As each day passes, you will notice how your baby grows, learns, and becomes more independent. So, it is natural to wonder when your baby will start crawling. In fact, there is no specific age to start crawling, or even to attempt this movement. However, it is helpful to know how to encourage your baby’s progress and teach him to crawl. Watching your baby and helping him master this new skill is one of the most beautiful moments of parenthood that you will experience during his first year, and the moment your baby takes his first steps will be an unforgettable memory. Continue reading Dalili Medical to learn about the signs that indicate your baby is ready to crawl, the age at which babies usually start crawling, the different crawling patterns, and what you can do if your baby does not start crawling as expected.

**When do babies start rolling?**

 

Babies can roll from tummy to back and back to tummy between 6 and 8 months.

**When do babies start crawling?**

 

Babies usually start crawling between 6 and 10 months. It is normal for some babies to skip crawling, so there is no need to worry if your baby is moving on both sides together without any noticeable weakness on either side. Early crawling is considered normal.

**Can a baby crawl at 4 months?**

 

Yes, a baby can start crawling from the fourth month, which is the expected time for a baby to start leaning on his hands and knees to reach a certain goal.

**When does a baby crawl on his back?**

 

Most babies learn to crawl on their backs between the seventh and tenth months, which is the same time frame that a baby starts crawling.

When do babies start sitting?

 

Babies should be able to sit without support by the age of 6 months. However, there is no need to worry if your baby is not yet able to do so, as babies can achieve milestones at different ages.

When do babies start holding objects?

 

Your baby should be able to hold and shake a rattle by 4 months of age, and should be able to grasp and transfer objects from one hand to the other, as well as hold objects using all fingers except the thumb by 6 to 8 months.

What should I do if my child is not crawling?

 

It is not necessary for babies to crawl, and some may start walking directly without crawling, either on their own or by holding onto furniture. Therefore, crawling should not be the only measure of your child’s development. However, if your child reaches the age of one and does not show any ability to use his hands or feet in a coordinated manner, or is unable to combine his movements between them, it is best to consult his doctor during routine health visits.

**The difference between crawling and crawling**

1. Crawling ** Crawling is the movement of a child on his stomach, and the beginning of crawling indicates the development of the upper part of the child’s body and the acquisition of the necessary strength to pull his body forward. It also indicates the development of the nervous system, which reflects the child's acquisition of several skills, including:

- Motor skills: which include the child's ability to support his body weight and maintain his balance.

- Vision skills: which reflect the child's ability to see his goal and focus on it.

- Cognitive skills: which is the child's ability to draw a map to reach his goal.

2. **Crawling** Crawling represents the next stage in the child's development, as he begins to move on his hands and knees. This is considered a sign of the growth and development of the child's legs and arms, in addition to improving the strength of his shoulders and back. This stage enhances the child's ability to control his balance during movement.

**Types of crawling in children:**

1. **Crawling bears**     In this type, the child extends his legs to crawl on them instead of using his knees.

2. **Soldier**     This type is called "soldier" because the child crawls on his stomach towards things, making him look like a soldier moving on the ground during battle.

3. **Classic**     This is the most common type among children, where the child uses his knees and hands to crawl.

4. **Lateral movement**    In this type, the child crawls right, left or backwards, preventing him from moving forward.

5. **Rolling**    Some children use the rolling method to reach the things they want or to move from one place to another. It is important to know that all of these methods represent natural attempts to crawl, and they are safe and do not cause concern.

**Jumping like a frog:**  In this method, the child uses his hands and knees and moves by pushing himself forward.

**Tripod crawl:**   As the name suggests, this type depends on the child using his hands and one foot only, as he moves his hands and one knee

How can my child learn to crawl?

 

At first, the baby needs to be able to sit upright on his own, and this usually happens around the eighth month of his life, when his body muscles have developed enough to allow him to sit.

His muscle strength helps him lift his head thanks to the neck muscles, in addition to the back muscles that support him to sit upright. When the baby feels confident enough, he starts trying to move.

During the next two months of sitting, and as the baby's self-confidence increases, he starts trying to lift his body on his hands and knees, making his back parallel to the ground. After that, he starts testing the movement of his limbs to start crawling forward.

Your baby reaches the crawling stage when he can move his right hand with his left leg and vice versa. At that point, you can expect that he will be a big challenge for you to catch up with him!

**How ​​can I motivate my son and help him crawl?**

 

There are some steps that can help your baby develop crawling skills, but you should realize that no matter how much you try to speed up this process, you will not be able to make a big difference.

