Baby Crawling Guide: Stages, Types & How to Encourage Crawling 

Introduction

Parents often feel very happy and excited when their baby crawls for the first time, and quickly go onto recording this special moment. Crawling is an important step in a baby’s growth. Crawling helps babies move independently, explore their surroundings, and learn about the world around them¹. Most babies usually start crawling between 7 and 10 months of age². Reaching movement milestones at the right time shows that a baby is developing well.  

In this blog, we will look at the stages of crawling, different types of baby crawling, and simple ways to encourage crawling in babies. 

When Do Babies Start Crawling?

Crawling is an important motor milestone in a baby’s development. It is the stage when babies start crawling on their own using their hands, knees, or sometimes their tummy. Crawling helps in strengthening the muscles, improving balance, and developing coordination between the eyes and hands. It also helps babies understand space and prepares them for future movements like standing and walking³. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy babies may begin crawling at different ages, and this variation is considered normal. Crawling can start as early as 5 months or as late as 12 months without indicating a developmental problem⁴. Differences in growth, environment, and opportunities for movement influence baby crawling age, and starting earlier or later is usually normal⁵.

Baby Crawling Age Chart

Babies develop motor skills at their own pace, and the age at which they reach milestones can vary widely. The table below shows typical age ranges for common motor milestones, giving a sense of what many babies do between 5 and 10 months, without implying that any milestone is required by a certain age. 

Most babies follow a general sequence of motor development. Typically, babies first learn to sit without support, which helps strengthen their back and neck muscles. Around 6 months, many begin hands-and-knees crawling, exploring the world with more freedom. Some babies may pull themselves to stand with support before or after crawling, and others may skip crawling entirely⁶.

Baby Crawling Stages

Every baby learns to crawl differently, and there is no single fixed pattern that all babies follow. Most infants use more than one crawling position before learning to walk, and some stages may overlap, appear briefly, or be skipped altogether. This variation is a normal part of development⁷. 

Here are the different baby crawling stages: 

• Tummy time Stage: In the earliest stage, babies may not be able to lift their head independently. Gradually, they gain control and stability of the head^8,9. They begin to lift their head and push the upper body upward while lying on their tummy¹⁰. 
• Rolling Over Stage: Around four months, babies may start rolling to their side and from their stomach to their back first. By six months, they can roll from tummy to back or back to tummy. Around seven months, many babies roll both ways easily and confidently^8,9. 
• Hands Support Stage: At about 4 to 6 months, babies push up on outstretched hands. This strengthens their arms, shoulders, and trunk muscles and teaches them to bear weight on arms needed for crawling^9,11.
• Rocking Stage: As babies grow stronger, they begin rocking on their hands and knees. Their arms are often stronger than their legs, so they may move backward at first. With practice, they learn to push forward toward objects².
• Tummy Crawl Stage/Commando Crawling: Around 6 to 8 months, some babies begin crawling flat on their abdomen. This stage, when it occurs, always comes just before the typical hands-and-knees crawling^10,11.

Advanced Crawling: Around 8-12 months, different types of crawls are there like bear, crab, bottom scoot, belly, rolling and classic; all these types of crawling are normal^8,12. 

As babies move through these stages, they gradually develop the strength, coordination, and balance needed to begin crawling independently. Parents can look for specific signs that indicate their baby is ready to start crawling. 

Signs Baby Is Ready to Crawl

When babies start moving around more, you can see some signs that they are ready to crawl. 

• They can sit up by themselves and reach for toys without falling. 
• They roll over from back to tummy and back again. 
• They rock on their hands and knees like they are practising crawling².
• They may begin army crawling, where they move forward by pulling with their arms while keeping their stomach close to the floor¹².

These signs mean your baby is getting stronger and learning how to move². 

