Do you let babies crawl on carpets?!

[Jimmyjammymammy]

I've just been scolded for being irresponsible for letting my baby crawl on a polypropylene rug. Apparently full of PFAS and most likely flame retardants and i should be using a baby mat.

My mind is blown by this. I'm a very anxious person and take precautions (probably too many) but I feel this is a bit extreme. Surely most babies crawl on a carpet? Do people actually just buy wool rugs or put baby mats down specifically to avoid a baby being exposed to potential toxins?

So, I'm very curious, AIBU to let a baby crawl on a carpet?!

As long as it's reasonably clean it's fine.

The person who said this to you has taken "preposterous" to new levels. You're doing fine OP and this is not something to worry about on the grand scheme of things.

Life's too short for all that worry! We are all exposed to something or other all the time and can do very little about. Just enjoy your baby and watching their growth and development.

No, I make my fictional baby levitate in a sterile bubble because you just can't be too careful. It's the only way.

Of course. How else are they supposed to learn to walk?

JFC whoever said this to you will suck the joy out of all aspects of life.

When mine was little and crawling I'd just pop a throw on the floor, mostly because I didn't want him breathing carpet fibres all day.

That's nuts. Yes I absolutely let my baby crawl on carpets. My four year old did too and has survived 😂

Of course! Had never occurred to me that it could.be a problem

They're ridiculous. Literally millions of babies will have crawled on carpets, we're all fine.

And you don't think they were breathing in fibres from the throw?

DH grew up on an asbestos mine and spent his free time playing with friends on the mine waste dumps. He also had two parents who smoked heavily, indoors and in the car. Of course I’m not advocating that - it’s good that we improve H&S for each new generation - but just pointing out that kids survive worse things. Ignore that person - you’re doing fine x

No, if they want to crawl I make them do it on the street outside. Builds resilience.

Not as bad as carpet fibres no.

I've never heard this one! It's a new absurd thing to worry about. It's fine OP.

Back away from that person. Yes, I let my children crawl on carpets.

Absolutely no concern for my babies to have crawled on carpets, or floors of any kind, or outside on grass etc.

Well, you can safely ignore the crap that comes out of their mouth can't you!!

baby mats and throws are great when they're tiny & learning to roll, but once they're crawling thats ridiculous & once they start pulling themselves up it's also a trip hazard.

of course they can crawl on carpets

I'm glad I'm past the baby stage with all of mine because I have OCD and my brain latches on to information like this. If someone would have told me something as daft as this at the time, mine would have never learned to crawl or walk!

All of mine crawled on carpets/rugs, they've turned out fine.

Of course. And the fibres from their clothes and bedding are not as bad either. Or all the fumes they breathe in when in a car. Or every time you go outside. Or when they're inside.

So are you supposed to take all your carpets up when your baby starts crawling? What a load of rubbish.

Honestly I think you can take things too far. You can’t shield them from everything. If you’re going to worry about them breathing carpet fibres you should absolutely never take them out in a pushchair because even the quietest roads have exhaust fumes. Some things you need to take really seriously, eg don’t smoke around them, but honestly you just need to get on with things. Whoever told you this is going to go crazy trying to protect their child from everything.

My mum was horrified that I let my child crawl on public floors.

I told her she was more than welcome to hold onto DD whilst we drank our coffee. I’ll always remember mum trying with all her mite to hold onto her as DD was full on screaming/arching her back wanting to get down.

Mine used to crawl all over the place..

Don’t you watch people walking down the street and shake your head and say “well there goes another poor person whose inadequate parent let them crawl on polypropylene carpets”. No? Me neither.