Crawling - Manchester,CT

You should call Early Intervention and see aobut getting him evaluated. He could have low muscle tone issues like my son did and need PT to help him work on this. A free eval to see if nothing is wrong is great too.

Some people think that crawling is a milestone, but it isn't. Many babies never crawl. My son (almost 20 months) scooted on his bum to get around and virtually never crawled. Now he's running around and there's no stopping him. LOL.

I'd try not to worry too much about not crawling. Good luck.

Peace,
S.

This sounds just like my little girl. She will be 1 on 4/7. We were certain that she would go straight to walking b/c she hated being on her stomach but loved to stand. Then, three weeks ago we noticed some army crawling and then, just two days ago she was crawling on her knees. I wouldn't worry at all if I were you. He'll get there.

Oh dear, you have gotten yourself all amuck over this !!!
These babies do their own thing on their own time schedules and so very different from each other too.
I have seen babies that never crawl..there is a doctors family at church, have three little guys from one to six. NONE of whom crawled...they skittered along, sitting on their butts and propelled by their heels. Funniest thing you ever saw. My youngest brother also got around that way.
Some lay on their tummies and sorta do a forward flop, like break dancing.
If your little guy is standing, trying to walk, so what?
Dont know that the manual on growing up has a chapter on the necessity of crawling.
If you are genuinly concerned as to his development then discuss it with his pediatrician, yes?
Please do not distress yourself..Aiden sounds like he is doing just fine.
Tincture of time and this too, shall pass.
Best wishes and God bless
Grandmother Lowell

Although some babies never crawl, that's not necessarily okay - crawling is important for brain development; it develops certain connections in the brain that aren't developed by any other type of movement. I work for early intervention and hear people saying all the time that some babies just don't crawl, and it's true, but it's great if you can get him to crawl. I would add the recommendation of seeing a pediatric chiropractor - we have been seeing one since our son's birth. A friend goes to him as well and her son, who was motor delayed, is now crawling and almost walking, between the early intervention and chiropractic treatments. Check out www.icpa4kids.com to find one near you!

C.,
Some kids do skip over this stage, but it's not necessarily the best for them developmentally. What you might try to do is help him get into the crawling position on his tummy. Does he happen to have an acid reflux problem? My son did and hated tummy time and would never be on his tummy. We actually receive birth to three. He still gets it. He's 17 months now and doing great, but I don't know where he would be without their help. You might want to try to get an early intervention evaluation just to get some more suggestions of how you can help those motor skills move along on the correct path. They'll come to your home to evaluate and even if they don't think he'll qualify they might be able to give you some ideas of what to do to get him crawling. I would definitely try putting him in the crawling position and then put a toy he really likes in front of him where he can see it.

Hello C., I just spent an hour writing a response and then somehow managed to wipe it all out with a mis-hit of a key! UGH! It is what it is. You weren't to hear what Ihad to say, I guess! :) Let me tell you as a pedi COTA and as a mom of twins, one of which had some minor sensory-motor issues as an infant/toddler, I fall on the side of caution...NOT panic, but c a u t i o n. I notice you are a special ed teacher, and so naturally you are thinking developmentally...and my guess is , you're thinking the WORSE which is a natural thing. But please don't. As long as you do as I did as a young OT/Mom and support your child AND respect where he is at any given stage of his development, you'll both be fine. My child had mild sensory-motor issues at birth as a premature twin, and 'skipped' crawling as well due to something called 'primitive reflexes' that remained present long after they were suppose to be integrated into her motor system. These patterns caused her to fall down a LOT whenever she would pull herself up to stand and turn her head to look at her faster moving beloved sister...not fun if she was holding onto the side of our old claw foot bath tub! Anyway...my advise? Have fun with your little guy. Take the 'worry' out of your head and replace it with 'fun' and provide him with activities that e n c o u r a g e him to WANT to be on his tummy! Try as I did and have your hubby install a long 3" eye hook into a double (or single) door way entrance to suspend a hammock swing. Place Aiden on his tummy so that the hammock swing supports him all the way to his armpits and close enough to the floor so he can touch the floor with your encouragement of reaching out your hands to him and smiling and gooing etc...5 minutes a day...play
s l o w l y and gently in a lateral plane. OR...you can do the same thing by placing him in a sheet as if the stork were delivering him to you;) and do the same thing...although the hammock swing is best for weight bearing and for head and neck extension...which is good for strengthening those eye muscles....;) Sorry...can't take the OT out of me! And, FYI...my daughter with all the earlier problems with motor skills was MVP in all kinds of sports later on in life and now has a double degree...in OT! Have fun with Aiden ....just meet him where he is, but also know that his unease with positioning himself in certain planes could be an early sign of your needing to intervene...g e n t l y. Like I said, don't bring 'worry' into the equation...bring fun and enthusiasm! Best regards C.. Be Peace, N.