Types of Baby Crawling

Watching a baby learn to crawl is interesting, and it is exciting to see how they move. Babies can crawl in different ways, and all types are normal. How a baby crawls is not as important as when they start walking because all styles help build strength and coordination. These are some common types of baby crawling: 

• Classic Hands-and-Knees Crawl: This is the most common crawl. Babies put their hands and knees on the floor and move one hand and the opposite knee at the same time. Babies who crawl this way move diagonally and even after switching from belly crawling, they can still tell which slopes are safe and which are risky^11,12.
• Bear Crawl: In this crawl, babies keep their arms and legs straight and move on their hands and feet. It looks like a little bear walking and helps them strengthen their arms and legs¹². 
• Belly Crawl: Also called commando crawl. Babies drag their belly along the floor to move forward. Not all babies do this, but it usually comes just before hands-and-knees crawling and helps prepare muscles for stronger movement^11,12.
• Bottom Scoot: Some babies move by sitting and scooting forward using their arms. This is another way to explore and strengthen their body. 
• Crab Crawl: In this crawl, babies move sideways or backward using their hands. This helps them learn balance and control in different directions. 
• Rolling Crawl: Some babies roll from one place to another instead of crawling. This is less common, but it still helps them explore and practice moving independently¹².

These types of crawling show how babies try different ways to move, and parents can watch and encourage them to practice crawling safely.  

How to Help Baby Crawl Naturally?

Helping babies learn to crawl can be fun, and there are many ways parents can encourage them to move on their own. These activities also support their muscle development and coordination. 

1. Place Toys Just Out of Reach

Put toys or objects slightly beyond your baby’s reach. This encourages her to stretch and move forward, which helps her practice crawling. 

2. Create Small Obstacle Courses

Use pillows, boxes, or sofa cushions to make a mini course. Crawling around these objects helps the baby get stronger and learn to move in different directions. 

3. Play Peek-a-boo Games

Hide behind a pillow or box and call your baby to come. This makes crawling fun and motivates the baby to move toward you². 

4. Encourage Tummy and Floor Time

Let your baby spend time on her tummy and on the floor. This helps her build the muscles she needs to crawl and explore safely¹². Place a rolled-up towel under your baby’s arms to gently support the upper body while practicing movement¹³.

5. Model and Assist

You can get on the floor and show the baby how to move on all four limbs. They will see and want to mimic your actions. If they are in the right position but unable to move, place your hand behind their feet and give a gentle push to help them propel forwards. 

These activities help babies build confidence and improve their movement skills. In addition, remember to babyproof the home by removing sharp objects, covering outlets, and keeping small or harmful items out of reach to create a safe crawling space¹⁴.

When Parents Should Be Concerned?

Some babies do not crawl in the usual way, and this can be normal. They may move by scooting on their bottom or sliding on their stomach². In some cases, babies start walking or moving upright first, and crawling may come later to reach objects or move around¹⁰.

Signs parents should watch for: 

• Motor development milestones (rolling over, sitting, or walking) not achieved as per age. 
• Difficulty holding the head and neck steady by 5 months. 
• No form of independent mobility (any type of crawling) by 12 months. 
• Muscles that are very stiff or very floppy (cannot hold weight). 
• Problems with balance or walking in an unusual way^15,16.

Even if a baby does not crawl like other children, it is important to watch how she moves and uses both arms and legs. If you notice any of these signs, speak with a paediatrician to make sure your baby is developing safely².

Conclusion

Crawling is a really important part of a baby’s growth, but it is also different for every child because all babies learn at their own speed. Some babies crawl in the usual way on their hands and knees, while others slide on their tummy, scoot on their bottom, or even start walking first. What really matters is that they are getting stronger, learning to balance, and moving around safely. Parents can help by giving their baby toys to reach for, making little obstacle courses, and letting them spend time on their tummy and floor. If you notice any big delays or unusual movements, it is best to check with a doctor so your baby stays healthy and safe.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Reference

1. Kretch KS, Dusing SC, Harbourne RT, Hsu L, Sargent B, Willett SL. Early Mobility and Crawling: Beliefs and Practices of Pediatric Physical Therapists in the United States. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2023 Dec 18. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10873088/ 

2. American Academy of Pediatrics. Movement: 8 to 12 Months [Internet]. HealthyChildren.org. 2021. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Movement-8-to-12-Months.aspx 

