From sitting to walking?

[Poshpaws]

Did anyone's baby not crawl at all?

Just wondering, as DS2 is nearly 9 months, hates going on his front and when he is, makes no real effort to get up onto his hands and knees, but he has very strong legs, so if you try to get him to sit down, his legs will be dead straight. Also, he is constantly trying to stand up and hold onto things. He doesn't pull himself up, but because he 'refuses' to sit down, he grabs onto something to ensure that he stays upright.

I'm not really worried as I have heard that some babies don't crawl. However, all the babies I have ever known have.

Should I be encouraging him to crawl or even stand up?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

[nailpolish]

hi poshpaws

9 mths is still a bit young for you to be worrying about this IME anyway.

if i were you i would just let him lie on the floor, hell probably start rolling about

xx

ps ive met a couple of babies who dont crawl

[BonyM]

Hi poshpaws - funnily enough I was reading an article in Junior magazine yesterday about non-crawlers. It is becoming more common apparently due to the "back to sleep" campaign. A lot of parents don't put their babies on their fronts at all and that is why some of them never crawl.

In brief, the article said that some babies will go straight to walking but they will usually start walking later than crawlers. Crawling is an important developmental stage as helps build certain muscles important for writing etc. and also the mental processes used in crawling help with other stuff later in life (sorry, know this sounds vague but trying to remember the details).

Apparently 70% of dyslexic children didn't crawl as babies, although it doesn't follow that a non-crawler will be dyslexic.

I would encourage him to crawl if you can but don't stress too much if he doesn't. If you can get hold of a copy of the mag. it's an interesting article.

Oh - one tip for babies that don't like being on their tummies is to put them on your chest while you're lying down as it's more reassuring for them then being face down on the floor.

HTH

[popsycalindisguise]

DS2 is 11 months now - he didn't crawl until Christmas day - almost 10 months. Didnt go on hands and knees until much before that.

Within a week of first crawling, he was standing, 'cruising' etc and can stand for a few seconds unadied.

You might find that once he crawls, all the rest comes very quickly.

FWIW, the only reason ds2 crawled on Christmas day was the sheer urge to get in amongst the wrapping paper

[frogs]

None of my three crawled all were bottom shufflers. They were all mobile relatively late def. after first birthday with all of them. Late walkers too.

No adverse affects wrt reading ability either -- dd1 was a freakishly early reader, onto Mr Majeika etc by the time she turned 5. Ds is now 6.5 and reading eg. Harry Potter by himself, so probably safe to say not disadvantaged by their lack of crawling.

Crawling vs bottomshuffling probably has a high genetic component, but presumably environment as well, since both dh and I did crawl as babies. But then we would have been put to sleep on our fronts (late 60s/early 70s). Whereas my three all went apeshit if laid on their fronts.

Don't stress about it -- sounds fine to me. I had lots of adverse comments, particularly with dd2 who moved down the centiles with astonishing rapidity. So although the Drs were mumbling about her 'delayed gross motor skills' I knew enough to be confident that that was normal for my children.

[LynnC]

Hi Poshpaws, my dd was exactly the same, hated getting put on hands and knees and loved us holding her hands so she would walk around. She didnt crawl till christmas eve when she was just over 11 months and started walking two weeks later and now just over 1 year is running about the full house.

I think 9 months might be bit young for him to pull himself up yet. Just go with whatever makes him happy, he will find his own way eventually.

[choccywoccydoodaa]

My ds is 10 monthsand has no interest in crawling whatsoever. He gets around quite effectively by shuffling and like your little one hates getting beached on his front. I have no concerns at all - I just figure these babies do things in their own time.

[Poshpaws]

Thanks for the replies. It's probably that old comparison thing again - DS1 was crawling by now. Logic tells me I shouldn't compare, but...

Thanks again.

[Hulababy]

DD only crawled briefly, and then very infrequently, for about a month. She was always wanting to be on her feet. She hated being on her front and preferred to stand or sit (too nosey!) every time. DD was standing up holding onto things pretty early on - by 5 months. That is what she preferred, so I just let her (surrounding her with cushions in case!!!)

[mszebra]

My mom said I never crawled (or bumshuffled, or any non-walking other than maybe rolling), but instead I stood up & walked at 9 months.
Friend reputedly did the same.. but at 16 months!

[kid]

My DD hated being on her tummy and she never did crawl. She did bumshuffle from around 12 months but didn't walk until 21 months.

Interested in the fact about the crawling helping muscles needed for writing as DD's writing is pretty bad.

DS did crawl at 7 months and was up and walking around furniture within 2 weeks. Its hard not to compare childrens milestones, especially when the 2nd child seems to do things later than the first.

I think that encouraging a short period of time on their tummy each day will help, some toys just out of reach annoy but encourage them to move. Remember though, once they are mobile, they are much harder to look after!

[mumofmia]

My dd is just turned 1 yr old and does not walk or crawl yet! She quite happy just sitting playing although has just started to bum shuffle. She screams if you lie her on her front too long so don't think she will crawl either.

I know what you mean about comparing though. My nephew is 10 days older but has been walking and crawling for waht seems like forever!

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

DD never crawled - didnt want to. At 7 months she would shuffle/commando crawl to the nearest object and pull herself up to standing. Although she spent lots of time on her tummy playing she wasnt interested in crawling.

She started walking at 9 months.

[JendleWendleBells]

My son crawled at 9 mts and walked at 14 mts. He hated being on his tummy but once he started to have the strength to push up and then to crawl he was off!

Really interested by the Junior article b/c I am a teacher in developmental baby massage and movement and one of the key key key things we tell mums is to get your baby onto its tummy for daytime playtime (not for sleeping) and we have a technique for babies that have never been used to it. Tummy time and crawling are a vital part of development. Crawling builds upper body strength, strong back and arms, hip flexibility, opens up the chest, facilitates deeper breathing, improves coordination. Bum shuffling collapses the chest, does nothing for back or leg strength and hip flexibility or coordination. The technique we use is basically getting the baby to get strength into the back so that when they are on their front they have the strength to push up and then to crawl. You can find out more on www.thebabyswebsite.com/site/

[jambot]

My DD only crawled at 10 months and 1 week. She always hated being on her tummy and only wanted to stand. I didn't think she would want to crawl but she's doing it beautifully and in the three weeks since then can pull up and get down again, cruise from one piece of furniture to the next and stand unsupported for a few seconds. She is 11 months next week and am sure it won't be long before she walks. Also baring in mind she only sat at 7 and a half months and only rolled right over at 9 months. My paediatrician said that everything she has done is totally within the acceptable time range, which is pretty broad. I wouldn't worry at all right now.

[harriea]

My Ds is nearly 8 months old and is not even sitting yet. Hates being on his tummy, hasn't rolled over once yet. I am not that bothered although perhaps I should be.....! My neice was just the same and now at 2 has fully caught up.

[mommie]

if it's any consolation, my dd (16 months) does not crawl at all or walk. she's a bottom shuffler. paediatrician says nothing obviously wrong so she will see her again in five MONTHS time!