Encouraging your baby to crawl

Although crawling is an important milestone for your baby to reach, some babies never crawl and skip straight to walking.

Crawling is an optional skill and your baby’s overall development will not be halted if she doesn't do it. Most babies will crawl at some point, from about nine months onwards, but babies who never crawl often end up proficient early walkers. 

There are many benefits to crawling. It helps improve your baby’s vital motor skills, visual and physical ability and strengthens her limbs and upper body.
There are many different crawling styles, from legs being caught underneath or dragged along behind, creeping, going backwards or sideways or half-crawling, half-walking.

You can encourage your baby to crawl by letting her have plenty of supervised time roaming free on a safe, flat surface like a carpeted floor. If she spends too much time in a pushchair, sling or cot, she won’t get the chance to practise using the muscles and limbs used for crawling.

Top tips to encourage crawling

• Give your baby plenty of supervised tummy-time and room for her to work out how to crawl.

• Encourage her to move forward by lying her on her tummy and placing a favourite toy just out of reach but in her eyesight.

• Lie your baby on her front with her feet up against something hard like the wall. She will probably straighten her legs which will propel her forward, which can help to teach her the motions for crawling.

• Lie your baby on the carpet and gently hold her by the elbows so that she gets used to being supported in that way.

• Lie her on her tummy on the floor and put your face down next to her. Sing and play with her, maintaining eye contact and making sure your head is at her level. That way she will realise that the world can be just as exciting on her tummy, and she can see just as much as if she was on her back or sitting.

Remember to make sure your house is crawling-baby friendly!

• Either carpet all your floors or make sure wooden floors have no splinters or uneven floorboards.

• Fit covers over electric sockets so little fingers can’t explore.

• Put protectors over sharp corners.

• Remove small objects from where she is crawling, including pens, pen tops and coins.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.