8 Month Old Not Crawling Yet

Hi G.,

What an incredible resource this is. So much support from so many wise mothers.

I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said. My son never crawled, but he could certainly get around on his bottom, pulling himself along with his legs. Today, he is 22 years old and just graduated from NYU. All babies are different, but being worried (a good part of the time) just comes with the territory; especially with a first child.

There are a series of books that you can probably find at the library in the parenting section. They are written by Louise Aims. The books are titled, "Your 1 Year Old", Your 2 Year Old", etc. They are wonderful books that help you to understand your child's developmental process.

When I discovered these books, my anxiety level decreased considerably. The books describe the *range* of normal development. They let you know what sorts of things to expect so that you can respond appropriately. So, not only do they tell you what NOT to worry about, they also provide you with info on how BEST to support each stage of development.

When my son was about 3 (if I remember correctly), he went through a stage where he was upset with ME constantly. It seemed like overnight, everything I did was "wrong". One day I felt like a competent and super-mom, and the next, I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. I hadn't read the "3 year old" book yet.

Here's an example: One evening, after his dinner, I gave him a chocolate donut, something I rarely did because I didn't like to give him sweets. I thought it would be a special treat. He took one bite and began crying that the donut wasn't hole any more. He was so frustrated and angry. It seemed that he was only having trouble with me.

The next morning I ran out and bought, "Your 3 Year Old", and within the first couple of chapters, all my anxiety was gone. It was as though Aimes was writing about my son, explaining this stage where the mother becomes the safe "target". Once I knew that, I could stop worrying and not over-react.

Essentially, I found that these books helped me understand, WHEN to be concerned and react, when NOT to be concerned, so I wouldn't over-react; and especially, how to ANTICIPATE each developmental stage so I could help SUPPORT my son and PROMOTE the healthiest development possible.

I hope you find this useful. I know it's way beyond your question, but I'm hoping that other mothers will read about these wonderful resources.

Best of luck,

V. S., LICSW

2 moms found this helpful

All kids are different. I'm actually more worried about why she hates to lie on her belly so much. Have you discussed that with your pediatrician? I would want to make sure there is no physical issue with her belly that makes her uncomfortable when she's in that position. It could also be a hip issue as lying on your belly puts alot of stretch on your hip flexor muscles.
Once you've ruled out any physiological reason why she won't lie on her belly, I wouldn't worry too much about the crawling, she will come to it in her own time, and actually, some kids never crawl at all, they go from sitting on their own to cruising the furniture while standing up.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

HI! Crawling is VERY important for a child for many reasons. One big reason is that tummy time and exploring crawling helps the child coordinate their arms and legs in oppositional movment. This helps with reading laster in life. I adopted my daughter and she came home to us at 14 months sprinting! I knew this was a red flag but didn't get the information until the end of 2nd grade that this has effected her reading. The way she inputs information and the way her brain processes information. She is an exceptionally bright girl, however can not show it in the typical manner with reading and writing.
We had a neruophysch evaluation, an OT reval, and an Development Eye Specialist evalutaion. And more evaluations to come with 3rd garde. She now has an IEP, thankfully. And will get the help she needs finally. She is a full grade behind her peers. But with help, everyone on her team is hopeful she will catch up. She has to do at least 1 year vision therapy. As well as other things.
I would suggest that you get help from a movement professional (like BMC) to help your chid and you learn to explore all her needed, subtle developmental stages. But ultimately, it is up to the child to do it, you can't force it. However, you can try incentives to get her crawling. good luck! PS Not everyone who doesn't crawl has reading problems. But it is nice to assist your baby in following through with the natural phases.
PS Try lying your baby to sleep on his side. To many parents are afraid of SIDs and only lay their baby down on their backs. (causing the back of the head to be flattened) Sleeping and lying on thier sides can encourge rolling onto thier backs and then naturally exploring various other movement patterns like crawling.
There are so many movment specailists in our town, it is unbelievable. I did it with my son when he was having trouble at 3 years of age, I think (its hard to remember!) But I was a little late in the intervention unfortuantely. Now at 6 years he crawls alot and pretend to be a baby kitty! He is a phenomenal reader, even though he is 2 years younger than my daughter, he is decoding and reading much better and with much vigor and enthusiam.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi there...

