Physical Development

My Baby Bunny Hops When Crawling

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician

Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines

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Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about bunny hops when crawling, here is what you need to know.

The short answer

Bunny hopping, where a baby moves both legs together rather than alternating them while crawling, can be a normal variation but should be monitored. While some babies bunny hop briefly before developing a reciprocal crawling pattern, persistent bunny hopping may indicate tight hip muscles or neurological differences that benefit from evaluation.

Key takeaways

  • Bunny hopping, where a baby moves both legs together rather than alternating them while crawling, can be a normal variation but should be monitored. While some babies bunny hop briefly before developing a reciprocal crawling pattern, persistent bunny hopping may indicate tight hip muscles or neurological differences that benefit from evaluation.
  • Usually normal when: Your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs.
  • Call your doctor if: Your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills.
  • Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know

According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, bunny hopping, where a baby moves both legs together rather than alternating them while crawling, can be a normal variation but should be monitored. While some babies bunny hop briefly before developing a reciprocal crawling pattern, persistent bunny hopping may indicate tight hip muscles or neurological differences that benefit from evaluation. At 7-9 months, when babies first start crawling, some experimentation with movement patterns is normal, including bunny hopping. If your baby has just started moving and bunny hops sometimes but also alternates legs at other times, this may simply be part of learning. Watch over the next few weeks to see if an alternating pattern develops. It is generally considered normal when your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]

Normal vs. Concerning

Usually Normal
Worth Discussing
Your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs.
Your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills.
Your baby bunny hops but can also separate their legs and sit with legs apart.
Your baby cannot move their legs independently at all.
Your baby is developing other motor skills on track.
Your baby exclusively bunny hops and never alternates legs while crawling.
The bunny hopping resolves within a few weeks as crawling matures.
Your baby seems to have stiff legs or difficulty separating them.

By Age

What to expect by age

7-9 months

When babies first start crawling, some experimentation with movement patterns is normal, including bunny hopping. If your baby has just started moving and bunny hops sometimes but also alternates legs at other times, this may simply be part of learning. Watch over the next few weeks to see if an alternating pattern develops.

9-12 months

If your baby exclusively bunny hops and never alternates their legs while crawling, mention it to your pediatrician. Persistent bunny hopping can sometimes indicate increased muscle tone in the legs or hips. However, some babies who bunny hop develop perfectly normally and transition to walking without issues.

12-15 months

If your baby is still bunny hopping and is also starting to pull up and cruise, the bunny hopping alone may not be concerning. However, if you notice stiffness in the legs, toe walking when standing, or difficulty separating the legs, an evaluation is recommended.

15-18 months

If your child has transitioned to walking and seems coordinated, the bunny hopping phase was likely just a variation. If walking also shows unusual patterns like stiff legs or toe walking, discuss with your pediatrician.

What to Tell Your Pediatrician

  • Describe when you first noticed bunny hops when 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 exclusively bunny hops and never alternates legs while crawling.
  • Mention if your baby seems to have stiff legs or difficulty separating them.
  • 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

Probably normal when...
  • Your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs.
  • Your baby bunny hops but can also separate their legs and sit with legs apart.
  • Your baby is developing other motor skills on track.
  • The bunny hopping resolves within a few weeks as crawling matures.
Mention at your next visit when...
  • Your baby exclusively bunny hops and never alternates legs while crawling.
  • Your baby seems to have stiff legs or difficulty separating them.
  • Bunny hopping has persisted for more than 4-6 weeks with no change.
  • Your baby also has toe walking, leg scissoring, or other unusual movement patterns.
Act now when...
  • Your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills.
  • Your baby cannot move their legs independently at all.

What You Can Do at Home

  • Keep track of when you notice bunny hops when crawling — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
  • Remember that your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs — 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 has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills.

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.

My Baby Seems Too Stiff (Hypertonia)

Hypertonia means your baby's muscles feel unusually tight or stiff, making it hard to bend or move their limbs. While some stiffness can be normal during certain movements (like when a baby is startled or upset), persistent stiffness at rest warrants evaluation. Early identification and physical therapy can make a significant difference.

