Crawling begins an exciting phase in your baby’s development. Independent mobility opens up a new world of exploration and learning! But when do babies start crawling? And what are some signs that your little one is close to reaching this milestone?
We created this guide to help answer those questions and more.
From a basic timeline of the skills needed to crawl to tips on supporting and encouraging your little one’s development, you’ll find everything you need to know about how and when babies start crawling.
Table of contents
When do babies start crawling?
Let’s start by answering the burning question: when do babies start crawling?
The answer can vary greatly from baby to baby, as everyone develops at their own pace. Typically, babies start crawling between seven and 10 months of age. However, some babies are early crawlers, and others don’t start until their first birthday or later.
Do all babies crawl?
As of 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the development milestones for babies and toddlers. This update removed crawling as a milestone because it’s “highly variable and not essential for development.”
In other words, not all babies learn how to crawl. Some go straight from rolling to pulling up and walking. If your baby doesn’t crawl, don't worry; if they’re still meeting other physical milestones, they’re likely developing just fine.
Timeline to crawling
If your baby is going to crawl, it won’t be a skill they develop overnight. First, they must master other physical skills to coordinate their movements, support their body weight, and propel themselves forward.
Here’s a general timeline of when you can expect your baby to develop each skill.
Head control
Before your baby explores the house on their hands and knees, they must develop head control. When lying on their belly, they should be able to hold their head up and look around. Typically, this happens during your baby’s second month.
They’ll continue to gain strength and control for the next few months. By four months, your baby should be able to support their head when you’re holding them.
Rolling over
Between four and six months, your baby will learn how to roll over from their back to their belly. At first, it might happen accidentally when they’re reaching for a toy. But by six months, they’ll be able to control their movement better and purposefully roll from one side to the other.
This is an important precursor to crawling because your baby is learning to shift their weight and use their arms and legs for support.
Sitting independently
Sitting up takes a lot of strength, balance, and coordination — three things required for crawling. Once your baby learns how to get into a sitting position on their own and stay there, they’re getting closer to crawling.
The CDC lists this as a physical milestone in their nine-month milestone checklist. Most babies will be sitting on their own by then.
Bearing weight on their limbs
When you crawl, you support your weight on your arms and legs. This requires a lot of strength, which your baby can develop through tummy time and assisted standing. The more they move their limbs, the stronger they’ll become!
Babies first learn to bear weight on their arms. By about three months, they’ll be pushing up on their forearms. When they’re four or five months old, they may start to straighten their arms and lift more of their weight with their arms.
Their legs also develop during this time. Between four to seven months, your little one will be able to bear their weight on their legs when held in a standing position. They may even bounce a little.
Rocking on all fours
The final step before crawling is rocking back and forth on all fours. This motion helps your baby develop the coordination they need to propel themselves forward.
Around six or seven months, you might notice your baby attempting to rock on their hands and knees. At first, they may flop forward or backward, but with practice, they’ll learn to balance and rock smoothly.
This skill may take a few weeks or even months to master, but once they’ve got it, they’ll likely start crawling soon.
Tips to help your baby start crawling
1) Be consistent with tummy time
Tummy time helps your baby develop many skills, including the ones they need to help them crawl. Encourage your little one to spend at least twenty minutes a day on their tummy. As they get stronger, you can gradually increase the time.
The short video below shows a baby having tummy time in the Newton Travel Crib & Play Yard.
The little one is holding their head up and looking around while moving their arms and legs. They’re in a safe, comfortable environment where they can use their muscles and practice moving.
2) Embrace different styles of crawling.
When you hear the word crawling, what do you think of? Likely, a baby on their hands and knees comes to mind. But that’s not the only way to crawl.
Here are some other forms of movement your little one might use:
Commando-style
This type of crawling is also known as “army crawling.” It happens when your baby uses their arms to pull themselves along the floor while keeping their belly in contact with the ground.
Bum-shuffling
Some babies sit on the floor and use a leg to push themselves forward. It’s not exactly crawling, but this movement helps build important muscles to prepare your baby for walking.
Backwards crawl
Believe it or not, some babies start by crawling backward! It might look funny, but it’s a great way for them to build coordination and strength.
Bear crawl
If your baby keeps their legs straight while crawling and bears their weight on their feet instead of their knees, they’re doing a “bear crawl.” This type of crawling requires a lot of balance and upper body strength.
Rolling crawl
For some babies, rolling is their preferred way to get from one place to another. They roll over and over again until they get to where they want to go.
While this movement might make them dizzy, it’s a great way for them to explore their surroundings and work on their coordination.
3) Create a baby-friendly obstacle course.
Give your baby something fun to explore by creating a baby-friendly obstacle course. Use pillows, blankets, couch cushions, and toys to create an area for your little one to crawl through or over.
4) Spend time on the floor together.
Let your baby see you crawl. Get down on the ground with them and show them how it’s done. Crawl after toys, over a pillow, or under the table. You’re sure to get your baby giggling with your unexpected movements!
5) Watch for concerning signs.
While not all babies crawl, it’s important to monitor your little one’s overall progress. If you notice either of these concerning signs, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about your baby’s development:
Only using one side of their body
If your baby consistently favors one side of their body while trying to move, it could indicate an underlying problem.
Missing other physical milestones
Crawling is one indicator of your baby’s gross motor development, but it’s not the only one. Keep an eye on the developmental milestones for your baby’s age and discuss any concerns with your pediatrician.
6) Supervise your baby.
Once your baby becomes mobile, safety becomes a priority. Make sure your baby is in a safe environment, away from potential hazards. If you haven’t yet baby-proofed your house, now is the time to do so.
7) Make crawling fun.
Adding a few toys and a little music can make crawling a fun and stimulating experience for your baby. Try placing toys out of reach to encourage your little one to move toward them.
8) Ensure your baby sleeps well.
Tired babies may not have the energy or motivation to crawl, so it’s essential to establish a consistent bedtime routine and ensure your baby gets enough sleep.
Set up their nursery to support sleep. A mattress from Newton is made with breathable materials, keeping your baby comfortable and safe while they sleep!
Mobility, here we come!
Now you know the answer to the question, “When do babies start crawling?” and have some tips to help your baby get ready for more excitement. Once your little one becomes mobile, you’ll likely find yourself chasing your energetic explorer all around the house!
Enjoy this new stage of their development, and remember that Newton is here for you every step of the way. Our baby products meet the highest standards in safety, design, and innovation to give you peace of mind as your baby grows and learns.