Do Not Worry!!! All children develop at their own pace!

I have 4 children. Two of my children did not crawl at all. They also hated their bellies, but loved to sit. They ended up scooting on their bottoms. They got around just fine... and had no problems learning to walk!

NO! Do not be concerned and worry like I did! My son crawled finally the day before he turned 10 months! He also did not walk until he was 9 days shy of turning 18 months old!
Some kids are slower than others. I also think most babies hate being on their bellies. My son was my first so I did not even realize that I should have given him tummy time as early as 1-2 months old I thought that was too young. Maybe if I did he would have crawled/walked sooner. My son was also on the later "normal" end of standing too, he would only stand in his crib for a long time before standing at the coffee table, ect.
I would question why she hates being on her belly & actually stops herself before she gets there. Does she seem to have pain in her belly or anything? I would be concerned about something going on in the belly area. Reflux maybe or something else? I would make a doctor appt asap for that!
Also is your daughter a little "big/chubby" for her age? My son was a chubby little thing until about 11 months old & then he started to thin out. So I think being a little chubby could be the reason he was a little late on those things. I myself did not walk until 15 months and never did crawl I was a HUGE baby! My mom fed me too many sweets.

I wouldn't worry about it. My oldest who is now five never crawled. He never wanted to. He would scoot around on his but and then one day he decided to try walking. Every child is different...good luck!

My son is also 8 months old and not crawling or really rolling. He does sit up as well though. I have him in Birth to Three actually. He too hates tummy time. The only time he really tolerates it is when I put him on a beach ball. Holding him of course I let him reach for things and stuff laying across the beach ball. He does better on soft surfaces on his belly like the couch or bed. Our goal is to get him to last longer and longer on his belly. Birth to Three has been helpful in getting him in different positions to try and stuff though. I highly recommend contacting early intervention for your daughter. They'll come out to your home and evaluate her and if she needs services they'll come up with a plan and come out however often as you want or she needs rather to your home to help you teach her to tolerate tummy time. Good luck.

I wouldn't worry my nine month old (third child) is still not crawling. He has figured out how to sit himself up and is now trying to pull to stand. All kids take different paths to reach the same goal it doesn't matter as much how they get there as long as they do.

My understanding is it is not uncommon for children to skip crawling but it is something that should be addressed. Developmentally the skills and coordination that crawling teaches children are linked to other cognitive skills, I think mathematics and logic. Ask your pediatrician. I wouldn't worry so much about the timetable as much as never learning at all.

I did hear an anecdote of one person who never learned to crawl as a toddler/baby (went straight from sitting to walking) and actually had to learn and spend time crawling as an adult.

Hi G.,
I have three children who didn't mind being on their stomach and crawled for different amount of times. But I also have taken care of numerous children that either didn't crawl at all or did the "creeping" flat on their stomachs all around the room. Not every child is text book and they develop in their own way. True the majority do enjoy stomach time and regular crawling but there are many exceptions. If this is the only time she complains about her stomach and you have checked with her doctor, just enjoy the "uniqeness" of your child. I have one that did nothing but crawl and did not walk until she was 15 months. She just decided to walk one day and has never looked back!.. Good luck P.

No worries! My first child never crawled. It happens more often than you think. He started standing at 11 months and walking at 13 months. Just look on the bright side, you get a little more time before you have to worry about her getting into everything!

My daughter never crawled and she hated being on her belly too. She scooted on her bottom to get around and she didn't start that until she was a year old. She is 2 1/2 now and I can't keep up with her.

Sounds exactly like my daughter. The her pedi said we should just keep trying, but she hated it so much that we finally just stopped. So she never crawled - she scooted on her bum (it was quite cute!) and then she learned to pull herself up and walk at 16 months. I was also a little worried about it, especially when she hit the year mark, but she got moving in a way that worked for her. And FYI, she's three and a half now and can walk, run, climb like any of her peers. No worries, your daughter will be just fine!

