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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

When did your DC first crawl? And how do you encourage it?

65 replies

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 22:49

My DS is nearly 7 months, and I'm worried he'll never crawl. He's always hated tummy time, and will cry and get distressed when on his front - I'm aware 7 months is early, or I think so - but I'm so sick of people asking me if he's crawling yet! A friend of mine recently had her DC's 8-9month check, and the HV was very concerned that her DC was not crawling. There is no way on earth mine will be doing this in a months time! He does love his walker and bombs around in that, so does want to be on the move. I'm just worried that he hates being on his front so much! Even when he rolls onto his front he complains and rolls back. When did everyone elses babies crawl? Is 8-9 months standard??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

mawbroon · 18/04/2009 22:51

Mine didn't crawl until 11 months. He didn't pull up until 15 months and didn't walk until 20months.

Not every baby crawls.

Your ds might do it when he's ready, or might do bum shuffling or commando crawling. Leave him be, he'll find his own way in his own time!

thisisyesterday · 18/04/2009 22:51

ds1 was about 6 months, ds2 about 7 months I think.
but they were always very physical babies iyswim? they did other things late (like clapping, talking etc)

my HV nearly fell off her chair when ds1 walked in for his 8 month check pmsl.

no, I wouldn't be worried yet, early movers are NOT nice. I can't remember what the average is but I'd be surprised if it's even as early as 8/9 months

malfoy · 18/04/2009 22:53

DS1 crawled on the day after his first birthday.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 22:53

Also, he is a big 7 month old, he looks nearly 1! I think this is why I'm often being asked about the crawling as he 'looks' able - many a time I've had a head shaken in pity saying 'some babies never crawl they just walk', surely he's being written off too early!!!!

I'm aware I'm reallllly overthinking this

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ChasingSquirrels · 18/04/2009 22:54

both of mine were 9mo.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 22:56

X-posts guys sorry! Oh thanks ever so much you've put my mind at rest! I'm sure all these development charts are based on exceptionally fast babies...!

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muppetgirl · 18/04/2009 22:56

ds 1 around 7/8 months

ds 2 16 months (didn't bum shuffle till 14/15 months)

3littlefrogs · 18/04/2009 22:57

Please don't worry - he's got loads of time.

Just make the most of the last few remaining weeks before he is able to move like greased lightning and take your house apart.

muppetgirl · 18/04/2009 23:00

btw ds 2 17 months and not walking. Pulls himself up/starting to cruise but not really interested. Panic yee not, averages mean some do it early and some do it later. I have had one of each -what the heck will ds 3 be like when he arrives???

lockets · 18/04/2009 23:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 23:02

I suppose a month or two in baby time is long. I just get so peeved when I put his mat down with various toys the interest him - and all he wants to do is fly round in his walker! I even get on the floor and act like a prat to entertain him but he hates it, I feel bad for not encouraging tummy time more when he was tiny but didn't think it was a big deal tbh. All this isn't helped by the fact he has a flat head at the back that my DP keeps complaining about & telling me to take him to the GP. I did and the GP said it would correct itself when he 'starts crawling and spending time on his tummy' lol!!

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hannahlouhoo · 18/04/2009 23:03

NO it is not, my 13month STILL has no intrest in going anywhere, no crawling rolling no anything. (but he sits quite beautifully )

I do lots and lots with my ds to encourage movement swimming, baby gym, baby yoga. So i dont think i can do much more!

I've given up comparing and worrying about him as he is walking when held with one hand so i now spend my days doing this with him!

I beleive he is doing it in his own time and doesnt want to be rushed! My ds like yours does not like tummy time at all even now, i stopped forcing it on him as he got so cross and upset.

Dont worry and stop comparing your ds (hard i know) if your really worried talk to your hv about your concerns when he has his check.

hth as in my wine induced state this has taken me about 15 mins to type!

