My Baby Bum Shuffles Instead of Crawling
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about bum shuffles instead of crawling, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Your baby bottom shuffles and can also sit independently with good balance.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was previously walking or crawling and has reverted to only bottom shuffling.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, 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. At 7-9 months, some babies start bottom shuffling as soon as they can sit independently. They discover that by using their hands or feet, they can scoot across the floor on their bottom. This is a valid form of early mobility. Bottom shufflers often dislike tummy time and skip the traditional crawling stage entirely. It is generally considered normal when your baby bottom shuffles and can also sit independently with good balance. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was previously walking or crawling and has reverted to only bottom shuffling.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
7-9 months
Some babies start bottom shuffling as soon as they can sit independently. They discover that by using their hands or feet, they can scoot across the floor on their bottom. This is a valid form of early mobility. Bottom shufflers often dislike tummy time and skip the traditional crawling stage entirely.
9-12 months
Your baby may be an efficient bum shuffler by now, scooting across the room at impressive speed. Research shows that bottom shufflers are typically independent sitters who found a way to get around without going through crawling. This is completely normal. Bottom shuffling often runs in families, so ask if anyone else in your family was a bum shuffler.
12-15 months
Bottom shufflers tend to walk a bit later than babies who crawled on hands and knees. If your baby is still shuffling and not yet walking, this is expected. Many bum shufflers walk between 15 and 18 months. As long as your baby is pulling up and showing interest in standing, they are on track.
15-21 months
Most bottom shufflers are walking by 18-21 months. If your baby is not yet walking by 18 months, your pediatrician may recommend an evaluation, but many healthy bum shufflers simply start walking later. If your child is pulling to stand and cruising, walking will likely come soon.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed bum shuffles instead of crawling 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 18 months, still bottom shuffling, and not walking independently.
- Mention if your baby seems unable to pull to stand or shows no interest in upright mobility.
- 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 bottom shuffles and can also sit independently with good balance.
- Your baby uses both sides of their body equally when shuffling.
- There is a family history of bum shuffling or late walking.
- Your baby is pulling to stand and cruising, even if not yet walking independently.
- Your baby is over 18 months, still bottom shuffling, and not walking independently.
- Your baby seems unable to pull to stand or shows no interest in upright mobility.
- Your baby only shuffles in one direction or favors one side of their body.
- Your baby was previously walking or crawling and has reverted to only bottom shuffling.
- Your baby seems to have weakness in their legs or cannot bear weight when held standing.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice bum shuffles instead of crawling — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby bottom shuffles and can also sit independently with good balance — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 7-9 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 previously walking or crawling and has reverted to only bottom shuffling.
Related Conditions
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 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 Isn't Walking
The normal range for first independent steps is huge - anywhere from 9 to 18 months, and all of it is considered typical development. Many parents feel pressure when they see other babies walking early, but a baby who walks at 15 months is just as healthy as one who walks at 10 months.
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 bum shuffles instead of crawling normal?
When should I call the doctor about bum shuffles instead of crawling?
When is bum shuffles instead of crawling normal?
What causes bum shuffles instead of crawling?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about bum shuffles instead of crawling?
Is bum shuffles instead of crawling normal at 7-9 months?
Is bum shuffles instead of crawling normal at 9-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for bum shuffles instead of crawling?
Does bum shuffles instead of crawling go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Bum Shuffles Instead of Crawling.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed bum shuffles instead of crawling 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 18 months, still bottom shuffling, and not walking independently.
- Mention if your baby seems unable to pull to stand or shows no interest in upright mobility.
- 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 18 months, still bottom shuffling, and not walking independently.
- Your baby seems unable to pull to stand or shows no interest in upright mobility.
- Your baby only shuffles in one direction or favors one side of their body.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was previously walking or crawling and has reverted to only bottom shuffling.
- Your baby seems to have weakness in their legs or cannot bear weight when held standing.
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 bum shuffles instead of crawling are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was previously walking or crawling and has reverted to only bottom shuffling.
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 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 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 Isn't Walking
The normal range for first independent steps is huge - anywhere from 9 to 18 months, and all of it is considered typical development. Many parents feel pressure when they see other babies walking early, but a baby who walks at 15 months is just as healthy as one who walks at 10 months.
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.