Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not sure I want 4 month old to crawl

80 replies

fifiKma · 13/01/2021 16:31

So my wee man has just turned 4 months and is quite big and crazy active. I've been doing tummy time sparingly because he has reflux but granny got him a tummy time llama and he's taken to that started rolling at last. But lately he's been starting to commando crawl. My husband was thrilled but I'm considering cutting down on tummy time so he doesn't start boosting about. Wouldn't it be dangerous for so young a baby to be able to move? Hubs disagrees but he's not looking after him all day!
Husband thinks I'm being selfish aibu? I don't want to hold his development back but I'm worried he might hurt himself (OK I'm also being selfish I want to leave him places and find him there when I turn back round)

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 13/01/2021 16:36

It's harder when they start to crawl but there's no stopping or postponing it. You'll either have to pop him into a crib or keep an eye on him.

Thatwentbadly · 13/01/2021 16:37

Yabu to try and reduce your child’s development. Both my girls could wriggle across the floor at that age.

Gazelda · 13/01/2021 16:44

I sympathise, and understand your fear of him getting hurt. But I don't think that is a reasonable excuse to restrict his natural development.

In any case if you try to stop him from doing something he's keen to do, surely that will distress him and you'd have a different issue to deal with?

It's tough but you'll have to keep an eye on him, make the place safe for him, use a sling etc.

Saz12 · 13/01/2021 16:47

But won’t he just cry if he wants to move / tummy time llama thingy and you wont let him? DD learnt to crawl because she really wanted to explore, so I don’t imagine she’d have been content to go back to sitting watching.

Is he just sort of “worming” around by accident, rather than to explore? In which case he’s not going to get far or fast.

But yes, YABU.

rainbowunicorn · 13/01/2021 16:48

This surely can't be real. Nobody would really be stupid enough to try and delay their child's development. Would they?

Hiphopopotamus · 13/01/2021 16:50

What? You’re being bonkers (and selfish) Let your child explore and develop at the rate that they can. You should be encouraging this, not trying to halt it

OldCow1 · 13/01/2021 16:50

Crawling is supposedly important for brain development. I was asked about it for all three kids when we were trying go get into a school we wanted. They reckoned there was a link between not crawling enough and dyslexia. No idea if it's true.

Aquamarine1029 · 13/01/2021 16:51

He's going to do what he's going to do. There's no stopping it and you shouldn't try. My daughter was running like a gazelle at 8 months, and I wouldn't wish that hell on anybody. Far, far too young for that nonsense. Hopefully, your little one won't be doing that.

BendingSpoons · 13/01/2021 16:53

You have to keep more of an eye in him but it will keep him entertained. Spend a bit of time baby proofing a space for him to crawl round and make use of a bouncer chair etc in trickier spaces e.g. kitchen.

HelloThereMeHearties · 13/01/2021 16:53

Are you actually serious???!!! Shock

You want to hold your child's development back???

speakout · 13/01/2021 16:54

My DS did this too- not really crawling, we called it "squiggling", but he could move.

YABU to stop development- and your baby will be properly crawling anyway in a few short months- he won't stay where you put him and will be at risk if you don't supervise and control his environment.

May be a good time to start praparing for a mobile baby- child proof your home.

PandemicPalava · 13/01/2021 16:57

I'm afraid the truth is that babies are hard work when they're moving and you have to move everything out of their way and be 100% on it and yes, sometimes they hurt themselves. You should have seen my friends walking 9 month old! That doesn't mean you should try and stop it

Seeline · 13/01/2021 17:00

You can't stop it.

If you try you will have a seriously distressed baby.

Get a play pen.

Thatwentbadly · 13/01/2021 17:01

@PandemicPalava

I'm afraid the truth is that babies are hard work when they're moving and you have to move everything out of their way and be 100% on it and yes, sometimes they hurt themselves. You should have seen my friends walking 9 month old! That doesn't mean you should try and stop it
I disagree. I think moving babies are much easier. My second walked the day she turned 9 months as she was so much happier.
tmh88 · 13/01/2021 17:08

DS was army crawling at 4 1/2 months! I get it’s worrying when they are so little doing it but I wouldn’t stop how they’re developing naturally over it, if that makes sense!

Minky37 · 13/01/2021 17:09

YABVVU to want to hold back your baby’s development so you can have an easier time!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 13/01/2021 17:10

I can understand the fear of change, @fifiKma - and I suspect that is, in part at least, what is going on here. You have spent the last 4 months getting to grips with a major change in your life - becoming a parent - and now, when you feel you have a handle on it, things are changing, and that is not easy to handle. And the change from them being completely reliant on you to take them everywhere, to starting to be able to go where they want to, independently, is a big change.

The thing is, there are many more new skills coming - there will be a lot of change - and you can either resist it, and drive yourself round the twist in the process, or you can learn to embrace each new thing your baby learns to do, and to encourage them to learn, whilst keeping them safe at the same time.

It is a balancing act - keeping them safe whilst letting them develop their new skills - but you can do it - I know you can.

shouldistop · 13/01/2021 17:12

Surely not?

Just baby proof your house and get a play pen / travel cot for when you have to leave him unattended.

DS1 was rolling across the room at that age.

maddening · 13/01/2021 17:13

My ds was the same, rolling at 8 weeks and commando crawling at 4 months. Once they learn I don't think you can halt progress short of tying them down.

Ds was an early mover and walker but a late talker though, I think this is the most exhausting combo!

sausagepastapot · 13/01/2021 17:14

WTAF.

Backbee · 13/01/2021 17:14

I'm hoping your joking OP, or that perhaps this at meant as a stealth boast (even though nothing impressive about it).

Shosha1 · 13/01/2021 17:15

Mine crawled at 4 months, walked at 8. It was a nightmare! But they do things at their own pace .

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 13/01/2021 17:18

Have you thought of being mute around them too- honestly it’s annoying when they talk so I’d focus on stunting that Hmm

Santaiscovidfree · 13/01/2021 17:19

Dgs walked at 7 months.. We had him 3 days a week. I was bloody devastated!!
Crawled at 5 months.

Didn't occur to me to hold him back. . Doubt cable ties would have done anything... Bungee strap maybe??

imalmosthere · 13/01/2021 17:24

My son was crawling at 4 months, and pulled himself up at 6 months to scoot - I found this out when I returned to the lounge to find he'd pulled himself up and fallen head first into the toy box 😂(he was fine).
You cannot and shouldn't want to stop them developing. Absolutely do not reduce tummy time. Anyway, he will roll and figure it out on his own even if you did.
You'll end up with one angry baby if you try interfere with his completely natural impulses.

Swipe left for the next trending thread