My Baby Isn't Crawling Yet
The short answer
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.
By Age
What to expect by age
Some babies start crawling this early, but many don't. If your baby isn't crawling yet but can roll in both directions, sit with support, and is starting to pivot or scoot while sitting, they're building all the skills they'll need. There's no rush - crawling will come when your baby is ready.
This is the most common age for crawling to start, but plenty of babies still aren't crawling yet. If your baby can sit independently, pivot to reach toys, and is showing interest in moving around (even if they haven't figured out how yet), that's a great sign. Some babies experiment with bottom-scooting, army crawling, or rolling as their first form of mobility before figuring out hands-and-knees crawling - or they skip traditional crawling altogether.
If your baby isn't crawling yet, they should have some other form of independent mobility by now - scooting, rolling to get places, pulling to stand and cruising. As long as your baby is moving around to explore and is working on pulling to stand, the fact that they haven't mastered crawling isn't a concern. Many babies skip crawling entirely. If your baby isn't moving independently at all and isn't trying to pull up, mention it to your pediatrician.
By 12 months, your baby should have some way of getting around independently, whether it's crawling, scooting, cruising, or walking. If your baby is pulling to stand and cruising but never crawled, that's completely fine - some babies just skip that stage. But if your baby isn't mobile at all by 12 months and isn't pulling to stand, talk to your doctor about an evaluation to make sure everything is developing as it should.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 11 months and isn't crawling yet but can sit independently and is showing interest in moving around.
- Your baby has an alternative form of mobility like scooting, rolling, or army crawling.
- Your baby is pulling to stand and cruising along furniture even though they never crawled.
- Your baby was premature - use adjusted age, which can shift motor milestones by weeks or months.
- Your baby is 10-12 months old and has no form of independent mobility - not crawling, scooting, rolling, or cruising.
- Your baby can't sit independently by 9 months or seems very floppy and has poor head and trunk control.
- Your baby uses one side of their body much more than the other when trying to move.
- Your baby doesn't seem interested in exploring, reaching for toys, or trying to get to things across the room.
- Your baby was crawling or moving independently and has stopped - regression in motor skills requires immediate evaluation.
- Your baby seems to have lost strength or can't support their weight on their arms and legs like they used to.
Sources
Related Resources
Related Physical Concerns
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.
My Baby Curls Their Toes
Toe curling is very common in babies and is usually caused by the plantar grasp reflex, which is a normal newborn reflex that causes toes to curl when the sole of the foot is touched. This reflex typically fades by 9-12 months. Occasional toe curling during standing or walking is also normal as babies figure out their balance. Persistent, tight toe curling past 12 months may warrant a mention to your pediatrician.
My Baby Favors One Leg
Babies should use both legs roughly equally when kicking, crawling, and eventually walking. If your baby consistently favors one leg or seems to avoid using the other, it is worth having your pediatrician take a look. The cause is often something simple and treatable, like a minor hip or muscle issue, but early evaluation helps ensure the best outcome.
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby Has Jerky Movements
Newborns and young babies often have jerky, uncoordinated movements because their nervous systems are still developing. What looks like random flailing is actually your baby learning how their body works. These movements typically become smoother and more controlled by 3-4 months as motor skills mature.
Baby Not Bearing Weight on Arms
Bearing weight on the arms is a gradual skill that develops during the first 6 months. Babies first prop up on their forearms around 2 to 4 months, then progress to pushing up on extended arms by 5 to 6 months. Regular tummy time is the best way to build this strength, even if your baby protests at first.