When Babies Don't Crawl

Unlike sitting up, crawling is not a must-do milestone. Lots of babies opt not to crawl at all — skipping straight to standing, cruising, and walking. Not only is that normal — it’s a growing trend among tots who don’t spend a lot of time on their tummies. After all, it isn’t easy to practice crawling on your back.

Your baby may not be ready to crawl. It is possible your cutie will end up joining the no-crawl club, but it’s also possible that he’s just not ready to make his move. Lots of tots take their time putting four on the floor.

Babies crawl in all sorts of ways. Techniques vary too, and any free-style counts, not just the classic crawl. Some babies creep, dragging their tummies and legs behind them. Others scoot on their bottoms, and still others move along tripod style, with both hands and one knee pushing their body forward as the other leg comes along for the ride. Your baby might start with one style and progress to another. It’s all legit and it’s all cute. So have your camera ready.

Coach baby to crawl with a toy. Want to coach him to a crawl? Get down on your belly in front of him, put a favorite toy just beyond his reach, and then cheer him on as he goes for his goal. Also make sure your little gymnast gets plenty of supervised floor time. Cooping him up in an ExerSaucer or play yard can keep him from flexing those muscles — whether he’s planning to use them to crawl or to get a head start on two feet.