My Baby Only Army Crawls
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about only army crawls, here is what you need to know.
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 10 months and is army crawling effectively to explore.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was army crawling and has stopped moving independently, or has lost other motor skills.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, WHO guidelines, 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. At 6-8 months, 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. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 10 months and is army crawling effectively to explore. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was army crawling and has stopped moving independently, or has lost other motor skills.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-8 months
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.
8-10 months
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.
10-12 months
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.
12-18 months
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 to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed only army crawls and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 12 months and is still only army crawling with no interest in pulling up or cruising.
- Mention if your baby seems to drag one side of their body or favors one arm while army crawling.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
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.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice only army crawls — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 10 months and is army crawling effectively to explore — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-8 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby was army crawling and has stopped moving independently, or has lost other motor skills.
Related Conditions
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.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is only army crawls normal?
When should I call the doctor about only army crawls?
When is only army crawls normal?
What causes only army crawls?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about only army crawls?
Is only army crawls normal at 6-8 months?
Is only army crawls normal at 8-10 months?
Should I go to the ER for only army crawls?
Does only army crawls go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Only Army Crawls.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed only army crawls and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is over 12 months and is still only army crawling with no interest in pulling up or cruising.
- Mention if your baby seems to drag one side of their body or favors one arm while army crawling.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- 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.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- 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.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of only army crawls are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was army crawling and has stopped moving independently, or has lost other motor skills.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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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.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.