3. Yamamoto S, Yonghi L, Matsumura U, Tsurusaki T. Diversity and regularity in infant crawling with typical development. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2020;32(8):483–8. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7443550/ 

4. Percentiles and mean in days and months for six gross motor milestones [Internet]. [cited 2026 Feb 8]. Available from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/child-growth/child-growth-standards/indicators/motor-development-milestones/mm_percentiles_table.pdf?sfvrsn=81f3b60b_5 

5. Tupsila R, Siritaratiwat W, Bennett S, Mato L, Keeratisiroj O. Intra-Individual Variability in Gross Motor Development in Healthy Full-Term Infants Aged 0–13 Months and Associated Factors during Child Rearing. Children [Internet]. 2022 May 30 [cited 2022 Aug 11];9(6):801. Available from: https://mdpi-res.com/children/children-09-00801/article_deploy/children-09-00801.pdf?version=1653904852 

6. WHO Motor Development Study: Windows of achievement for six gross motor development milestones WHO MULTICENTRE GROWTH REFERENCE STUDY GROUP. Available from: https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/child-growth/child-growth-standards/indicators/motor-development-milestones/who-motor-development-study-windows-of-achievement-for-six-gross-motor-development-milestones.pdf?sfvrsn=3425c1dc_0 

7. Adolph KE, Vereijken B, Denny MA. Learning to crawl. Child Development [Internet]. 1998 Oct 1;69(5):1299–312. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9839417/ 

8. Validity of Outcome Measures [Internet]. Nih.gov. Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health; 2018. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK533982/ 

9. Ruffin N. Understanding Growth and Development Patterns of Infants. Publication 350‑055. Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech; 2019. Available from: https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/d2873fcd-c25a-43b5-bb21-0e55c48d4021/content 

 10. Kretch KS, Willett SL, Hsu LY, Sargent BA, Harbourne RT, Dusing SC. “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”: Updates and Implications for Physical Therapists. Pediatric Physical Therapy [Internet]. 2022;34(4):10.1097/PEP.0000000000000937. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/pedpt/Fulltext/9900/_Learn_the_Signs__Act_Early____Updates_and.20.aspx 

11. Adolph KE, Berger SE, Leo AJ. Developmental continuity? Crawling, cruising, and walking. Developmental Science. 2011 Feb 18;14(2):306–18.Available from:https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3050596/ 

12. Crawling Styles [Internet]. HealthyChildren.org. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Crawling-Styles.aspx 

13. National Institutes of Health. Benefits of Tummy Time | Safe to Sleep® [Internet]. https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/. 2024. Available from: https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/reduce-risk/tummy-time  

14. Childproofing Your Home – Several Safety Devices to Help Protect Your Children from Home Hazards [Internet]. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 2023. Available from: https://www.cpsc.gov/safety-education/safety-guides/kids-and-babies/Childproofing-Your-Home  

15. Developmental delay guidance [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk/services/cambridgeshire-childrens-physiotherapy-service/developmental-delay-guidance/ 

16. Healthy Children. Is Your Baby’s Physical Development on Track? [Internet]. HealthyChildren.org. 2019. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Is-Your-Babys-Physical-Development-on-Track.aspx 

17. Zhang L, Deng CF, Liu Y, Chen L, Xiao N, Zhai SJ, et al. Impacts of Motor Developmental Delay on the Inter-Joint Coordination Using Kinematic Synergies of Joint Angles During Infant Crawling. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 2022 Jan 1;30:1664–74.Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35675252/ 

18. American Academy of Pediatrics. Movement Milestones: Babies 4 to 7 Months [Internet]. HealthyChildren.org. 2021. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Movement-4-to-7-Months.aspx 

19. Safety for Your Child: 6 to 12 Months [Internet]. HealthyChildren.org. 2018. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/Pages/Safety-for-Your-Child-6-to-12-Months.aspx 

20. Whitney PG, Green JA. Changes in infants’ affect related to the onset of independent locomotion. Infant Behavior and Development. 2011 Jun;34(3):459–66.Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163638311000518?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.