When Do Babies Start Crawling? A Complete Parent’s Guide
Introduction: The Exciting Crawling Stage
One of the most exciting milestones new parents anticipate is crawling. It’s often the first big step toward independence — the moment your baby begins to explore their world on their own terms. But the question every parent asks is: “When do babies start crawling?”
The answer isn’t the same for every child. Some babies crawl as early as 6 months, while others take their time and may not crawl until closer to 11 months. A few skip crawling altogether and move straight to standing and walking.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about crawling: when babies typically start, the different crawling styles, signs your baby is ready, tips to encourage safe crawling, and answers to common parent questions. By the end, you’ll know what’s normal, what’s not, and how to support your little one’s journey.
When Do Babies Typically Start Crawling?
On average, most babies begin crawling around 8 to 9 months. However, the timeline varies widely:
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Early crawlers: As early as 6 months.
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Average crawlers: Between 8–10 months.
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Later crawlers: 11 months or older — sometimes skipping crawling altogether.
💡 Parent Tip: Don’t panic if your baby hasn’t started crawling by 10 or even 11 months. Many babies develop in their own unique ways. Some go straight to pulling up, standing, or walking. What matters most is steady progress in gross motor skills.
Different Types of Crawling Styles
Not every baby crawls in the same way. In fact, there are several common (and adorable) crawling styles your little one may try out before walking:
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Classic Crawl (Hands-and-Knees): Alternating movement of arms and knees — the “textbook” crawl.
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Commando or Army Crawl: Pulling forward with arms while keeping the tummy flat on the floor.
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Bear Crawl: On hands and feet with legs straightened, hips up — looks like a baby yoga pose.
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Crab Crawl: Moving sideways or even backward, often with one leg tucked under.
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Bottom Scooting: Babies sit upright and shuffle forward on their bottoms instead of using hands and knees.
👉 All of these are normal. Your baby may try several styles before settling on one, or switch between methods depending on the surface.
Signs Your Baby Is Ready to Crawl
You may notice certain behaviors that suggest crawling is right around the corner. Some of these include:
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Sitting independently without support.
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Pushing up onto hands and arms during tummy time.
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Rocking back and forth on hands and knees.
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Rolling across the room to reach toys.
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Lunging forward or reaching for objects just out of grasp.
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Increased core and arm strength from daily play.
💡 Parent Tip: Every milestone builds on the one before. Sitting, rolling, and balancing are all signs that crawling may be just weeks away.
How to Encourage Crawling Development
1. Prioritize Tummy Time
From the newborn stage, tummy time is one of the most important activities for building strength. Start with just a few minutes daily and increase gradually. This helps develop the neck, shoulders, and core muscles babies need to push up and eventually crawl.
2. Create a Safe Play Space
Babies need room to practice. Use a play mat or baby-proofed floor space that’s free of sharp edges, cords, or choking hazards. Avoid hard surfaces — rugs or foam mats are ideal.
3. Use Toys as Motivation
Babies love to move toward something exciting. Place a favorite toy just out of reach to encourage scooting and crawling. Light-up toys, rolling balls, or rattles work especially well.
4. Encourage Floor Play (Limit Baby Gear)
While swings, walkers, and bouncers are convenient, too much time in them can slow down crawling. Babies need hands-on floor practice to learn weight shifting and coordination.
5. Celebrate Small Wins
Every wiggle forward is progress! Clapping, smiling, and cheering help boost your baby’s confidence and motivate them to keep trying.
Crawling Safety Tips
As soon as your baby starts moving, your house becomes a playground. Baby-proofing is essential.
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Always supervise floor play.
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Install baby gates near stairs.
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Cover electrical outlets and tuck away cords.
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Secure heavy furniture and TVs to walls.
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Keep the floor clean and clutter-free to avoid choking hazards.
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Use soft mats or rugs to protect little knees.
Crawling Milestones and Walking Timeline
Parents often wonder how crawling connects to walking. Here’s a general timeline:
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6–9 months: Crawling begins (classic, commando, or scooting styles).
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9–12 months: Babies start pulling up to stand, cruising along furniture.
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12–15 months: First independent steps.
Most babies crawl for about 2–3 months before walking, though some take longer.
Fun Fact: Why Some Babies Skip Crawling
Surprisingly, crawling is not a required milestone for healthy development. Some babies skip crawling and move straight from sitting to walking. Others may prefer bottom scooting or “bear crawling.”
This doesn’t mean anything is wrong. As long as your baby continues progressing — sitting, standing, cruising — their motor development is right on track.
Pros & Cons of Crawling Milestones
| Pros of Crawling | Cons / Challenges |
|---|---|
| Strengthens muscles needed for walking | Can be hard on clothing & knees |
| Improves coordination and balance | Increases risk of bumps and falls |
| Builds independence and confidence | Parents need to baby-proof early |
| Helps spatial awareness and brain development | Some babies resist floor time initially |
FAQs About Crawling
1. Do all babies crawl?
No. Some skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking. This is normal if other motor milestones are met.
2. Is late crawling a problem?
Not usually. Many healthy babies crawl after 10–11 months. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby isn’t sitting, scooting, or pulling up by 12 months.
3. Can babies crawl at 5 months?
Rarely. Some babies may attempt army crawling at 5–6 months, but it’s considered early.
4. How long do babies crawl before walking?
Most crawl for 2–3 months before taking first steps (usually between 12–15 months).
5. What if my baby crawls backward?
Totally normal! Many babies move backward before they figure out how to go forward.
6. Does crawling style affect walking?
Not at all. Whether your baby scoots, crab-crawls, or bear-crawls, they’ll transition to walking when ready.
Additional Tips for Parents
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Give daily floor time: Even 15–20 minutes a few times per day helps.
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Go barefoot indoors: Bare feet help babies grip the floor and build balance.
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Play alongside your baby: Get on the floor with them — babies love to imitate.
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Be patient: Every baby develops at their own pace. Comparing to others often causes unnecessary worry.
Conclusion: Enjoy Every Wiggle and Crawl
Crawling is an exciting chapter in your baby’s journey toward independence. While most start between 6 and 10 months, the exact timing varies — and some may skip crawling altogether.
Whether your little one belly-scoots, bear-crawls, or goes straight to walking, each movement is a sign of healthy growth and motor development.
The best thing you can do as a parent is create a safe, supportive environment, give plenty of tummy time, and celebrate each tiny milestone. Before you know it, your crawler will be pulling up, cruising along furniture, and taking those magical first steps.
So enjoy this stage — it’s one of the most adorable, chaotic, and memorable parts of your parenting journey.