Is Your Baby a Late Bloomer?

.

After Lydia turned 1, Robin began lifting her to her feet so she could hold on to the coffee table. She'd leave Lydia stranded there for a little while, and when Lydia got bored enough, she tried to move. That's how she started cruising at 18 months. Eventually, she took her first steps without holding on. Shocked by her accomplishment, she didn't try again for a week.

Reasons for late crawling in babies

When (or if) a baby crawls often has to do with a baby's personality. Some babies are content with whatever is around them, while others are more curious and interested in exploring.

According to the AAP, most babies start to crawl between 7 and 10 months.2 That said, some children never crawl, which is often totally normal, too. Usually, babies who don't crawl use some other method for getting around, like scooting on their bottoms or slithering on their stomachs.

The AAP says as long as your child coordinates their gross motor movements to use both arms and legs equally, there usually isn't cause for concern. But, it's always a good idea to bring developmental concerns up to a health care provider at your child's well-baby visits.

What you can do to encourage crawling

To encourage your baby to crawl, offer tummy time, which encourages them to use their arms muscles to hold themselves up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests placing a toy or other coveted object just out of reach and encouraging them to move forward to reach it.3 Be sure to celebrate with them when they do!