Hello C.,

Give it a little more time. Our daughter started crawling at 15 months, well after she learned how to walk (13 mo). As a first time mom, I was worried but my husband used to joke and say "if she doesn't crawl by age 15 we will take her in to see a specialist". Now every time we feel our kids are behind on a skill, we will joke and say the same thing: "If he won't drink from a cup by age 15, we will take him in" and the joke goes on... sooner or later they learn the potty, etc. at their own pace. Share your concern with your pediatrician at the 12 mo. check up, in case they feel your child needs to be examined further. In the meantime, relax and enjoy it while it lasts... after he crawls you will be busier!!! Good luck.

I wouldn't worry about it. My son didn't crawl until he was 10 1/2 months old and he didn't like being on his stomach. Some kids never call and go right to walking which sounds like what your little one will do.

Some babies never crawl and go straight to walking. It sounds like he's trying to walk, and get around in general. Keep putting things he wants just out of his reach, and encourage him to get those things himself, by whatever means he can.
If he's not walking or crawling by 15 months or so, have him evaluated bc he might need physical therapy. And I would definitely bring up your concern at his 1 year appointment. But I wouldn't worry quite yet.

What does he do when he is sitting? Both of my kids crawled from sitting positions and never enjoyed being on their stomach period. Their muscles aren't developed enough without crawling first to get up from their stomach and crawl.
When he is sitting - put some favorite toys around him - just out or reach or make it a game and encourage him to come to you. He should start to lunge for things and from there he'll figure out that he's stronger than he thinks. First his arms will build strength to support himself, then he will find himself on all four's and start rocking, then he'll be on his way to crawling!
Also, both of my kids would turn while sitting up to get somewhere before they crawled.

Just don't worry about what other babies are doing. As long as he is hitting other developmental milestones - I'm sure there is no need to worry.
(And from the mom of a crawler - it might just be a blessing! I can't keep up with the stuff my kid is getting into!)

My son didn't learn to crawl until about a month after his first birthday. He then learned to walk the following month. It's nothing to worry about as long as everything else is normal. Trust me, you'll regret wanting him to get around as soon as hes able to. :-)

My sister has a baby boy named Aiden as well and his birthday is 4/21. He has no interested in crawling either. They sound like the same exact baby!
Like I tell her, some babies never crawl. Make sure you put good walking shoes on him (I love Stride rites walking shoes because they are light weight). Also, just keep trying to have him walk holding your hands and crawl around on the ground and show him.
Every baby goes at their own pace. Even though he doesn't like being on his belly, I would try putting him on it a several times a day, a few minutes at a time. Plus he'll roll over if he hates it so much.
Good luck.

Don't worry - all babies are different and have their own developmental schedule. If he hates being on his belly, then so-be-it! Many babies I know have skipped the crawling stage and went straight to walking and they are very happy healthy toddlers -- no issues! Encourage him to walk - get a sturdy walker that won't tip. One thing that's fun is to setup a long line of things that he can hold onto to reach things of interest through cruising. E.g.: place a few chairs in a line leading to his favourite toy! His face will light up when he sees he's reached it (by cruising there) all on his own!!

Did my dd ever squawk when it was 'tummy time'. Come to think of it, she didn't crawl all that much either!

You did say something very important: "If he is at his activity table, he will stand on his own. He also walks while holding our fingers."
This indicates, to me, that his legs are functioning. I would call his pedi, but would expect an answer that tells you all is well. Some kids are just like that.

My dd is fine. Jumps, runs, swims. Actually, there is no stopping her!

Crawling doesn't have a clear cut definition. They consider any form of getting from point a to point b, crawling. Some kids never crawl and where yours is already walking with assistance, I wouldn't be worried about it. You can ask your pedi, but chances are they will say the same thing. It would be something to worry about if he had no way of getting around, but obviously he does, even if its rolling.

Some babies will not crawl. As long as there isn't something wrong with his legs, then just let him get to where he wants to be by doing his own thing. If he can stand then let him stand. He may skip crawling all together and just start walking. Two of my nephews did this. If he is interested in getting somewhere and mobil and wanting things then he should be fine. Don't worry!! :)

don't force him on his belly if he doesn't like it, or give him a small amount of time each day to get him used to the position. My baby also does not like her belly. I let her sit down with her toys on the carpet and she "leans over" and often land on all fours trying to get her toys. This is actually one of the best positions to start crawling. Sit him down and put some of his toys just out of reach to encourage him to lean forward. Get down on the floor and play with him as well. Also check out http://askdrsears.com they also talk about different ideas for crawling. Good luck!

C., So babies never crawl. Some scooch...he may just go from sitting, to standing and then to walking. I wouldn't worry. I have read that crawling is not a milestone for all children. He sounds adorable. Enjoy him.

S.

My son LOVED his walker...I know pediatrician say no to them because of falls down steps, but we have 1 floor and it worked for us!

You are definitely comparing your child to others his age. Don't. He is fine. My daughter would not crawl either. She slid on her behind and got around that way until she walked. They all do their own thing, their own way. There is nothing wrong with that. Eventually they walk and then run!!! Just enjoy who he is for his uniqueness.

C.,

My son is the same way. He will be 11 months on 5/7 and is not officially crawling yet either. I've heard some kids just don't crawl when they find other ways to get around. I'm a little concerned too but I know he'll crawl soon. He tries pretty hard and he likes to walk holding our hands. Maybe they'll go straight to walking!