Hi G.
Not to worry, sounds like your baby is doing just fine and is not interested in crawling. My son never crawled, went from standing with help to walking. Now 21 months old, he is running and crawling around when he decides. All is well.
Blessings.

Hi G.!
My nephew didn't crawl until his 1st birthday! He just turned 5 and is as bright and coordinated as the rest of them! (Not to mention that there are 30+ 'certified' crawls... scooting, dragging etc all count as crawling- she might just be creative) :)
:) Good luck!
T.

Oh, G..... not to worry at all! My first daughter did not crawl until 9 1/2 months, and my second not until 10 1/2 months! In fact, my second is now almost 15 months and still is not walking (though she is climbing stairs, chairs, cruising and everything else). Every kid at her own pace.

My pediatrician did say at both of their 9-month appointments that they should not SKIP crawling, however, as their is some studies that link crawling to reading, interestingly enough. He gave tips on how to help them (hold a towel under their belly, then hve someone else help them shift their legs alternately), but they still learned at their own pace.

Not to worry at all. In fact, enjoy her inability to crawl while it lasts!!!!

My daughter is almost 10 months and is just starting to barely crawl. She hated tummy time until about the 8 month mark. She wasn't able to turn from her back to her tummy until about 8 1/2 months. Once she could do that, she has been more and more comfortable and happy being on her tummy. I was worried myself, but everyone kept telling me to relax - every baby does it in their own time. My goddaughter didn't crawl until 12 months and didn't walk until 18 months, so to each their own schedule! Your daughter will do it when she's ready. One thing I found that helped was to put toys she loved just out of reach so she would have to roll from her back to her tummy to get it. It took a good while, but eventually she figured it out. Good Luck!

Hi G.,

As moms previously posted, not to worry, I'm sure she'll be fine. My 9 mo old daughter just barely started sitting unassisted about a week or 2 ago, but she still falls over. She also cannot sit up on her own. She doesn't crawl, but she doesn't mind being on her belly, in fact, she rolls onto her belly as soon as I try to lay her down on her back...what she doesn't like is being on her back. Right now (like my 2 yr old did) she gets around by rolling to where she wants to go. Like other moms also said, all kids are different, and mine like to roll, instead of crawl or scoot on their behind. :o) My 5 yr old didn't crawl or like to sit on her belly. She just found a way to sit herself up, and stand herself up. We got her a toy with wheels that she could push, and that was the way she got around. Without it, she would let go, and fall to the ground. Both my older girls walked unassisted at 13 and 14 months (which I initially thought was too long). Another thing...my baby is a little longer and leaner than my two older ones. She has very long neck, torso, and limbs, and I just think it's probably more of a challenge for her to build all the muscle she needs to do the crawling and sitting, than did my two stumpy, chunky, older daughters.

Don't worry, she'll be alright. Just enjoy the time you have right now, before you have to begin chasing her around. :o)

Hi,

My 8 month old son is not crawling yet either. He's our fourth baby, and all of them have had completely different developmental scales! My oldest crawled at 6 months and walked at 9 months, but I had one daughter that didn't crawl until 11 months and walked at 14 months, and another that crawled at 9 months and walked at 13 months. They're all so different! Some babies never crawl, so crawling isn't actually even included on the developmental assessment scale. As long as your daughter can sit up, roll around, and is babbling a bit, playing with toys, etc., then she is most likely developing just fine. You can check with your pediatrician at the nine month visit, but I would imagine that he/she won't be too concerned at this point. Good luck!

I would not be alarmed. My DD was like that too, the only way I could get her to lay on her belly for any length of time was if I laid down all the floor with her and talked to her, or put her on an activity matt so she could see te things on the matt... I would suggest just keep tring, i use to abou 5 minutes throughout the day

Good Luck
M.

Hi G.! Neither of my babies crawled until well into their 9th month and I was certain it would never happen for either one :) Then one day each was off and crawling...My littlest one didn't start walking until well into his 14th month (just now!). They are both just FINE, everyone starts at her own pace, eh? Good luck!

Hi G.

