My Baby Isn't Crawling
The short answer
Here's something that surprises many parents: crawling is not actually a required developmental milestone. The CDC removed it from their milestone checklist because many healthy babies skip crawling entirely and go straight to pulling up, cruising, or walking. If your baby is finding ways to move and explore, they're doing great.
By Age
What to expect by age
Most babies aren't crawling yet at this age, so there's truly nothing to worry about. Your baby might be rocking on hands and knees, pivoting on their tummy, or rolling to get around. These are all building blocks, and every one of them counts as progress.
This is when many babies start crawling, but "crawling" looks different for every baby. Some do a classic hands-and-knees crawl, others army crawl, bum scoot, crab walk, or bear walk. All of these are perfectly valid ways of getting around. What matters is that your baby is motivated to move and explore.
If your baby isn't crawling or using any other method to get around by 10 months, it's worth checking in with your pediatrician - not because crawling itself matters, but because some form of independent mobility by this age is a helpful sign. Many babies at this stage are more interested in pulling up to stand than crawling.
Some babies skip crawling and walk first, and that's genuinely fine. If your baby isn't crawling or walking or using any method to move independently, bring it up with your doctor. But if they're pulling up, cruising furniture, or starting to take steps, they've simply chosen a different path - literally.
By this age, the question is less about crawling and more about whether your baby has some form of independent mobility. If they're walking or close to it, crawling is irrelevant. If they're not moving independently at all, an evaluation can help determine whether there's anything to support.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 10 months and uses any method to get around - rolling, scooting, army crawling, or bum shuffling all count.
- Your baby skips crawling entirely and goes straight to pulling up and cruising along furniture.
- Your baby crawls in an unconventional way (backward, sideways, one-legged) - creative movers are still movers.
- Your baby was premature - use adjusted age for milestones.
- Your baby is more interested in standing and bouncing than getting on all fours - they may walk before they crawl, and that's okay.
- Your baby is over 10 months and doesn't use any method at all to move independently (no rolling, scooting, crawling, or pulling up).
- Your baby seems to drag one side of their body or has an asymmetric movement pattern when trying to get around.
- Your baby doesn't seem interested in reaching for toys or moving toward things they want.
- Your baby has stopped moving or lost mobility they previously had - any regression in motor skills warrants prompt evaluation.
- Your baby's legs seem stiff and cross when you hold them upright, or they consistently can't bear weight on their legs by 10-12 months.
Sources
Related Resources
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Curls Their Toes
Toe curling is very common in babies and is usually caused by the plantar grasp reflex, which is a normal newborn reflex that causes toes to curl when the sole of the foot is touched. This reflex typically fades by 9-12 months. Occasional toe curling during standing or walking is also normal as babies figure out their balance. Persistent, tight toe curling past 12 months may warrant a mention to your pediatrician.
My Baby Favors One Leg
Babies should use both legs roughly equally when kicking, crawling, and eventually walking. If your baby consistently favors one leg or seems to avoid using the other, it is worth having your pediatrician take a look. The cause is often something simple and treatable, like a minor hip or muscle issue, but early evaluation helps ensure the best outcome.
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby Has Jerky Movements
Newborns and young babies often have jerky, uncoordinated movements because their nervous systems are still developing. What looks like random flailing is actually your baby learning how their body works. These movements typically become smoother and more controlled by 3-4 months as motor skills mature.
Baby Not Bearing Weight on Arms
Bearing weight on the arms is a gradual skill that develops during the first 6 months. Babies first prop up on their forearms around 2 to 4 months, then progress to pushing up on extended arms by 5 to 6 months. Regular tummy time is the best way to build this strength, even if your baby protests at first.