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.

Milestone

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Guide

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 bunny hops when crawling normal?
Bunny hopping, where a baby moves both legs together rather than alternating them while crawling, can be a normal variation but should be monitored. While some babies bunny hop briefly before developing a reciprocal crawling pattern, persistent bunny hopping may indicate tight hip muscles or neurological differences that benefit from evaluation.
When should I call the doctor about bunny hops when crawling?
Your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills. Your baby cannot move their legs independently at all.
When is bunny hops when crawling normal?
Your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs. Your baby bunny hops but can also separate their legs and sit with legs apart. Your baby is developing other motor skills on track.
What causes bunny hops when crawling?
Bunny hopping, where a baby moves both legs together rather than alternating them while crawling, can be a normal variation but should be monitored. While some babies bunny hop briefly before developing a reciprocal crawling pattern, persistent bunny hopping may indicate tight hip muscles or neurological differences that benefit from evaluation. Common explanations include: Your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs.. Your baby bunny hops but can also separate their legs and sit with legs apart..
What should I mention to my pediatrician about bunny hops when crawling?
You should mention bunny hops when crawling at your next visit if: Your baby exclusively bunny hops and never alternates legs while crawling.. Your baby seems to have stiff legs or difficulty separating them.. Bunny hopping has persisted for more than 4-6 weeks with no change..
Is bunny hops when crawling normal at 7-9 months?
When babies first start crawling, some experimentation with movement patterns is normal, including bunny hopping. If your baby has just started moving and bunny hops sometimes but also alternates legs at other times, this may simply be part of learning. Watch over the next few weeks to see if an alternating pattern develops.
Is bunny hops when crawling normal at 9-12 months?
If your baby exclusively bunny hops and never alternates their legs while crawling, mention it to your pediatrician. Persistent bunny hopping can sometimes indicate increased muscle tone in the legs or hips. However, some babies who bunny hop develop perfectly normally and transition to walking without issues.
Should I go to the ER for bunny hops when crawling?
Seek emergency care if your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills, or if your baby cannot move their legs independently at all. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's after-hours line for guidance.
Does bunny hops when crawling go away on its own?
In many cases, bunny hops when crawling resolves on its own, especially when your baby just started crawling and sometimes bunny hops, sometimes alternates legs. By 15-18 months, if your child has transitioned to walking and seems coordinated, the bunny hopping phase was likely just a variation. If walking also shows unusual patterns like stiff legs or toe walking, discuss with your pediatrician.
AAPNIHCDC

References

  1. [1]American Academy of Pediatrics - Movement: 8 to 12 Months AAP
  2. [2]Sanger TD, et al. Classification and Definition of Disorders Causing Hypertonia in Childhood. Pediatrics. 2003;111(1):e89-e97 NIH
  3. [3]CDC - Important Milestones: Your Baby at 9 Months CDC

Doctor Visit Checklist

Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Bunny Hops When Crawling.

Things to mention

  • Describe when you first noticed bunny hops when 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 exclusively bunny hops and never alternates legs while crawling.
  • Mention if your baby seems to have stiff legs or difficulty separating them.
  • 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 exclusively bunny hops and never alternates legs while crawling.
  • Your baby seems to have stiff legs or difficulty separating them.
  • Bunny hopping has persisted for more than 4-6 weeks with no change.

Urgent signs to report immediately

  • Your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing motor skills.
  • Your baby cannot move their legs independently at all.

My notes

From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

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Related Resources

Milestone ChecklistsEarly Intervention DirectoryTummy Time GuideDevelopmental ActivitiesBaby Tracker

Bottom line

Most cases of bunny hops when crawling are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has increasing stiffness in their legs or seems to be losing 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 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.

My Baby Seems Too Stiff (Hypertonia)

Hypertonia means your baby's muscles feel unusually tight or stiff, making it hard to bend or move their limbs. While some stiffness can be normal during certain movements (like when a baby is startled or upset), persistent stiffness at rest warrants evaluation. Early identification and physical therapy can make a significant difference.

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.

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.

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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.