My Baby Only Army Crawls
The short answer
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
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By Age
What to expect by age
Army crawling at this age is very common and is often the first form of mobile crawling babies develop. Your baby is learning to coordinate their arms and legs and building core strength. Many babies army crawl for several weeks before progressing to hands-and-knees crawling. This is completely age-appropriate and a wonderful milestone.
Some babies are still army crawling at this age while others have moved on to hands-and-knees crawling. Both are perfectly normal. If your baby is efficiently army crawling across the room to get what they want, they are developing well. You may notice them start to push up onto hands and knees and rock, which is a precursor to traditional crawling.
If your baby is still exclusively army crawling, that is still fine as long as they are mobile and exploring. Many babies who are efficient army crawlers transition directly to pulling up, cruising, and walking. If your baby is using both sides of their body equally while army crawling and is also pulling to stand, there is no cause for concern.
By this age, most babies have moved on to other forms of mobility such as cruising or walking. If your baby is still only army crawling and is not pulling to stand or showing interest in upright mobility, mention it to your pediatrician. Some babies who continue to army crawl exclusively may benefit from a physical therapy evaluation to check for core weakness.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 10 months and is army crawling effectively to explore.
- Your baby uses both arms and both legs equally while army crawling.
- Your baby is also starting to pull up to stand or cruise along furniture.
- Your baby was a preemie and is hitting milestones on their adjusted age timeline.
- Your baby is over 12 months and is still only army crawling with no interest in pulling up or cruising.
- Your baby seems to drag one side of their body or favors one arm while army crawling.
- Your baby appears to have difficulty pushing up onto hands and knees at all by 10 months.
- Your baby was army crawling and has stopped moving independently, or has lost other motor skills.
- Your baby seems to be in pain when trying to crawl or move.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Isn't Crawling Yet
The age range for crawling is huge - some babies crawl as early as 6 months, others not until 10-11 months, and some skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking. What matters most is that your baby has some form of independent mobility (scooting, rolling, army crawling) by around 12 months and is exploring their environment.
My Baby Scoots Instead of Crawling
Some babies skip traditional hands-and-knees crawling entirely and scoot on their bottoms, army crawl on their bellies, or invent other creative ways to get around. As long as your baby is moving independently and exploring their environment by 12 months, the method they choose doesn't matter. Many bottom-scooters go straight to walking and never crawl at all.
My Baby Bum Shuffles Instead of Crawling
Bottom shuffling (bum shuffling) is a normal alternative to crawling used by about 9% of babies. Bottom shufflers often walk later than crawlers, typically around 18 months, but they develop perfectly normally. It tends to run in families and is not a sign of a developmental problem.
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.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.