Here are some tips that may help speed up your baby's crawling:

1. **Tummy position:**   From the beginning, before your baby reaches the crawling stage, get him used to lying on his stomach and playing with him for a short period. This practice for a few minutes several times a day stimulates babies to crawl, as it activates the muscles of his back, hands and feet, which helps strengthen them. It also protects him from getting injuredPlagiocephaly, which can occur as a result of staying on your back for long periods of time.

2. **Increasing stimuli:**   Your child’s curiosity encourages him to overcome his fear of falling, which prompts him to explore the toys and things around him. So, make sure to provide more stimuli and keep a distance between him and them.

3. **Providing a safe environment:**   Make your child’s attempts happen in a safe environment, to ensure his safety and avoid him feeling afraid of trying. It is normal for his first attempts to fail and for him to fall, so it is important for him to feel safe while exploring.

4. **Avoid wearing shoes for him**  Children do not need to wear shoes during the crawling stage, but your child should only wear shoes when he starts walking steadily. Some types of shoes may lead to bow legs, and your child will feel more stable without them.

5. **Stay away from transferring negative energy and anxiety to him** If your child does not respond or is unable to crawl, do not pressure him or feel anxious. Pressure may make him feel bad, and do not compare him to other children, as he may not need to crawl and may start walking suddenly.

When do babies start crawling?

 

Babies usually start crawling between 6 and 10 months, with most crawling at 8 months. However, each child develops at his own pace, so some may start crawling earlier or later than this range. Here are some basic points about when babies start crawling:

- Most babies start crawling between 6 and 10 months.

- Some babies may start crawling as early as 4 months, while others may be delayed until after 12 months.

- Crawling is an important stage in a child’s development, as it allows him to explore his surroundings and achieve independence.

**Signs that a child is ready to crawl**

There are several signs that indicate that a child is ready to start crawling:

1. **Pushing on hands and knees**: If a child pushes himself on his hands and knees, this indicates that he is gaining the strength and coordination necessary to crawl.

2. **Swaying back and forth**: Children may swing on their hands and knees before they actually start crawling, which helps them strengthen their muscles and coordinate their movement.

3. **Reaching for toys**: As children become more mobile, they begin to reach toys that are far away from them, which motivates them to move forward.

4. **Interest in exploration**: Children who are ready to crawl often show a strong desire to explore their surroundings, and they may feel frustrated if they cannot reach what they want.

Remember that each child develops at his own pace, and it is important not to compare your child's progress to the progress of others. If you have any concerns about your child's development, it is best to consult a pediatrician.

**Simple Ways to Encourage Your Baby to Crawl Quickly**

 

Crawling is an exciting and important stage in your baby’s development. It’s not just about mobility, it’s a vital step towards independence and discovery. While some babies start crawling naturally, others may need a little extra encouragement and support.

**Tummy Time** Start by giving your baby time to lie on their tummy; this helps strengthen their neck and upper body muscles, which are essential for crawling. Start with short sessions and gradually increase the length of time until your baby feels comfortable.

**Create a Crawling Environment** Set up a safe, clutter-free space for your baby to crawl in. Make sure to remove obstacles, sharp objects, and any items that could pose a danger.

**Exciting Toys** Place interesting toys out of your baby’s reach to encourage them to move towards them. Toys that make noise or are brightly colored are especially appealing.

**Mirror Game** Babies enjoy watching their reflections. You can place a safe mirror on the floor to encourage them to crawl towards their image.

**Encourage Rolling** Help your baby strengthen their core muscles by encouraging them to roll. You can gently guide them from side to side as they play.

**Knee Pads** If your baby is reluctant to crawl because of discomfort on hard surfaces, you might consider using knee pads or letting them crawl on a soft mat or rug.

**Baby Playground** Invest in a baby playroom with hanging toys that your baby can reach while lying on their tummy. This will help encourage them to move and explore.

**Crawling Together** Sit on the floor with your baby and crawl alongside them. Seeing you do this can be a great motivator.

**Encourage Standing** Encourage your baby to use a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a coffee table or crib, to pull themselves up to a standing position. This will help strengthen their leg muscles.

**Crawling Lessons** Consider enrolling your baby in crawling classes or playgroups, where they can interact with other children and be stimulated by peer activity.

**Positive Encouragement** Use kind, encouraging words to support your child’s crawling attempts. Positive reinforcement can boost their self-confidence.

