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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

MusicalTrifleMonkey · 13/01/2021 18:55

Tummy time won’t affect it. My mum didn’t do tummy time Witt any of her kids, she said she had never heard of it. I was walking by 8 months. Your child will develop as they will. Just keep them safe and enjoy it. Get a playpen.

User24689 · 13/01/2021 18:58

The period of time you can leave them places and they will stay there is incredibly short for most babies. Both mine commando crawled at 4 months I thought that was fairly normal. This is the next stage of parenting, you have to embrace it!

User24689 · 13/01/2021 18:59

Also when you say dangerous what do you mean? What do you expect a baby shuffling across the floor to injure themselves on? You will obviously be supervising him so I don't see the issue, it isn't like he is going to fall and bang his head (a whole other fun stage!)

Godimabitch · 13/01/2021 18:59

Ridiculous to hold children back because you're not ready for them to grow up.

My cousin was like this with her kids, still is actually, last time I saw her she was telling me how upset she was her 19yo son being able to get the bus himself .

Coffeeandaride · 13/01/2021 19:22

I'm not sure trying to hold him back will work. If he can turn over he can decide on his own tummy time! You will adapt and work out ways to keep him safe!

problembottom · 13/01/2021 19:29

You really can’t stop it I’m afraid. My friend’s baby crawled at four months and it did look like hard work. So impressive to watch though! DD sat still on her backside for ten months and didn’t walk until 16 months. Funny how different they all are.

Oysterbabe · 13/01/2021 19:31

Just put him in a cage OP. Be sure not to talk to him either, the sooner they talk, the sooner they talk back.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 13/01/2021 19:33

If he's capable then it's safe for him to do it. One of mine was an early crawler and walker. Good luck, on the plus side I lost loads of weight chasing her!

SunshineCake · 13/01/2021 19:34

A four month old shouldn't ever be in a position where he can hurt himself. You either need to be with him at all times or find a safe place, play pen, travel cot, strapped in a pram when you need to leave the room.

FYI after crawling they learn to walk and run.

Santaiscovidfree · 13/01/2021 19:37

Lots of advice on crate training in The Doghouse...

Hardbackwriter · 13/01/2021 19:41

I think if you try it you'll quickly discover that it doesn't make your life easier - there is no baby more frustrated and therefore demanding than the baby who wants to move and can't.

1Morewineplease · 13/01/2021 19:42

If your baby wants to crawl then that means that your baby naturally needs to crawl. Let him be.

Wrenna · 13/01/2021 19:45

I had a friend whose son walked at 6 months! It was a nightmare but it was what it was. Mine didn’t walk until 17 months and it was bliss!

89redballoons · 13/01/2021 19:46

My DS was shuffling around in a circle at 4 months. His dad was a very early crawler and we all thought DS would be on the move early too. Actually he didn't master a proper crawl until 8 months, and at 13 months he's not yet walking independently, so he seems entirely average.

So you may still have a while before he's rushing about everywhere by himself, not that you can do anything about it really.

Twizbe · 13/01/2021 19:49

Get a play pen and get him used to it now.

TitsOot4Xmas · 13/01/2021 20:00

@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

My DD was walking at 9 months. And on window ledges/tables at 9.5 months......

We’re 98% monkey.

FFSAllTheGoodOnesArereadyTaken · 13/01/2021 20:18

I dont think a 4 month old crawling is more dangerous or annoying than say a 7 or 8 month old. It's not like 8 month olds are aware of danger or are sensible

JulesM73 · 13/01/2021 20:38

Won’t repeat what others have said re not wanting him to crawl however YABU for using ‘hubs’!

Original poster

fifiKma · 14/01/2021 07:40

OK thanks for the (non rude) replies. I can see your points about holding him back. I was really just kidding about the wanting to have it easier! My real concern is that he's quite young to be moving but it sounds like it's quite normal. I had better get baby proofing today!

*not sure how it's boasting. Maybe if he was super clever and talking lol but I don't think shuffling about on the sofa is exactly boast worthy...

OP posts:

Original poster

fifiKma · 14/01/2021 07:55

@17:10SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

OP posts:

Crimblecrumble1990 · 14/01/2021 07:58

Yep as others have said. Babies won't do things until they are ready so if he has started moving then developmentally he is ready for it. Just got to go with it :)

SunshineCake · 14/01/2021 08:00

[quote fifiKma]@17:10SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius

When I think about it you are completely right. I have been suffering from pn anxiety since the birth. I'm feeling much better on the meds this month but he choked in hospital and I guess that is preying on my mind again. Now I'm having a panic about things that could happen to him if he can move around. I guess this is like they say about pnd and anxiety affecting baby development.[/quote]
If you'd said that in the OP you would have had more understanding but really, we should all have been kinder anyway. Good luck baby proofing. I suggest you lie on the floor to see things from his level so you don't miss anything.

LouiseTrees · 14/01/2021 08:19

@fifiKma

*not sure how it's boasting. Maybe if he was super clever and talking lol but I don't think shuffling about on the sofa is exactly boast worthy...

Sorry obvious point here. His commando crawling should be on the ground not on the sofa from which he could fall. And if you really need to put in a container of some sort eg to go get a bottle/breast shield etc then a crib, an activity table ( until he can climb out) or a high chair that is suitable from reborn with a tilt/lie flat and buckled in could be an option

Original poster

fifiKma · 14/01/2021 09:06

08:00SunshineCake it has a way of creeping up on you and seeming like a totally normal concern.
One of us sits with him all the time when he's on the sofa. It seems to help with the reflux issue he vomits less on the sofa not sure why.

OP posts:

Nanny0gg · 14/01/2021 09:17

@fifiKma

08:00SunshineCake it has a way of creeping up on you and seeming like a totally normal concern. One of us sits with him all the time when he's on the sofa. It seems to help with the reflux issue he vomits less on the sofa not sure why.

Look at his position. Presumably he isn't totally flat? See how his body is shaped

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