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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Crawling........nearly there?

25 replies

Melly · 04/01/2004 13:30

I know this topic has been covered loads but wanted to start a fresh thread.

Basically, ds is nearing 9 months and is so very nearly crawling. He seems to have been stuck at this stage for about a month, so close but can't quite sort out what he needs to do. We've tried all the usual encouragements etc. He is extremely frustrated and so am I!! I'm not worried about milestones or anything, dd was 10.5 months when she crawled but I can't remember how long she stayed at the "nearly there" stage. I know he'll do it when he's ready but it seems like this stage is lasting forever. He basically goes up onto all fours, then flops onto his tummy and slids backwards (quite a distance). He used to sit or lie and play quite happily for reasonably long spells, but for the past 2 weeks or so has become really grumpy after only 5 minutes, consequently I have to constantly entertain him by bouncing him up and down on my lap (his favourite pastime) but at nearly 23 lbs this is very tiring.

Anyone else going through this phase at the moment who might be able to give me some moral support or tips to get him going? A few people have said that he will probably walk early but I just don't know?

Any thoughts or tips gratefully received.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

cas1968 · 04/01/2004 14:54

Hi Melly,

My dd is 10 months and isn't really showing much interest in crawling at all. She has learnt to bottom-shuffle quite well though, using her arms as levers, she literally bounces from one end of the room to the other! She, too, is getting bored of sitting and playing, regardless whether we give her her "old" favourite toys or the new ones she got for Christmas, or a mix of the two.
ds walked a week before his first birthday. He crawled for a little while, but only a few weeks, I think. I don't remember this bottom-shuffling stage with him, though.

dd has cut another two teeth (she now has eight) over the Christmas period. Could teething be a reason why your ds is grumpy all of a sudden? This stage is hard isn't it? I can't wait for dd to turn into a toddler, but dh thinks I'm crazy

I'm not much help I'm afraid, but enjoy the rest of the baby stage as you'll be running around after him by the summer!

Cas x

Paula71 · 04/01/2004 21:22

My ds twins were about 8 months when they started crawling and furniture surfing. Unfortunately they enjoyed crawling more than walking and it took ages before I got them to realise that the world looks better from up on two legs rather than on all fours! They stopped crawling altogether at about 14 months.

I think if they bum-shuffle they walk quicker than crawlers. From what I have seen of friends babies, anyway!

Original poster

Melly · 05/01/2004 08:52

Thanks Cas & Paula, I will just have to be patient I suppose!

OP posts:

deegward · 05/01/2004 15:44

Melly, my ds2 is just over 9 months, and is making no attempt to crawl, or move of any kind. He reaches out for things, but knows how far he can go without toppling over, and just doesn't go any further. He doesn't suppot his own weight if you bounce him on your knee, but enjoys his door bouncer.

Like yours he gets very grumpy very easily.
I am just enjoying the fact that I can put him on the floor and come back and he is in the same place. heaven!

Original poster

Melly · 06/01/2004 13:23

Yes, know what you mean Deegward, I bet as soon as he is crawling I'll be wishing he wasn't mobile.

OP posts:

StressyHead · 06/01/2004 13:28

message withdrawn

GenT · 13/01/2004 21:57

Melly, I would say enjoy it. When he starts, you will be asking for breaks and your favourite two words will be "LEAVE THAT". My dd is 7 1/2 and into everything now. She can stand up holding onto the furniture and can scoot down to the floor off the furniture if you hold her. She can roll and leopard crawls(dh calls it) as she does on her tummy. Still not slow enough for me.

If I am checking out the net, I place her in the middle of the room and hopefully by the time I finish reading something, she may have reached my chair, which gives me enough time to replace her at the same position.

Don't worry too much but give him things to entertain himself that he won't be bored silly, is my advice.

Oh, you might want to get him a baby walker, the little seats on wheels. Ours is very mobile in that thing, she needs a licence I think and fined when she runs over our toes. She had hers at about 13 weeks. Had to check Ebay for that as that is where we found it and it was an instant hit with her.

Original poster

Melly · 15/01/2004 09:15

Hi GenT, thanks for your advice. We've got a baby walker, borrowed it from a friend and its been a life saver for me and ds absolutely loves it. Dh calls it the battle wagon, as ds manages to crash into everything, pull things over and like you say run over toes!

OP posts:

newbymum · 17/02/2004 00:01

My 6 month old has just started getting on to all fours but when she trys to move forward she falls flat on her belly and just flayalls her legs about. Is there anything I can do to help incourage her development?

bobthebaby · 17/02/2004 03:17

Is she distressed when she does this? She will do it in her own time, 6 months is pretty early and so I don't think you need to "do" anything to push her on. Her muscles are just developing the strength for the next step.

