She Won't Crawl?

Updated on January 25, 2007
S.D. asks from Miami, FL
27 answers

I have 8 month baby girl and for some reason she will not crawl. She sits up perfectly she can pull herself up if you hold her hands and she goes up and down the house with her walker. But for some reason when I put her on the floor in the position to crawl she seems scared and she does not move she just lays her head on her hand and starts to cry (she usually doesn't cry for anything just when she's hungry). I make it fun I even get on all fours and sing, play with her toys, play with the tv which she loves to change the channel when she's in her walker but I can't think of anything else. Does anyone have any advice?

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C.C.

answers from Melbourne on

NOT TO WORRY. FROM THE WAY IT SOUNDS SHE IS GOING TO GO STRAIGHT TO WALKING. I AM A MOTHER TO THREE GROWN DAUGHTERS. AND NOW I AM STARTING OVER w/ A NEW ONE. SHE IS TWO NOW, BUT SHE HAS DONE EVERYTHING DIFFERENT THAN MY OTHER GIRLS.

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E.C.

answers from Boca Raton on

My daughter didn't crawl until 8 1/2 months old. Every baby is different and some crawl early and some later, I wouldn't worry about it.
Good Luck

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T.P.

answers from Lakeland on

she is probably so intelligent that she does not want to crawl she is just going to get up and walk one of my boys only crawled for approx. 1 month ? then he just started walking there isn't anything wrong I promise she will walk 1st.... you watch and see!!! good luck sweetie.

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

not every baby crawls, as you've read ;)
and they all have their own time table (mine crawled at 8.5 months & walked at 15 months)

one thing I would research: I don't think you're supposed to use 'walkers?' or do you mean those push toy things that you walk & push? those are ok, lol. if you mean those things that look like an excersaucer & baby sits in it & walks, ummm someone correct me but I don't think they're even supposed to be sold in the US?
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t110235.asp

also, I'd research as to whether or not you're 'supposed' to hold baby's arms & help them walk (before they're really walking- when they can't do it by themselves)? this is kinda pushing them? I don't know, I was taught by my lactation consultant not to do that...

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C.M.

answers from Miami on

does your daughter move around another way (other than with the walker)? like does she scoot around on her bottom to get where she wants to go? 2 of my friends' daughters never crawled and instead sat on their bottom and used one of their legs to scoot themselves around. they both walked right on time and never had a problem in any other areas. i think it's supposed to be more important that they move on their on than how they move.
however, i would stop using the walker for a while. since she probably knows she can get where she wants to go using that, she may not be motivated to try to move someplace on her own. then try to motivate her to move (scoot, crawl, wiggle, etc.) by holding a favorite toy or food just out of reach and see if she'll try to get to it. if she doesn't try to get someplace on her own after a few weeks of trying this, i would check with your pediatrician.

good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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S.K.

answers from Gainesville on

S., I have a 16 month old little girl and she never really crawled. I tried everything just like you! She would do exactly what Isabella is doing, put her head on her hand and cry. I was worried that something was wrong. She started doing the "army crawl" when she was about 10 months old. When she was around 13 months old she started walking on her own. I am sure Isabella is just fine! Dont worry too much about this. :)

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J.L.

answers from Orlando on

AS A FIRST TIME MOM I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY YOU FEEL WORRIED.LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT ISABELLA WILL MOVE AT HER OWN PACE. SHE MAY EVEN GO STRAIGHT TO WALKING!MY YOUNGEST GIRL,COLLEEN,ACTUALLY CRAWLED BACKWARDS FIRST!I KNOW ITS FRUSTRATING BUT JUST ENJOY THE QUIET TIME NOW.PRETTY SOON YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO CATCH HER,LOL!GOOD LUCK.

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S.M.

answers from Boca Raton on

If you're nervous, bring it up to your pediatrician at one of the regular appointments. If there *is* something wrong, then at least you won't be kicking yourself for not asking about it.

That said, I wouldn't worry. One of our two boys did as the others have suggested; stood up and started walking without ever having crawled a lick.

-Scott (Husband to S.)

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T.H.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hi I am a 24 year old first time mom with an 8 month old son, my son doesn't crawl either and actually at his day care in the infant room the only kids that are crawling are 9.5 months-11 months...

