When Do Babies Start Crawling – Age, Signs & Baby Safety

Every day, you watch your baby mark new developmental milestones—smiling, rolling over, and sitting up. These moments bring immense joy, and up next, you might find yourself wondering: When do babies start crawling? This exciting phase is often one of the first major steps toward mobility and independence. Seeing your baby explore the world on all fours can be an unforgettable moment for many parents, usually happening within the first year.

But exactly when does this milestone occur? Is it normal if your baby isn’t crawling yet? What if they scoot instead of crawl? How can you tell if your baby is ready to start crawling?

Read on to find answers to common questions like when do babies start crawling, crawling starts at what age, and more. Plus, you’ll discover helpful insights on signs your baby is ready to crawl, how to encourage your baby to crawl, different types of baby crawling, baby crawling stages, and ways to help your crawling baby. We’ll also cover baby-proofing your home for crawling safety and discuss if it’s okay if your baby doesn’t crawl at all.

Baby Crawling Starts At What Age?

Most babies start crawling between 6 to 10 months of age. Research indicates that around 50% of babies begin crawling by 8 months. However, it’s essential to remember that every baby is unique; your baby may start crawling as early as 5 months or as late as 10 months.

So, if you’re curious about the typical baby crawling age, know that there is a wide age range. The exact timing depends on factors like muscle tone, weight, and your baby’s interest in exploring their environment.

Is It Okay If Babies Skip Crawling?

Yes, it is perfectly fine if babies skip crawling altogether. Some babies go straight from sitting to standing and then to walking which is perfectly normal and not a cause for concern. Skipping crawling does not necessarily indicate any developmental issues. 

However, if you notice other delays in movement or muscle development, it is a good idea to discuss your concerns with a pediatrician. The important thing is that your baby is finding ways to explore and move, even if it isn’t through traditional crawling.

10 Signs Your Baby Is Getting Ready to Crawl

Before babies start crawling, they often show several signs that indicate they are ready for this milestone. Keep an eye out for these signs baby is ready to crawl:

1. Baby is lifting their head and chest – This shows they are building upper body strength.
2. Moving while lying down – Your baby may wiggle or try to push themselves forward.
3. Constantly looking around during tummy time – This shows curiosity and the desire to move.
4. Baby has started to sit without support – Sitting independently helps develop core muscles needed for crawling.
5. Rocking on hands and knees – Getting on all fours and rocking back and forth is a strong sign of readiness.
6. Grasping toys and pulling them closer – Reaching out indicates that they are learning to move towards what they want.
7. Pushing up from a prone position (on their belly) – This strengthens arm muscles, preparing them for the crawling motion.
8. Scooting backward or sliding – Some babies first move backward before learning to crawl forward.
9. Trying to pivot or turn in circles while on their belly – This indicates improved strength and coordination.
10. Reaching for support to pull themselves up – They might use nearby furniture to practice getting into a crawling position.

During this baby development milestone, your child hasn’t fully mastered moving on their own yet, but these signs indicate they are getting close. This is when your vigilance as a parent increases—you’ll need to keep a watchful eye to ensure they don’t bump their head, knees, or other parts while making their initial movements.

How To Teach Your Baby To Crawl?

If your baby isn’t crawling yet, don’t panic. Delayed crawling is quite common, and there are plenty of activities you can try to encourage your baby to start crawling:

1. Increase tummy time – Increased baby feeding helps strengthen your baby’s neck, shoulders, and arms, building the muscles necessary for crawling.
2. Encourage reaching – Place toys slightly out of reach to motivate your baby to move toward them.
3. Set up an obstacle course – Arrange soft pillows and toys to encourage your baby to crawl over and around them.
4. Use play mats – Soft play mats provide a comfortable surface for your baby to practice crawling safely.
5. Crawl with them – Get down on the floor and crawl alongside your baby. Babies often mimic what they see, so your example can encourage them.
6. Provide ample floor time – Let your baby spend plenty of time playing on the floor rather than in a walker or bouncer. This helps develop essential motor skills.
7. Dance to music – Play some fun music and encourage your baby to move their hands and legs, adding rhythm to their movement.

These activities will help your baby get closer to crawling. If you don’t see any progress and are concerned about delayed crawling, it’s a good idea to consult with a pediatrician.

