Not crawling at 14 months - should I worry?

[Cheesenchocolate]

My son is 14 months old and still not crawling (nor walking). He sits, rolls and can propel himself a couple of metres using his arms (not sure if this is what's meant by 'commando style') if he really wants to, but seems to have no inclination to do anything more. If I put him in the middle of the room in a sitting position, not near any toys, he will just stay like that. He is generally fairly laidback and happy so I can't decide if he's lazy, not bothered, or if there might actually be something wrong. Any tips on how to make him move more?

[poopscoop]

My DS did not crawl til later, and he would keep one leg straight, it was most peculiar, just used his arms, but gp was not worried. He was up on his feet by 18 months taking his first few steps, so not to worry.

[AllThreeWays]

It is worth getting it checked, he is definately behind the 'average'. best to find out if intervention is needed, BEFORE it becomes an big issue

[Northernlurker]

Will he pull up on furniture? I agree that you should apeak to your HV or GP just to be sure - but don't worry - there is a huge range of what's normal.

[lexilou]

My DS is 19 months old, he started commando crawling at 14.5 months - keeping one leg straight like poopscoops ds. He started pulling himself up at 18 months and now cruises the furniture and can crawl a bit on all fours.

For me the important thing was that he was not pulling himself up, or attempting to by 15/16 months so got him referred to local child development centre. He was seen by paed consultant, paed nurse and paed physio. He has hyper mobile joints and low muscle tone, which basically means he will be later with all gross motor skills such as kicking a ball, riding a bike etc. He will also fatigue more quickly and get growing pains.

In retrospect DS2 probably has this too, as was the same although to a lesser degree, and is now double jointed, apparently there is a familial link.

I agree with northernlurker, there is a huge range of what's normal so don't worry but def talk to your HV.

Sorry for the essay!

[MrsMattie]

Apparently I never crawled. Just did a bit of bum-shuffling and then one day stood up at 16 mths and was running by 18 m ths

[wasabipeanut]

My friends ds who was born a day before mine is now 18 mo but didn;t crawl at all - he did this bum shuffling bouncing thing with one leg sticking out.

Would stand for a few seconds then get bored and sit down again. Just started walking a few weeks ago and was a competent walker straight away.

In contrast to my ds who started walking at 10 months but then spent the next 2 o 3 months covered in bruises because he would fall over/off things/crash into things. I love his spirit but I did worry about the impact of constant bangs on the head.

[Cheesenchocolate]

Northernlurker - no he's not pulling up on furniture yet. We are going to the GP today about something else so will mention it then. I did mention it to my HV but she said there was nothing to worry about.

[FAQinglovely]

he sounds like my DS1 - who never cralwed and didn't walk until 18 1/2 months. He cruised furniture from about 12 months - but we had to stand him up next to it - he didn't learn to pull himself up until about 16 months!

[Cheesenchocolate]

I went to the GP today and he said not to worry unless it gets to 18 or 20 months. Fingers crossed DS is doing something by then!

[fromheretomaternity]

Coming a bit late to this thread, but my ds is nearly a year and still not crawling or walking - he pulls himself up partway on the bars of a playpen if he's in the mood but that's about it! Anything I can do to encourage him? I do put him on his tummy (and sometimes he flips forward from seated to tummy), but all he does is flail his arms and legs around in the air then start crying!!

[Thankyouandgoodnight]

If you hold him up will he happily stand up i.e. put weight on to his legs? If not, he needs his hips checked.

[fromheretomaternity]

Mine will but only for a very short time (a few seconds). He is a bit of a podge though - 90th centile plus. maybe that's why?

[aprilfoolsbaby]

My DD is nearly one and also not crawling. She does the whole uncoordinated arms and legs flapping thing. Recently she has started getting onto her knees and rocking back and forwards, but still no crawling.

I'm not worried though, she has been waving and clapping for ages and can point, turn pages in a book and say 'mama' and 'dada' in context. She is perfectly happy and whilst she's slow in learning to crawl, she's developing quickly in other things.

Please try not to worry. They'll get there in the end x

[JaneSeymour]

I think you might want to bear in mind something called hypermobility - I've had a couple of friends with children who didn't walk or crawl for ages, and they were both dx with this, it basically means (I think) that the joints are very mobile, so putting weight on legs etc is quite hard for them. It's fine with plenty of the right exercises, they do both walk perfectly now, just something to mention maybe.

[TeisaWilson]

My son is 13months but still hasn't crawled or walked.He can sit and if he's lying down,can roll around but that's pretty much it.He had a twin brother that died at 1month 2 weeks of brain haemorrhage. Could this contribute to slow development? Should I be worried?

[babyref]

my baby is 14 mnths old and not crawling yet but interested in holding my hands and walking.if you put her on her tummy she moves backwards,she turns on her bed but cannot pull up to sit. im worried

[Ukmum1]

Hi

I wouldn’t worry about it. My dd didn’t start crawling until 16 months and then started walking at 18 months, she was more of a talker than a walker. My gp at the time said her own daughter was the same.

[Flabbermingo]

No, crawling isn't a developmental milestone so no need to worry. Physio told me that as long as they can get up to stand by age 2 it's unlikely they will have any issues.

[babyref]

Ok i am relieved now, and to tell the truth the baby is fine, active and talkative hahhah.
thank you for your comments ladies.