Baby Crawling – What You Need To Know ?

Crawling is an important developmental milestone that most babies reach between 6 and 10 months of age. However, every baby is different and some may start crawling earlier while others later. When do babies start crawling? At what age does this most often happen? As well as what are the different types of crawling, and is it normal for your baby to skip the crawling stage and go straight to walking?  These  are all just some of the many questions new parents ask themselves and #MommyVeronika is here to answer them in this week’s article.

When do babies start crawling?

In order for babies to start crawling, they must first develop sufficient neck and arm strength. This allows them to lift their head and chest in order to support themselves with their hands. They must also develop the necessary coordination to move their arms and legs in a particularly coordinated manner, which is essential for crawling.

During the first few months of life, babies begin to develop their gross motor skills through activities such as tummy time, reaching for objects, and etc. As they become more mobile, they begin to slide or roll over to get around. By about 6 months of age, many babies are far more established in this endeavor.

Once babies develop enough strength and coordination, they can begin to learn how to crawl. This happens in a variety of ways, from the classic hands-and-knees crawl to the “commando” belly crawl. It’s important to remember that although most babies start crawling between the ages of 6 and 10 months, every baby is different and goes through the stages of growth in their own way and at their speed.

Different types of crawling

There are several different ways babies crawl, and each method has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most common ones:

– The Classic crawling: This is the most traditional form of crawling, where babies move forward on their hands and knees. Classic crawling helps them develop strength and coordination in their arms and legs as well as their core muscles. It also helps improve their balance and stability.

– The ”Commando” crawl: The commando crawl, also called the “army crawl,” involves moving forward on the stomach while the baby drags the legs backward. This type of crawling can be helpful for babies who have not yet developed enough strength to crawl on their hands and knees. However, this type of crawl does not provide as many opportunities to strengthen the upper body nor with the exercise of the lower body.

– The Bear crawl: This type of crawl involves crawling on arms and legs with hips and arms extended. This type of crawling can help strengthen core muscles and improve balance and coordination. It can also be helpful for babies who have difficulty crawling on their hands and knees due to joint or muscle problems.

– The “Sitting” crawling: Sitting crawling, which can also be described as “buttock crawling,” involves moving forward while the baby is sitting on the floor, but propels itself by pushing with the legs. This type of crawling can be helpful for babies who have not yet developed the necessary coordination to crawl on their hands and knees.

Some babies may prefer one type of crawling over another, and it’s important to let them explore and develop at their own pace. You may also notice that your baby switches between different types of crawling as it grows and develops. Whatever way your baby has chosen as the most comfortable for their initial crawling – don’t worry! They all eventually learn to crawl ”normally” as well as to walk afterwards.

Common mistakes parents make when it comes to baby crawling

There are some things that parents should avoid and be aware of:

– Missing baby tummy time: Baby tummy time is essential for baby’s development and helps strengthen neck and arm muscles. If you are not sure of something, you can always ask your pediatrician. They will never refuse to help you with instructions on when it’s time to start leaving your child in this position, for how long, and etc.

– Overuse of walkers or jumpers: Although these devices may seem like a good way to encourage movement, overusing them can delay the development of crawling and walking skills. This will most probably make your child more unsure in themselves instead the other way around.

– Parental overconcern: It is important to allow your baby to explore the world around them by providing a safe environment. Of course, you need to protect and keep an eye on them, but over-protection is not a good idea, as it can limit your little one’s ability to explore and learn.

– Comparing your baby to others: Every baby develops at their own pace and comparing your baby to others can create unnecessary stress and pressure.

-Focusing too much on the crawling stage: Although milestones are important, focusing too much on them can also help create unnecessary stress and pressure for both the baby and its parents. It is important to remember that each baby develops at their own pace. Always celebrate and enjoy its individual achievements .

What if my baby doesn’t want to crawl?

Rare, but still not entirely impossible, some babies skip crawling and go straight to walking. That is because they may not be interested in crawling as a form of locomotion and choose to skip it altogether, while others may crawl for a short period of time before quickly progressing to walking. Note that failure to crawl, when accompanied by other symptoms (like delayed motor skills or lack of strength) may require a professional consultation as it could be a sign of something more serious.

However, if you want to encourage crawling, you can emphasize the following things:
– Place your baby on their tummy for short periods throughout the day to help them develop neck and arm strength.
– Provide toys and other colorful objects to encourage the baby to move and try to reach them.
– Make sure your baby has a safe and comfortable place to practice crawling, such as a soft play mat or carpeted area.
– Be patient and allow your baby to explore and develop skills at its own pace.