GenT · 17/02/2004 04:37

I would agree with bobthebaby, you don't have to do anything to encourage her. It is a difficult job for them to try and coordinate those hands and feet into getting anywhere. Each move is a strenghtening exercise and gradually the movements will increase. Just give her lots of room to move in and if you want you can put a few toys barely within reach to dazzle and entice her. She will get there faster than you think.

Sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy it while it lasts.

handlemecarefully · 17/02/2004 08:53

Melly,

Your boy does sound like he is at the nearly stage - this can last for several weeks (my dd seemed to rock backwards and forwards on all fours and go into reverse for about 6 weeks before perfecting the forward crawl)....I see you've got a baby walker - excellent idea, they love them don't they! I also 'think' that they encourage them to walk earlier than they might otherwise (dd took her first steps the night before her first birthday which isn't exceptionally early, but is earlier than average).

You could also try one of those baby bouncer things that go over doorways, to give yourself a break if he enjoys being bounced about on your lap. He can then bounce about independently. I know my HV was dead set against them - but it didn't do my dd any harm.

newbymum · 18/02/2004 21:18

Thankyou everyone for your advice. As this is my first child I to am still learning and the advice and reassurance of others is a great help thankyou!

mrsforgetful · 18/02/2004 23:29

move the scissors/pens/telephone and fruit bowl....she's on her way!!!! ...however agree that the 'pre-crawling' phase can last a while- as does the 'learning to talk' ....with your 1st you are eagerly awaiting every milestone....with my ds3 he 'just developed'!!!!!

Enjoy every step as it goes so fast! I feel broody at the moment and am trying to convince myself that 'i've gone past the crawling etc stage' then i go and see a newborn being snuggled in the palm of a mans hand yesterday and it all comes flooding back! I have 3 boys- the elder 2 are autistic...so really i know 3 is plenty!

If COPPERTOP reads this....THIS is a 'secret' from my husband....he would be 'horrified' that i feel broody...last time i felt this way we ended up with ds3!!!

GenT · 18/02/2004 23:44

newbymum, have you tried her in a baby walker as yet, at least she will be upright and that will strengthen her back

kiwisbird · 19/02/2004 00:18

1st bubs crawled at 8.5 mths pulled up on furniture via rolling at 7 mths- walked at 9mths , was just using crawling as quicker way than rolling to pull himself up!
Now DD crawled commando at 7 mths, she still is at 15 mths! Cruises wonderfully well, just wont let go of last hand.
No hurry, they'll be on their feet for ever more
Famous saying
You spend babys first year encouraging them to walk and talk
And then spend the next 10 telling them to sit down and shut up!

newbymum · 19/02/2004 00:27

Cheers for the reassurance haven't as of yet tryed a baby walker but will definatly try one thanks! As for feeling broody my 1st is only 6 months and already planning the next!!!

bobthebaby · 19/02/2004 03:33

There are good reasons why most babies develop the crawl then the stand and then the walk in that order. I would not use a baby walker because time spent in the walker would be time not learning to crawl, which he obviously is interested in doing. I don't think it would strengthen the back either. If you do use one, check that he isn't just standing on his toes.

handlemecarefully · 19/02/2004 10:07

Well BTB, the baby walker didn't hold my daughter back from crawling!

Galaxy · 19/02/2004 10:22

message withdrawn

newbymum · 21/02/2004 22:46

Just thought I'd let everyone know SHE'S MADE HER MOVE backwards! I know its not the right direction but she's getting places that she wants to go which makes her smile so we're both happy!! TODAY BACKWARDS TOMMOROW THE WORLD!!!

mrsforgetful · 22/02/2004 00:20

All 3 of mine used babywalkers too- and 2 walked by 12 months and the 3rd by 15mths!

wog · 22/02/2004 09:28

Sorry havent read whole thread but if its any help my dd was in a babywalker too and loved it, she walked on the very day that she was 10 months old and has not stopped moving since

deegward · 22/02/2004 15:50

newbymum, well done, unfortunately my ds2 (11 months on Thursday) still goes round in circles, and hasn't even gone backwards never mind forwards. Oh well just think of the shoes we are saving! He is getting frustrated, but when he goes forward as if to crawl he just hasn't got it.

newbymum · 13/03/2004 23:27

YEAH SHE'S CRAWLING finally after all her fustrations she's crawling! Mind you she's every where and any where i have to have eyes like a hawk and eyes in the back off my head! Had to make every where crawling freindly stair gates, moving ornaments onto those hire shelfs, plug cover ect,ect! Suddenly i appreciate the time when she couldn't crawl!! I've come to learn that as she gets older your so happy that your child is developing and yet at the same time you realize how easy it was befor they could do those things but at the time you think its difficault!!Funny isn't it really oh also she got her first tooth this week bottom right one and she can now say dadda and hiya!!!

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