Babies are amazing, they’re adorable when they blow raspberries and they’re too cute when they laugh at Peek-a-boo! It’s life-changing when they say their first word. But babies also go through very important milestones, like teething, rolling over and crawling! Is your question, when do babies start crawling? Because if it is, you’ve come to the right place!
Your Baby’s Growth
Babies are constantly growing, it’s never-ending and it’s super exciting! You get to experience your baby grow before your eyes. From the first solid food they taste, to grabbing a toy and crawling at light speed! The more you encourage your baby, the more developmental milestones they could achieve. And one thing that’s always on a parent’s mind, is when will their baby start crawling?
If they’ve already started to roll over during tummy time, then it’s sooner than you think! And for other babies, they can actually start walking before they start crawling – how wonderful! The many joys of parenting are getting to see your baby achieve anything. Big or small.
When Do Babies Start Crawling?
Typically, babies start crawling between 7 – 10 months old. But, every baby is different and some can start earlier than most, or later. And sometimes, some babies don’t carry out the classic crawl, they simply shuffle on their bum!
When your baby has developed strong neck muscles, has some form of muscle control and can already sit in an upright position, crawling may be soon on the horizon! But, try not to worry if it hasn’t happened yet. And the worst thing is to compare your baby with another – remember every baby is unique! Although, if you are concerned about whether your baby is on the right developmental track, speak to your health visitor to gain some clarity.
How Can I Help My Baby Start Crawling?
There are a few ways in which you can encourage and support your baby in trying. to crawl. As mentioned before, they will need to strengthen their muscles in order. to crawl, and their fine motor skills too.
A good way to encourage your baby is plenty of tummy time! If they’re comfortable and happy on their belly, they’ll find it easier to progress to crawling. They also need to be able to push themselves up on all fours (like mini push-ups) and support on their hands and knees, so some upper body strength is important!
If they’re loving tummy time and like to grab things, place their favourite toys away from them and see if they crawl towards them. Using something they love to hold or play with will encourage them to reach out and grab it – which can definitely lead to crawling in a matter of time!
Just make sure there are safe objects around and always keep an eye out on your baby.
Did you know there are different types of crawling?
Who knew there were more than one type of crawling? So, your baby can develop any of these crawling types and progress to all of them in the end! Here’s a list:
- Classic crawling – the one we all know! It’s when the baby crawls on their hands and knees, moving them simultaneously.
- Bottom shuffle – this is when they shuffle forwards on their bum and they may use their arms to help them move forward.
- Commando crawl (belly crawl) – here they use their elbows to push forwards, keeping their belly on the floor.
- Sideways shuffle – your baby could try this, where they shuffle sideways on their bottom with their leg or arm helping them along the way.
So, if your baby isn’t showing signs of a normal crawl, check to see if they’re doing any of these! They’re all still classed as crawling!
How To Keep Your Baby Safe When Crawling
If your baby has now started to crawl, it’s time to make sure their surroundings are safe for them! You can ensure this in a few ways:
- Baby proofing any areas that are potentially dangerous for them. Like sharp corners, pointy furniture, hard or items that slam (like kitchen cupboards)
- Use plug socket covers to cover electrical outlets, so if your baby decides to touch them, they won’t be able to.
- It’s time to attach baby gates to your staircases and doorways! Maybe the doorway to the kitchen? It keeps them out of areas that are unsafe for their excitable crawling expeditions.
- Secure loose furniture out of harm’s way (maybe plant pots that are on tables) in case they bump into it or decide it’s time for a standing position adventure!
Things To Remember…
If your baby is 7-10 months old and isn’t crawling yet. Try not to worry, because babies will do things in their own time and that includes reaching physical milestones. Every baby is unique and will get there eventually.
But if you are worried, it’s best to seek help from a medical professional.
Most of all, always keep an eye on your baby, encourage and support them and they’ll end up surprising you. The first year especially, is a special time for parents and their baby, because they’re reaching a wide range of milestones at once.
So, now you know the steps to take to encourage your baby, wait and see all the new things your baby will achieve in their first year. Treasure these memories and document your baby developments!
Wondering when your baby will start rolling over? Or maybe you’re still looking for baby names? We’ve got a fabulous list of unique names, cool and even celebrity baby names to choose from!