Pre-crawling activities - advice please

[MamandeRose]

DD is nearly 5 months old and already wants to crawl. She used to happily kick on her play mat/baby gym for ages lying on her back, but now tries to roll over immediately I put her on there. (Can't quite roll unaided yet). When on her tummy, she shuffles around to reach toys, but is desperate to crawl, legs pumping frantically. After 5 minutes she gets frustrated/crying. The cloth surface just rucks up when she moves, so impedes her. Was thinking of trying yoga mat with a rubbery surface so she can 'grip' more. Any advice for surfaces to learn on/ different play mats available/other activities to try etc? She also wants to sit up on her own already.

[LeoTheLateBloomer]

Have you tried one of those inflatable ring nest things? It wouldn't help her move but it would contain her and help her to sit with toys in easy reach.

[Paschaelina]

Those foam connecting number or letter mats from tesco are quite useful for a firm padded base. I also second the ring. My Boy surfs his across the kitchen, its funny.

[MrsSnaplegs]

I would second the ring nest idea or a sit in bouncer with toys - we got one from a friend and ds loves it
www.argos.co.uk/m/static/Product/partNumber/9292709/c_1/1|category_root|Nursery|14417537/c_2/2|14417537|Baby+toys|14417556/c_3/3|cat_14417556|Baby+activity+toys|14417559.htm

[MamandeRose]

Thanks for these suggestions. We have a sort of cloth/cushion nest, but it's probably too floppy, so I will get an inflatable one. She already sits in a normal bouncy chair (cloth on a frame), but she needs crawling type activity too. (Yoga mat didn't work as she's obv too small to crawl yet).
MrsSnaplegs, did you use the Argos bouncer earlier than 6 months? I live in Holland and the advice here is not to use things like that sooner.

[Paschaelina]

We used our Jumperoo from just under 4 months old. If they are strong enough to hold their head up with full control then it's fine.

[MamandeRose]

Oh, thanks Paschaelina, that's very helpful.

[MrsSnaplegs]

We did but Ds is a very well built young man (chubby) and has had head control for a while

[MamandeRose]

Thank you MrsS, good to have that advice. Anyone have early crawling stories? When do they usually start?

[pozzled]

Your DD sounds like my DD1, she was desperate to be on the move. She started 'crawling' at a week under 6 months. She wasn't quite strong enough to get up on her hands and knees,so she pulled herself around with one arm and kicked with her legs at first. It was slow but it worked!

I would just keep giving your DD tummy time on a nice firm surface, and maybe encourage her by putting toys a little distance away so she has to stretch for them. Oh and also think about what she's got on her feet, either bare feet or socks/booties with a grip on the bottom will help.

[MamandeRose]

Thank you pozzled, that's great. I guess I just have to keep giving her a few minutes tummy time at a time, until she's fed up, and hope that works :)