How To Encourage Your Baby To Crawl?

Helping your baby get ready to crawl is all about creating the right environment and offering lots of encouragement. Here are the 5 best practical tips showing how to help crawling baby:

1. Create an Inviting Space

Set up a safe and comfy play area with soft blankets and interesting toys. Spread out different textures like a plush mat and a crinkly blanket. Babies love to explore various surfaces, which can make them more eager to move and crawl around.

2. Get Down on Their Level

Engage with your baby at their eye level by lying on the floor with them. This can motivate them to move toward you, especially if you smile, talk, or hold out their favorite toy. It’s a great bonding experience and helps your baby feel supported in their efforts.

3. Bring in Some Crawling Games

Play simple games like peek-a-boo or hide a toy under a small blanket to encourage your baby to move and look for it. You can also play “follow the leader” by crawling in front of them, encouraging them to follow you around the room.

4. Give Plenty of Praise

Celebrate every little effort your baby makes to move, even if it’s just wiggling forward an inch. Clap, cheer, and smile when they make progress—positive reinforcement will boost their confidence and motivate them to try even harder next time.

5. Make Tummy Time a Playtime

Incorporate tummy time activities with toys that light up or make sounds. This not only entertains your baby but also helps build the necessary muscle strength in their arms, shoulders, and neck to start crawling.

Now, how will this supportive and engaging environment help you see your baby start crawling?

• Your baby will gain strength and coordination needed to lift themselves off the ground and move forward.
• Your baby will develop confidence as they successfully reach toys and objects placed within sight but just out of reach.
• Your baby will be motivated to explore, especially when they see you or a favorite toy encouraging them to move.
• Your baby will build essential motor skills by playing on various surfaces, helping them master the movements required for crawling.
• Your baby will enjoy more floor time, which reduces time spent in restrictive devices like walkers, boosting their physical development.

Are Any Toys Needed to Support Crawling?

When babies start crawling, you don’t necessarily need special toys. In the early months, a comfortable play mat can be all you need. In most cases, you are your child’s best motivator—they’ll mimic your actions and follow you around. However, for some extra encouragement, you might consider the following toys:

1. Crawling Tunnels – These are fun and engaging, encouraging your baby to move through them and practice their crawling skills.
2. Push Toys – These toys, which babies can push while on all fours, help build strength, facilitate physical and cognitive development and improves coordination.
3. Soft Balls – Rolling a ball in front of your baby can motivate them to crawl after it.
4. Activity Mats with Toys – Mats with attached toys can stimulate your baby’s interest in reaching and moving.

These toys are designed to inspire movement and exploration, helping your baby develop the skills needed for crawling.

What Are Different Types Of Crawling?

You might wonder: “Is my baby crawling or just scooting?” Interestingly, there are various styles of crawling, and each baby may adopt a unique approach. There are several common types of crawling as follows:

1. Classic Crawling (Cross-Crawl) – This is the most recognizable style where the baby moves one arm and the opposite leg simultaneously, creating a coordinated movement.
2. Bear Crawl – Babies keep their arms and legs straight, resembling a bear walking on all fours.
3. Army/Belly Crawl – In this style, babies move forward by dragging their belly on the ground while using their arms to pull themselves.
4. Crab Crawl – Some babies move sideways or backward, appearing like a crab due to their unique movement pattern.
5. Scooting – Instead of crawling on their hands and knees, some babies prefer to scoot on their bottoms, using their legs and arms to push forward.

What Are 8 Different Baby Crawling Stages?

Stages refer to the developmental steps babies typically go through as they learn to crawl. These stages are sequential and represent the process of building the skills needed for crawling. The stages include:

