When Do Babies Crawl? Everything You Need to Know

Watching your baby learn to crawl is one of the most exciting milestones of the first year. Suddenly, your baby can get where they want to go, and their world expands dramatically. But crawling looks different for every baby, and the timing varies widely. Here's everything you need to know about this important developmental milestone.

When Do Babies Typically Start Crawling? AAP

Most babies learn to crawl between 6 and 10 months of age, with the average being around 7-9 months. However, there's a wide range of normal:

Early crawlers (6-7 months): Some babies figure out how to move early, especially if they've had lots of tummy time and floor play. These early movers may have been rolling, pivoting, and scooting before they started crawling.

Average crawlers (7-9 months): Most babies start crawling somewhere in this range. They've developed enough core strength, coordination, and motivation to get moving.

Later crawlers (9-10+ months): Some babies don't crawl until closer to their first birthday—and this can be completely normal. Some babies are so focused on other skills (like language or fine motor development) that gross motor skills develop a bit later.

Some babies skip crawling entirely: It's important to know that not all babies crawl in the traditional way. Some babies scoot on their bottoms, roll to get places, or go straight from sitting to cruising and walking. While crawling is beneficial for development, babies who skip it and meet other motor milestones on time typically develop normally.

What Needs to Happen Before Baby Can Crawl CDC

Crawling requires several developmental achievements to come together:

Strong core muscles: Before your baby can hold themselves up on hands and knees, they need strong abdominal and back muscles. This strength develops through tummy time, rolling, and supported sitting.

Upper body strength: Your baby needs strong arms, shoulders, and neck muscles to support their weight and propel themselves forward. This also develops through tummy time and play.

Hip and leg strength: Pushing off with their legs requires hip and leg strength that develops gradually through kicking, pushing against surfaces, and supported standing.

Coordination between sides: Crawling requires coordinating opposite arms and legs—right arm with left leg, left arm with right leg. This cross-body coordination involves both sides of the brain working together.

Motivation to move: Perhaps most importantly, your baby needs to want to move! They need to see something interesting just out of reach and be determined to get to it.

Different Crawling Styles AAP

Babies are creative, and they find many different ways to move around. All of these styles are normal:

Classic hands-and-knees crawl: The "standard" crawl where baby is on hands and knees, moving opposite arm and leg together. This style develops cross-body coordination effectively.

Army crawl (commando crawl): Baby pulls themselves along on their belly using their arms, with legs dragging behind. Many babies start with this style before progressing to hands-and-knees crawling.

Bear crawl: Baby crawls on hands and feet (instead of knees), with their bottom up in the air. This style requires more strength but is perfectly normal.

Bottom scoot: Some babies sit upright and use their hands and feet to scoot along on their bottoms. While it looks different, it's an effective way to get around.

Crab crawl: Baby pushes themselves backward or sideways with their hands, rather than forward. Some babies start this way before figuring out forward movement.

Asymmetrical crawl: Baby might have one knee and one foot on the ground, or move one side differently than the other. As long as they're making progress and it evens out over time, it's usually fine.

Rolling: Some babies become so efficient at rolling that they use it as their primary means of locomotion. This works too!

The Benefits of Crawling CDC

Crawling provides important developmental benefits, which is why pediatricians encourage it when possible:

Cross-body coordination: The cross-lateral movement of crawling—opposite arm and leg working together—helps integrate the two hemispheres of the brain. This coordination supports later skills like reading, writing, and sports.

Vision development: Crawling requires babies to look near and far alternately, developing eye coordination and depth perception. Looking at their hands and then across the room exercises the visual system.

Core and upper body strength: The physical demands of crawling build strength in the arms, shoulders, core, and back—strength that's important for later physical activities.

Spatial awareness: As babies crawl around obstacles, over surfaces, and through spaces, they develop understanding of their body in space. This spatial awareness is foundational for later learning.

