When Do Babies Crawl?

As a new parent, you might find yourself looking forward to the many major milestones your baby will one day achieve. The day your little one first smiles (a real smile) at you, or the day she laughs out loud, the day she finally rolls over, sits up on her own, and finally; the day she becomes mobile. Crawling is a major milestone and a very happy moment in every family’s life, but sometimes it’s a bit upsetting.

Crawling

Some parents become upset when their baby doesn’t crawl as quickly as someone else’s baby. It’s important to remember, however, that all children develop differently and there is no right or wrong time for your baby to crawl. According to medical experts, the average time a baby learns to crawl is anywhere from 7 to 10 months. However, that’s not a guarantee. Many babies crawl much earlier than that (my oldest didn’t crawl until 7 months, but our 3-year-old was crawling by 6 months) and others crawl even later.

Some babies, in fact, don’t even bother with crawling. Many babies will go straight from sitting to pulling up and walking along the furniture for support without ever making the decision to crawl.

To Be Concerned

While it might frustrate you to see other baby’s crawling while yours is not, don’t be alarmed. There is no reason to worry or panic. Your baby will get around one day on his or her own, though crawling might not be a guarantee. If you are going to be concerned, wait until your baby is a year old. If your baby hasn’t shown any interest in mobility, whether it’s crawling, scooting, rolling, sitting or attempting to stand by one year of age, you should contact your pediatrician to discuss your concerns. He or she can help you understand what might be going on and provide you with the information you’re looking for.

(Photo by Stephen Chernin/Procter & Gamble)