1. Tummy Time (2-3 Months)
   At this baby crawling stage, babies spend time on their stomachs, lifting their heads and chest, which strengthens their neck and upper body muscles. This foundational exercise is essential for building the strength needed for future movement.
2. Rolling Over (4-5 Months)
   As your baby learns to roll from tummy to back and vice versa, they develop their core muscles. This milestone is a precursor to crawling, as it enhances their ability to move and shift their weight.
3. Pushing Up (5-6 Months)
   In this baby crawling stage, babies begin pushing up with their arms while on their tummy, lifting their chest higher off the ground. This action builds upper body strength and prepares them for the next stage in their crawling journey.
4. Pivoting and Scooting (6-7 Months)
   During this stage of baby crawling, babies may begin scooting backward or pivoting on their belly. These early movements help babies gain the motor skills needed to move forward and encourage exploration.
5. Getting on Hands and Knees (7-8 Months)
   Your baby will transition into the “all-fours” position, balancing on their hands and knees. This stage is crucial as it develops balance, coordination, and prepares them for the crawling motion.
6. Rocking Back and Forth (7-9 Months)
   At this point, many babies start rocking back and forth while on their hands and knees, which helps them fine-tune their balance. This stage is vital as it trains them to shift their weight in preparation for crawling.
7. Crawling (8-10 Months):
   When babies reach this milestone, they start to crawl forward on their hands and knees, exploring the world around them. Some babies may also crawl using alternate methods, like the army crawl, depending on their physical development.
8. Pulling Up and Cruising (9-12 Months):
   By now, your baby will begin pulling themselves up to a standing position and cruising along furniture for support. This stage marks an important step toward walking, as your baby strengthens their leg muscles and gains confidence in standing.

Baby-Proofing Your Home For Safety

If you haven’t started baby-proofing yet, now is the perfect time to make your home safe for your little one. Once your baby starts crawling, they’ll be like a tiny explorer on a mission—crawling under tables, reaching for dangling cords, and trying to investigate every little corner of your house! Their newfound mobility means they’ll be getting into everything, so it’s crucial to ensure a safe environment.

As babies start crawling, safety becomes a top priority. Here are some tips to baby-proof your home:

• Cover Electrical Outlets

Install outlet covers to prevent curious little fingers from inserting objects. Babies are naturally drawn to plug sockets because they are at eye level while crawling.

• Cover Sharp Corners

If you have tables or furniture with sharp edges, cover them with rubber corner protectors to prevent bumps and bruises when your baby is on the move.

• Secure Furniture

Anchor heavy items like bookshelves, TVs, and dressers to the wall to prevent tipping. Babies may use these for support as they pull themselves up.

• Remove Small Objects

Clear the floor of any small items like coins, buttons, or small toys that could pose a choking hazard. Crawlers love picking things up and putting them in their mouths!

• Install Baby Gates

Place gates at the top and bottom of stairs to prevent falls. You can also use them to block off rooms that are not yet baby-proofed.

• Lock Cabinets

 Install childproof locks on cabinets, especially those containing cleaning supplies, chemicals, sharp objects, or medications.

In addition to these, keep batteries, firearms, knives, cords, plastic bags, and other hazardous items well out of reach. It’s also a good idea to secure any heavy objects like vases or lamps that could fall over if your baby pulls on them.

When To Worry About Crawling Delays?

Before you start worrying that your child is 9 or 10 months old and not crawling yet, take a moment to go through this quick checklist:

• Have you given your baby plenty of floor time to play and explore?
• Have you encouraged tummy time regularly to strengthen their muscles?
• Have you allowed your baby freedom from restrictive devices like walkers and bouncers?
• Is your baby reaching out and grasping for toys but still not crawling?
• Does your baby make movements like rocking on hands and knees but hasn’t started moving forward?
• Is your baby trying to push up from their belly but can’t quite coordinate the motion yet?
• Have you tried positioning toys just out of reach to motivate your baby to move?

If you’ve done all these things and your baby appears healthy, this might just be a case of developmental delay. Some babies skip crawling altogether and go straight to pulling up, cruising, or walking. So, give your baby some time to figure things out.

However, if you notice your baby showing no interest in moving, cruising, pulling to stand, or grabbing objects even after 12 months, it’s time to reach out to a healthcare provider. It could be an indication of motor skill delays or muscle weakness, and your child’s doctor might suggest further evaluation or physical therapy to help them get on track.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to feel anxious and lose patience, especially when you see other babies starting to crawl or walk before your child. But remember, the timing of when babies start crawling can vary greatly, and it isn’t something to compare with other kids. Your baby will follow their own developmental path, with their unique crawling age and style. So, try to stay patient, keep encouraging them, and celebrate each small step they take on their journey to crawling and beyond.