He will also stand up and walk a little when you hold his hands and he will "scooch" around on his belly a bit but no crawling yet. He also loves his walker, he goes everywhere with it, and get in to a lot of mischeif with it because he can get to any where he want to go...LOL

But don't worry about your daughter she will crawl/walk/potty train and everything else in her own time.

Some kids do crawl early but some take their time and that's perfectly normal too.

And even though my son isn't one of the kids in his class who crawls he is the only one with 5 teeth, so all kids are on their own time table, she'll get there probably sooner than you think, sometimes it seems that things they weren't able to do or couldn't do one week, they have completely mastered by the next week....

Happy New Year

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J.W.

answers from Melbourne on

Every baby is different. My son just started doing the army crawl (dragging his belly) and he is 10 months old. It takes time to learn these things! Many babies skip the crawling stage too. Try putting a toy just out of her reach and see if she stretches for it...eventually she will go for it! I wouldn't worry at all.

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P.R.

answers from Orlando on

your child is still in the normal range. Continue to encourage her to rock back and forth on all four. continue to encourage her to crawl. when she does crawl, allow her to enjoy the crawling stage before jumping to the walking stage. Crawling is a necessary and essential part of sensory and motor development.

Pam (Pediatric Specialist)

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L.P.

answers from Boca Raton on

My son didnt crawl, he went from sitting up to pulling himself up and then to walking at 9 months. He was running at 10 months.

I wouldnt worry about it too much.

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L.G.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Hello Stacy,

My 8 month old isn't crawling yet either. She is VERY close, but once she gets on her knees, she lays on her belly, then rolls like crazy to get where she wants to be. I have older children that were the opposite, my son was walking alone by the time he was 7 months old. Just an example that all babies develope @ their own pase. It doesn't mean she is slow, she will get there or she may just skip crawling all together as many babies do. Enjoy every minute, cuz once she is running around, you'll sometimes long for the days she couldn't. :)

L.

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P.P.

answers from Orlando on

HI S.. ONE THING FOR SURE, THERE IS NO NEED TO WORRY. I HAVE SIX KIDS, AND ALL OF THEM DID NOT CRAWL ONE OF MY KIDS I ACTUALLY BELIEVE HE THOUGHT HIS KNEES WAS TO GOOD. I WOULD PUT HIM ON THE FLOOR AND HE WOULD PULL UP ON HIS FEET. HE NEVER DID CRAWL, BUT HE WALKED EARLY. SO,,,,,,,, DON'T FRET.

P.

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B.J.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi S.!

Before going back to school, I was working as a Nurse Asssistant at a local pediatricians office and they used to do a developmental screening called a DENVER test. You can ask your ped if they do these. This test will give you some insight on how well your babe is developing. From what I remember when I would assist in the screening process, some babies "skipped" the crawling stage and started pulling themselves up from sitting position and hold on to furniture. And this was perfectly normal! But if you feel concerned talk to your ped and get reassurance! :) Also, the ped ALWAYS expressed concern for the use of walkers. They tend to hinder development because the child is limited to using the legs and torso and do not get "upper arm" exercise to strengthen those muscles, which in turn can result in the child not sitting up in time or crawling in time. A baby is supposed to develop the upper body first, then the lower body and the walkers don't encourage a "natural" development. I hope this helps, sorry its so long! Best wishes.

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A.S.

answers from Orlando on

If she doesn't crawl, just make sure the does many things that involve gross motor skills. My son is autistic and never crawled and we were told that he never built up his upper body strength because of not crawling. Just make sure your child works on the hands and upper body.

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V.

answers from Boca Raton on

oh a lot of babies are late crawlers or skip crawling completely. my twins started showing interest in crawling around 6 months but did not crawl then it was much later. one of my twins started at around 8 months while the otehr one just had no interest. all you can do is plenty of tummy time and get her favorite toys AWAY from her but within reach if she were to crawl towards them. do not get sucked in into giving her that favorite toy eventually she will wnat it bad enough to crawl to it. but even if she doesn't that doesn't mean at all that something is wrong
relax :)
V.

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B.G.

answers from Daytona Beach on

Eight months is a little too young to be concerned...Besides--like you've been hearing--many babies never crawl...my son included. He scooted on his butt until he was 16 months old before he took his first step! Relax, and don't make comparisons between her and early crawlers...If she's going to crawl, she'll do it when she's ready. Just focus on making tummy time fun, with toys like a splat-mat (plastic water-filled pad with little toys inside that she can swat at)!

