My Baby Skipped Crawling and Went Straight to Walking
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about skipped crawling and went straight to walking, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Skipping crawling entirely is normal and is not associated with any developmental delays. Research shows that about 4-7% of babies never crawl and go directly from sitting to pulling up and walking. The CDC removed crawling from their developmental milestone checklist because it is not a required step for healthy development.
Key takeaways
- Skipping crawling entirely is normal and is not associated with any developmental delays. Research shows that about 4-7% of babies never crawl and go directly from sitting to pulling up and walking. The CDC removed crawling from their developmental milestone checklist because it is not a required step for healthy development.
- Usually normal when: Your baby skipped crawling but is pulling to stand, cruising, or walking.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby has lost motor skills they previously had.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to CDC, AAP, WHO guidelines, skipping crawling entirely is normal and is not associated with any developmental delays. Research shows that about 4-7% of babies never crawl and go directly from sitting to pulling up and walking. The CDC removed crawling from their developmental milestone checklist because it is not a required step for healthy development. At 7-9 months, if your baby sits well, can pivot while sitting, and is starting to pull up on furniture but shows no interest in crawling, they may be one of the babies who skip this stage. As long as they have a way to explore their environment and are progressing toward upright mobility, there is nothing to worry about. It is generally considered normal when your baby skipped crawling but is pulling to stand, cruising, or walking. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby has lost motor skills they previously had.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
7-9 months
If your baby sits well, can pivot while sitting, and is starting to pull up on furniture but shows no interest in crawling, they may be one of the babies who skip this stage. As long as they have a way to explore their environment and are progressing toward upright mobility, there is nothing to worry about.
9-12 months
Some babies go directly from sitting to pulling up and cruising along furniture. If your baby is pulling to stand and cruising but has never crawled, this is a normal developmental path. Your baby may be more interested in being upright and is building skills toward walking instead.
12-15 months
If your baby skipped crawling and is now walking or close to walking, there is nothing to be concerned about. Research shows no long-term developmental differences between babies who crawled and those who did not. Your baby found their own path to walking.
15-18 months
By this age, if your child is walking well, the fact that they never crawled is of no concern. If your child is not yet walking and also never crawled, discuss this with your pediatrician, as the combination of both delayed walking and absent crawling warrants evaluation.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed skipped crawling and went straight to walking 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 with no form of independent mobility at all.
- Mention if your baby seems to have low muscle tone or difficulty with upright positions.
- 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 skipped crawling but is pulling to stand, cruising, or walking.
- Your baby has another form of mobility such as scooting or rolling.
- Your baby has good muscle tone and uses both sides of their body equally.
- Your baby is meeting other developmental milestones on time.
- Your baby is over 12 months with no form of independent mobility at all.
- Your baby seems to have low muscle tone or difficulty with upright positions.
- Your baby avoids weight bearing on their legs and does not pull to stand by 12 months.
- Your baby has lost motor skills they previously had.
- Your baby cannot sit independently by 9 months and shows no interest in any form of movement.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice skipped crawling and went straight to walking — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby skipped crawling but is pulling to stand, cruising, or walking — 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 lost motor skills they previously had.
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 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.
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 skipped crawling and went straight to walking normal?
When should I call the doctor about skipped crawling and went straight to walking?
When is skipped crawling and went straight to walking normal?
What causes skipped crawling and went straight to walking?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about skipped crawling and went straight to walking?
Is skipped crawling and went straight to walking normal at 7-9 months?
Is skipped crawling and went straight to walking normal at 9-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for skipped crawling and went straight to walking?
Does skipped crawling and went straight to walking go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Skipped Crawling and Went Straight to Walking.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed skipped crawling and went straight to walking 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 with no form of independent mobility at all.
- Mention if your baby seems to have low muscle tone or difficulty with upright positions.
- 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 with no form of independent mobility at all.
- Your baby seems to have low muscle tone or difficulty with upright positions.
- Your baby avoids weight bearing on their legs and does not pull to stand by 12 months.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby has lost motor skills they previously had.
- Your baby cannot sit independently by 9 months and shows no interest in any form of movement.
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 skipped crawling and went straight to walking are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby has lost motor skills they previously had.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
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 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.
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.