Independence and confidence: Being able to get where they want to go gives babies a sense of independence and accomplishment. This confidence supports healthy emotional development.

Sensory integration: Crawling on different surfaces, around obstacles, and through various environments provides rich sensory experiences that support brain development.

How to Encourage Crawling AAP

While you can't force your baby to crawl, you can create conditions that support crawling development:

Prioritize tummy time: Tummy time from early infancy builds the strength needed for crawling. Continue regular floor play even after your baby can sit.

Give plenty of floor time: Babies who spend most of their time in containers (swings, bouncers, exersaucers, car seats) have fewer opportunities to practice movement. Regular floor time is essential.

Create motivation: Place interesting toys just out of reach so your baby has a reason to move. Be their "spotter" but let them work for it.

Get down on their level: Being on the floor with your baby provides motivation (they want to come to you!) and lets you model movement.

Minimize container time: Use baby equipment in moderation. Babies need lots of free movement on the floor to develop motor skills.

Dress for movement: Loose, comfortable clothes that allow movement are better than stiff or restrictive outfits. Bare feet provide better traction and feedback than shoes or slippery socks.

Create safe exploration spaces: Baby-proof an area where your baby can move freely without constant "no's" or being picked up.

What If My Baby Isn't Crawling Yet? CDC

If your baby isn't crawling by 9-10 months, don't panic—but do consider these factors:

Are they meeting other milestones? If your baby is sitting well, showing interest in moving, and developing normally in other areas, they may just be on their own timeline.

Are they getting enough floor time? Babies who spend too much time in containers may have fewer opportunities to develop crawling skills.

Are they motivated to move? Some babies are so content wherever they are that they don't develop the drive to crawl. Creating motivating situations can help.

Do they have another way of getting around? Babies who scoot, roll, or have figured out other ways to move may be less motivated to crawl.

Are there any physical concerns? Talk to your pediatrician if your baby seems to have difficulty with core strength, asymmetry in movement, or significant muscle tightness.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician AAP

While there's a wide range of normal for crawling, discuss with your doctor if:

• Your baby isn't moving at all by 9 months (no rolling, scooting, or attempts to crawl)
• Your baby can't bear weight on their legs when held in a standing position
• Your baby seems to favor one side of their body significantly
• Your baby was meeting milestones but seems to have lost skills
• Your baby has very stiff or very floppy muscles
• You have any gut feeling that something isn't right

Trust your instincts—you know your baby best.

Safety Once Baby Is Crawling CDC

Once your baby is mobile, home safety becomes even more critical:

Baby-proof thoroughly: Get down on the floor and look at your home from your baby's perspective. Secure furniture, cover outlets, block stairs, remove choking hazards, and lock cabinets with dangerous contents.

Watch for small objects: Your crawling baby will find things you didn't know were there. Regularly check floors for small objects, coins, and other choking hazards.

Secure furniture: Tall furniture should be anchored to the wall to prevent tip-overs as babies pull up.

Gate stairs: Use hardware-mounted gates at the top and bottom of stairs.

Supervise constantly: A mobile baby can get into trouble quickly. Constant supervision is essential.

The Transition from Crawling to Walking AAP

Once your baby is crawling, walking is on the horizon. Here's what to expect:

Pulling to stand: Your baby will start pulling up on furniture, practicing standing.

Cruising: They'll begin walking while holding onto furniture for support.

Standing independently: They'll let go briefly, finding their balance.

First steps: Those exciting first independent steps might come as early as 9 months or as late as 15+ months—all normal!

Crawling may continue: Many babies continue crawling even after they can walk because crawling is faster and more efficient for them!

The Bottom Line

Crawling is an exciting milestone that opens up your baby's world. Remember that there's a wide range of normal for when babies crawl and how they crawl. The most important things are providing lots of floor time, encouraging movement, and creating safe spaces for exploration.

Clara is here to answer questions about your baby's movement and development!