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S.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

S.,
No need to worry. My baby who is now almost 2 never really crawled either. My older son as well never crawled. I think they both did it for about 2 days then walked. No kidding either. Both of the boys both did what your daughter Isabella did. They put their heads down and cried.

Isabella may never crawl. Remember one thing all babies do things at their own pace. She one day may surprise you, or never crawl at all. She may just get up and walk. Watch and you will be surprised what she does.

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J.H.

answers from Fort Myers on

Hi S.-
Have you spoken to your pediatrician about this? As long as there isn't a reason for her not to crawl, don't worry about.....some kids go right to walking and never do crawl. My son, who is now 17, walked at 10 months old, never crawled. Some things I might try is to sit her on the floor and put her toys slightly out of reach, that way if she wants it, she's got to work to get it.

I know it's hard to trust that things will happen in their own time, but they will.

K.H.

answers from Fort Myers on

ok...excuse me if i am wrong, or sound offensive (after all my kids are 7 and 8 now). However....i read the article linked in another response to the walker issue.And I was kinda mad. My daughters both used walkers, crawled early and walked early. I know technology and information is at an all time high these days. But I feel like the problem with today's child-rearing world is that people DON'T WATCH THEIR KIDS. by all means if you are leaving the walker to babysit-thats wrong; as it would be with any other device including a bouncy seat or playpen. (or tv). But if your baby is comfortable in the walker and seems interested in moving around ( not just being a lazy lump) I would say let her be. Keep playing with her on the floor, it's fun and good excercize for both of you. And another thing i used to do is put a big blankie on the floor and put all her toys on the outskirts, lay her on her bellie and before you know it, shes there. Bottom line, have fun with her, ENJOY her and RELAX! Its hard to believe how fast they grow.
Good luck!! (ps I have two beautiful healthy kids that are incredibly smart and active and I never picked up a book or looked on a website so GO WITH YOUR GUTS!!!!!)

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M.M.

answers from Lakeland on

Some babies just go straight to walking, I wouldn't worry about it if she is otherwise healthy :)
One of my three boys never crawled.
Cheers,
mm

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S.K.

answers from Orlando on

You're pushing the baby to do something that she don't want to do too much. Babies do things when they feel like it. With my first son I was like that too but with the baby I let him do things on his own and he learn to walk at 10 month.

S.

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C.C.

answers from Lakeland on

I know where you are coming from, my daughter (also my first) never crawled she would sit up, roll over, and even stand all by herself but never crawled. But, one morning she just came walking out of her room at about 10 months old. Your daughter will do things when she's ready but don't fret because no matter how much you worry she's laughing at you on the inside and will surprise you when you least expect it.

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E.S.

answers from Miami on

Please don't worry!
Some babies crawl AFTER they walk.
She just may not be interested. And if she is scared, the last thing you'll want to do is push her. Also just because she won't doesn't mean she can't.
As long as at your daughter's check ups are "normal" (neurologically, physically, emotionally) If you let her be, She'll come around.

P.s. My oldest son, was walking around a table (holding on) at 6 mos. He sat up, rolled over and did pretty much everything else early. BUT he would NOT move on his own until the day he was 9 mos.
The day he turned 9 mos. he took is first 3 steps. A couple of days later he randomly began crawling. He crawled for a couple of weeks and then just picked back up walking. By the time he was 10 mos. he was walking all over the place. Happy happy happy as can be,

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V.S.

answers from Lakeland on

This is normal. My daughter sat up at 6 mos, but WOULD NOT crawl to save her life til 10 mos. and walked at 15 mos. Just their personalities...make note, this is foreshadowing on other things too. I realized Emma had her own timetable with certain things. But keep doing what you're doing with her and one day she'll do it.

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S.Z.

answers from Orlando on

That is perfectly normal. Don't stress about it at all. Some babies skip the whole crawling stage. My daughter Bella is 9 months old, almost 10 months... and she started dragging herself around like a seal on the floor about a month ago. I thought she would never get the hang of it, and to be honest I am out of breath chasing after her all the time. The age that babies crawl differ from one baby to the next. It really is no reason to worry. If you are concerned talk to her pediatrician about it. I'm sure they will tell you that it is normal too!

S.

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