselves and play at the table! The other toy is a Leap Frog Walker; yes, it looks like a senior citizen walker but much smaller and of course for babies. I haven't used this yet but I can see how it will be beneficial for when my girls start to take their first steps. Hope all of this helps you and it is nice to know that we are not the only mothers who's babes are not crawling yet! Take care and good luck to you and your family!

Try swimming lessons. It has the same motions as crawling. Get one of those bouncey chairs that hang from the ceiling so she can be upright. This will strengthen her spine. I would also ask the doctor about this. I think she is still within normal limits, but getting close to being outside of the limits.

I can tell you what I did for my two kids. Lay a blanket on the floor with lots of toys all over. spread out and put the baby on it. Leave them to play & explore on their own. this helps them to learn how to do for themselves ( tend to pick up toys & introduce it and play with it and they need to be curious on their own unless you want to do this for them for the rest of their life!). If they are getting frustrated, then give a little time & encouragement, and increase time by themselves in increments. I rotated them thru the different baby items of high chair, bouncy seat, jumper, exersaucer, swing. They were never in any one item longer than 20 minutes. each item puts them in a different position and would work different muscles. Mainly put them on floor though. My daughter sat up at 5 mths. crawled kinda @ 6mths. walked @ 8 months. climbed on table @ 10 mths.--my son army man crawled @5 mths, sat up @7 Walked @9mths, ____@____.com get him to crawl, I used his appetite. He loves food. so I would make a trail of cheerios and he wanted that cheerio so bad that he figured out how to move. it became a game for us and he really could move fast once he figured it out. Hope this helps you & your little one.

I am in the same boat you are, oddly enough. I have a 9month old daughter too(almost 10 mos.) She's not crawling yet either and rolls all over the place and isn't sitting up from her back without help yet either. I've had 3 other kids and I'm giving her just a few more short weeks before I seek dr.s advice, but its becoming more and more of a concern for me. I'd like to read what your other responders have to say about this as well. Thanks for posting this. I probably never would've.