After weeks of doing press ups and getting very cross because he could only go backwards and kept getting stuck in corners my lovely, funny ds finally figured out how to crawl this morning.

I just wanted to share this really because I am so happy but also because I have a feeling that this new found mobility may bring some challenges.

We have already put up a stair gate as we had a feeling it wouldn't be long but to what extent should you baby proof? Obviously I don't want him to hurt himself but is it unreasonable to try to teach him that some things are off limits? At 8 months will he have a clue?

omg i love crawling babies! they are adorable little commandos

i didnt baby proof anything. its easier to teach them. even the cupboards, i didnt put locks on them.

no probs

but yes, they move like lightening - watch you dont trip over him.

I'm so proud

you are in big trouble if you hav'nt grown those eyes in the back of your head yet

yes Superglue him to the floor
He wont have any clue till gone 2 really about danger so socket covers, bleach out of reach etc. Crawl around at baby level and see what looks interesting to fiddle with. decide if its fiddle-able and if not, move it.
Oh, and you'll have less spiders and woodlice cos they eat them

mine started crawling a few days ago aswell! he has been pretty mobile (rolling all over) for a while though but the only thing he seems to like to do is pick up any bits of fluff etc off the floor and shove it in his mouth

oh I've already got those jumpingbeans - while ds hasn't been able to speed crawl he has been a very efficient roller for some time, and would drag himself on his belly to get to where he wanted. He likes to make sure we're paying attention.

what is it with fluff????

So exciting, congrats for your ds but in 6 months (or so) when he is toddling around you will wish you can be transported back for a while to those pre-mobile days

Yep, you'll be having lots of fun soon! My first (daughter) was rather slow at being mobile (8+ months before crawling and 16 months before walking) and we were always anxious for the next milestone. However with second child (son) he's just been at everything from a very young age - walking at 11 months and now at 14 months he's just about running and will climb anything that's put in front of him! He's even attempting things his 2.5yo sister has never done! LOL Don't know if it's just a second child or boys that are so daring! ...of course he's lovely & lots of fun! They grow up soooo fast...I just seem to hardly remember my son being a "baby"!

Do you have pets? If so, hide their food bowls unless you want to see the dark side of baby led weaning.

Hmm. The first time they're not where you left them is an interesting moment in a mum's life!! Good luck!

Oh yes, defintely get the pet items off the floor and out of reach as much as possible .

tbh I'm not sure things get more difficult once crawling starts - you just get a new set of 'challenges' (as with every new phase). At least now he won't be so frustrated about not being able to get where he wants.

IME they learn from experience only - no amount of telling him not to touch is going to work (at any age IME - it's like the 'wet paint' sign - everyone has to touch the paint to still if it is still wet ). Anything that is going to do severe harm went out of the way at our house - the rest we just let them find out for themselves.

Hey Penny, all the 8-9 month old babies on the august 2007 postnatal thread are crawling/almost crawling/walking, join u if you like! it's lovely when they finally manage it, but scary too! We've all been babyproofing (apparently you're sposed to lie on your stomach and turn 360 degrees to check for beads, coins and other edibles - they still manage to find old bits of yesterdays toast under the sofa and scoff them before you can object)

My lo is 9 months and understands "No" but doesn't always listen. I think you need to teach that things are off limits as well as setting physical boundaries by getting stairgates and putting everything dangerous out of reach and out of sight. Be prepared to get a lot of differing advice on the subject though!