CompareTheMeerkat · 18/04/2009 23:03

DS was 8.5 months and was early compared with most babies his age that I knew.

DD didn't crawl at all - she did a sort of bottom shuffle at 10.5 months.

They both walked at 15 months.

feedthegoat · 18/04/2009 23:03

My ds did a kind of comando crawl from about 5 and 1/2 months. He kind of dragged himself around on his elbows.

I remember rushing off to HV in a blind panic as the nursery nurse who ran the baby play session at the local sure start told me she thought there was something wrong with his legs. She did the whole 'I don't mean to worry you but you really need to get him looked at. I've been watching him for weeks and he's not using his legs properly and I have alot of experience in these things'. Unfortunately I wasn't on MN at the time and was nearly in tears.

HV was and said does she know he's 7mo fgs most aren't crawling for months yet! He was up on his knees about 2 weeks later and nursery nurse admited she thought he was 18 mo so much for all that experience!

I guess my point is take no notice, he'll crawl, shuffle or walk when he's ready. I'd say enjoy your lovely baby while you can, he'll be off causing mayhem any day!

Dottoressa · 18/04/2009 23:03

Some advice here!

HolidaysQueen · 18/04/2009 23:05

Took him 10.5mo - now 12.5mo and nowhere near walking, mainly because he now loves crawling and is super fast so barely bothers to pull up to standing. I know 3 babies who never learnt to crawl and just went straight to walking at around 12-13mo instead.

Crawling isn't usually included in standard development measures I believe because it varies so hugely in terms of when it starts (if at all) and how proficient the baby is.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 23:05

3littlefrogs - he's already on a path of destruction in his walker so I guess your right I should make the most of it -I haven't babyproofed the house yet!

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muppetgirl · 18/04/2009 23:06

my ds 2 HATED tummy time with a passion and screamed blue murder whenever we put him on his tummy. It took him ages to hold his head, ages to sit/sit unaided then ages to roll (didn't do till christmas day when he was 13 months) so we figure he's on his own developmental curve...

HV not worried until he's 2 re the walking btw

ramonaquimby · 18/04/2009 23:07

mine were all early crawlers (earliest 5 months, then 2 at 6 months) you have to give them tummy time as this is how they will learn to crawl! even if it's a really short time initially, just gradually build up to it. 7 months is still on the early side of things so I wouldn't be too worried, but if you want to encourage crawling, he has to be spending time on his tummy

he might never crawl tho like someone else said, and might go from bum shuffling (does he sit up?) straight to walking.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 23:11

That link was v.interesting dottoressa, my DP is dyslexic and was a bottom shuffler - will have to show him that

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Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 23:14

He can sit up when he concentrates hard, but if distracted by a toy topples forward haha!

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muppetgirl · 18/04/2009 23:17

also found that link interesting as dh was a bum shuffler and ds 2 is. Interesting to think about it possibly being heriditory. Also I taught and I used to say to dh that if he were in my class I would get him tested for dyspraxia as he is so clumsy/bad handwriting etc.

Interesting again as ds 2 bum shuffled first and has now only just started crawling in the past few weeks though prefers to shuffle still.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 23:17

at hannahlouhoo n the wine - I've just scoffed a big bag of chocolate peanuts - I think there should be a scientific study on the link between mumsnet & late night over-indulgence!!

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DontCallMeBaby · 18/04/2009 23:18

14 months - OP's friend's HV is being very alarmist, mine just asked 'is she sitting?' when I expressed concern about DD's stationary nature. She hated tummy time, but from the time she could sit unaided she could have crawled if she chose, she just didn't. As to the necessity of crawling to future intellectual etc development, she's now 5, reads and writes for fun, no problems there at all. Anecdotal evidence, I know, but all our children are just their own little anecdotes.

Original poster

BlueJellie · 18/04/2009 23:22

Alarmist, yeah you're right she said she would return for a follow up 4 weeks later to check the DC was crawling!!

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