**Be Patient** Remember that every child grows and develops at their own pace. Some children may take longer to crawl than others, and this is completely normal. Be patient and supportive during this exciting journey.

When do babies start crawling and crawling?

 

Now that you know the difference between crawling and crawling, here’s some information about when these two stages begin in babies:

. **The Beginning of Crawling in Babies** Babies usually start crawling and rolling between 6 and 8 months, depending on their body’s development and growth. There are a variety of ways that a baby can crawl, including:

- **Commando Crawl**: The baby moves forward on his stomach, with his stomach and legs on the ground, and uses his arms to pull himself up.

- **Down Crawl**: The baby moves forward while relying on his legs and stomach to pull himself up.

- **Classic crawling**: The baby stays on his stomach on the floor, and pushes his knees and one arm forward alternately.

- **Rolling**: This is a rocking movement of the baby back and forth to reachy his goal.

- **Tripod crawl**: The child pushes himself forward using only his arms and one knee.

- **Bear crawl**: The child moves steadily with his stomach on the ground, and raises his back up using his hands and legs.

- **Jumping crawl**: The child moves using his hands and legs together in a jump-like manner.

- **Crab crawl**: The child moves using his arms and legs, but in backward or sideways directions instead of forward.

**. The beginning of the crawling stage in children** The crawling stage in children begins between 8 and 10 months, and this stage is considered a sign of the child's development from the cognitive and physical aspects. At this stage, the child becomes able to crawl and crawl faster and more comfortably, and begins to adopt the bear walking movement, where he moves on his hands and knees while moving from one place to another.

**The importance of crawling and crawling in child development**

After learning the difference between crawling and crawling, here is the importance of these two stages in child development, which include the following:

1. **The importance of crawling for the child** The crawling stage is necessary for the following reasons:

- It helps the child coordinate the movements of his body and limbs to start crawling.

- It strengthens the various parts of the child's body such as the arms, legs, hands and feet, which enables him to use them effectively during movement.

- It enhances the child's awareness of the two sides of his body, and teaches him how to coordinate between them and achieve balance during movement.

- It stimulates the flow of nerve messages to the brain through touch and the variety of movement positions.

- It contributes to developing the child's understanding of space and time.

- It enhances his visual skills.

**2. The importance of crawling for the child** The crawling stage is a vital stage for several reasons:

- Crawling enhances the growth of the child's muscles through the use of the hands and knees, which contributes to the development of fine motor skills such as writing and using tools in the future.

- Crawling helps the child coordinate his movements between his sides and achieve a fine balance, which enhances his abilities in mathematics and writing later.

- Crawling contributes to the development and improvement of the child's vision, as he focuses on his knees and coordinates their movement with his body to reach distant objects, which enhances his concentration skills during the school stages.

- Crawling enhances motor skills and coordination, which improves the child's ability to learn in the future.

Effective ways to encourage crawling in children:

• **Put toys away**: Put toys, rattles or any interesting objects out of the child's reach. This will help motivate them to crawl towards them.

• **Peek-a-boo game**: Hide behind furniture and then come out when the child starts crawling to look for you. You can make sounds or sing to make them more excited to crawl towards you.

• **Use various surfaces**: Crawling on carpet, ceramic floors, marble, or even on grass outdoors can provide different challenges and stimulation. Try changing surfaces from time to time.

• **Create a crawling path**: Arrange pillows, blankets, and soft toys in a path for your baby to crawl through. Make the path fun and challenging, but safe.

• **Play music**: Play their favorite songs to provide an auditory stimulus for crawling. Babies often move to the beat of the music.

• **Follow their interests**: If there is something that catches your baby’s attention, whether it is a toy, person, or a specific activity, try to put it out of their reach to encourage them to crawl towards it.

• **Be encouraging**: Some babies need more time to crawl, so be patient and provide them with opportunities and support. The benefits will appear over time.

**Things to avoid to encourage your baby to crawl**

There are some things to avoid to encourage your baby to crawl, the most important of which are:

1. **Using baby walkers**: These walkers can be dangerous, as they limit the baby’s ability to be on the ground, which may lead to delayed muscle development or impaired movement.

2. **Leaving the child for long periods in strollers and child seats**: Avoid leaving the child for long periods in the seats, as this restricts his movement and prevents him from learning and exploring.

3. **Pressing the child to learn to crawl without any signs to do so**: Pressuring the child to crawl may delay this process instead of accelerating it.