T.

I have a good friend who's son never crawled. He rolled to get where he wanted and then was just walking. He is a very smart little boy and has been ahead of the game on everything. I would talk with your Dr to reassure yourself but all children do things differently. My son walked at 8 1/2 months. I almost stopped bringing him to a play group because the other Mom's kept thinking there was something wrong with their child because they weren't walking and their child was older than mine. There is no "normal" just guide lines.

Hi,
I wouldn't be worried about that. If he is 11 months it sounds like he skipped crawling. My son never crawled - he went from laying around to "coasting" to walking. If your son is pulling himself up and he can walk holding hands that is typical for his age. If you have real concerns I would certainly talk to the pediatrician about it, but like I said my son skipped crawling all together. He started walking at 12 months. He is now 5 and totally healthy. My daughter crawled, but very briefly. She too is walking and is healthy.

C.,

Don't worry too much about your baby not crawling. Every baby is different. Many babies never learn to crawl and some don't crawl until after they walk. If he can roll to get around, he might not feel crawling is necessary. And since he is already standing up, he might walk before crawling. If you are really concerned, give your dr. a call to reassure you that everything is okay. Otherwise, just enjoy your little one. I'm sure he'll be running around in no time!

personally i wouldnt worry. My daughter never crawled went right to walking at 11 months. I will say that she head a few open heart surgeries and hated tummy time. But there have been plenty kids who did and crawled. I think somethimes kids just want to walk and just want nothing to do with crawling. Bringit up to the doc to make sure he doesnt have any other motor issues. But i think some kids just skip crawling.

I've heard some babies never crawl and go right to walking. I wouldn't worry too much about it as long as he seems to be progressing in other areas. It's a whole new world when they're crawling!! Into everything. :) Happy almost 1 year birthday to your little one. My twins will be 1 on 4/11. :)

MY son Never crawled and still does not he is just about 14 months old and he started walking at a little over 11 months old. He liked to be on his tummy but never wanted to get up on his knee's I asked my Dr about this and he said now adays alot of babies never crawl He has a hard time even now getting him self up off the ground if he falls because he does not get up on his hands and knee's my dr said this is normal in babies that dont crawl first most times they wont crawl till they are older and want to get through tunnels and stuff like that... But he said it was nothing to worrry about.

B.

30 year ld first time mommy of almost 14 month old Evan

crawling isn't considered a milestone because many kids don't do it. My oldest never ever crawled but my youngest was crawled for a long time. Get him a well made push toy and he will be walking in no time we got the one that turns into a ride on toy so he got double use out of it.

C.,

My daughter didn't crawl until she was 11-1/2 months. But she wasn't really pulling up before she did crawl. When she walked holding onto our hands all her weight was in her hands leaning forward. Now that she crawls and cruses around when she walks holding onto our hands she is a lot more vertical and doesn't lean on our hands too much.

I had my daughter evaluated by Early Intervention when she was 10-1/2 months old and no surprise she was behind in her gross motor skills. She now receives services for this. The do a complete test of the child. They also pointed out that my daughter was behind in her eating. At the time she still prefered puree's. This is also gross motor as it talking. My daughter isn't really behind in talking but she isn't a parrot like most kids but she does talk so we just keep woring with her.

I think if you talk to your doctor they might suggest getting him tested. I can already tell you that they will determine that he is behind in that area. But weather or not he is behind enough to receive service that they will have to tell you. It doesn' hurt to get him tested.

My daughter didn't really fight the tummy time she just pushed with her hands and went backwards. So it is a little different. But maybe try working with your son where you put him on his tummy and get his knees under him like he would have them to crawl and try helping him to keep his knees up and crawl. You might need help to do this but maybe if he gets the idea of getting his knees under him and how to move one hand, one knee, other hand, other knee that he might realize he can move this way. It's worth a try at least.

Good luck,
L. M

lots of babies never crawl they go straight to walking.
that being said my son only rolled around the house for a long time! he did eventually crawl before walking - i say whatever mode of transportation/mobility wortks for them is fine. does he have a walker toy - radio flyer makes a great wagon they can walk behind that does not get going too fast and makes the learning to walk fun.
have fun! once he is walking it gets even better!

Oddly enough, my (now 4.5) daughter walked before she crawled. She was pulling herself up on furniture at 9 mos and was walking short distances on her own at 11 mos. She actually started crawling after she walked! I think she realized it was quicker to drop to her knees and crawl sometimes, than walk.
I don't think it's a worrisome sign at this point. Some kids just skip the crawling all together. I would say that as long as he is showing an interest in moving from place to place on his own, and walking with your assistance, he's doing fine. It sounds like he is doing these things.
I think I would bring this up at his 12 month check up, or try to schedule that check a couple of weeks before his birthday. This way you can get your pediatrician's opinion.
-S.

My daughter didn't like tummy time AT ALL and didn't crawl until 10 months and didn't start even cruising (any standing) until she was 12 months... I wouldn't worry too much. I have been told that some babies just go right to walking... since he is standing and walking with your help, he clearly is working on getting around.