Your ped is probably going to suggest early intervention at the 9 month appt. In RI, it's a very long wait list. My daughter did not crawl early and HATED to be on her belly. We did not force the issue. Around 9-10 months, she started doing what we call "boot scooting." She would sit up and use an inch worm like motion (picture someone rowing a boat) and that was how she got around. She did not like to stand with or without help and was not the least bit curious to try to pull herself up on furniture, crib, stairs, anything. She was 17 months before everything "clicked" for her. Around 12-13 months, she would walk with assistance. She would reach for your hand to get up from sitting to standing and then take steps only if you were holding onto her hand. At 17 months, she just decided she was ready and got herself up and started walking/running. she is now 18 months and very active. In the one month that she started walking, she is very steady, can climb stairs (not so much on going down the stairs) and just decided last week to give crawling a try. We did put her on the wait list for early intervention at 12 months...it took 7 months to hear back from them!!! We did not end up using the service. So unless your ped is overly concerned about her gross motor skills development, don't worry about it. Enjoy the extra "downtime" before you're running all over the place!!

It is totally normal. My daughter did the same thing and then just a few days after she turned 10 months she just started crawling.
She hated being on her belly and would just cry. Now she pushes herself up from belly to sitting and then crawling. But didn't even attempt it until after 10 months.
Every child does it in due time.
I worried about it as well so I totally understand.
Take care and I promise you she will do it soon and then you will wonder why you were in such a hurry for her to start crawling. I have to chase after her all the time now.

I had a similar experience with my now-14-mo daughter. She >always< hated tummy time. She was a steady sitter from 5 months, but never had any motivation to move about besides by scooching around on her bottom (and not much at that). She did a similar thing to your child- rolling over enough to keep off her tummy!

She did finally crawl at 10 months of age. One day she just decided she would try. She started off moving backward, which was frustrating for her. Then one day she just went forward. Actually, we helped motivate her by offering her the TV remote (otherwise forbidden) from a few feet away.

Now my daughter is walking unassisted, ahead of some other babies her age that crawled well before she did. One baby I know didn't crawl until around his first bday, then took his first steps just 2 months later.

So my advice is not to stress out about it (I know, easier said than done), give her lots of opportunities to crawl, and keep putting her on her tummy, even if she only stays that way for a second, and she will crawl and then walk in her own time. Good luck!

p.s. Enjoy this time with your immobile baby. Once she does start moving, being a mommy is much more physically exhausting, and there's a whole new level of baby-proofing involved!

Hi G.,
My son hated being on his belly too and also never crawled. He scooted on his bottom. He didn't start this until around 10 1/2 months as he could not sit well untill 8 1/2 months. He was walking at 15 months.

My daughter didn't crawl until after she walked. She was a relatively early walker and she also hated tummy time. I wouldn't worry at all! BTW, my daughter is almost 28 months and extremely articulate and intelligent. So even if your daughter never crawls or doesn't crawl until after walking, don't worry!

My little guy was 10 months before he would crawl. Untill he could crawl I couldn't leave him sitting because if he fell over he had trouble getting back to sitting. He crawled for 5 months (walking at 15 months). Now I can't stop him (even to eat) at 20 months. Some kids don't crawl at all, they scoot along with one foot, camando crawl, or crawl very late and then walk right away. Not to worry.
-S.

Hi G.,
I have a now 17 month old son who also hated to be on his belly for tummy time since birth. At his one year check up my Dr asked the normal questions, is he rolling over, standing up, walking, cruising furniture- he was doing none of these. If you put him on his belly he might possibly roll to his back but if you put him on his back, he would cry or wait until someone picked him up. My Dr was concerned and advised me to call E.I- Early Intervention for an evaluation. He never crawled a normal crawl, he still doesn't for the most part, it is a crab like crawl with one leg bent underneath him and he hops along the other. He has been getting physical therapy from EI since March and had come a long way. He pulls himself up on everything now, rolls all around and will walk with a baby walker or holding someone hands.
I know this a long story but it is mine and i wanted to share. Your daughter might be a late bloomer and they definitely all go at their own pace. It used to be that some babies skip crawling all together but more research is being done to indicate that the alternating arm and leg movement of crawling is beneficial to learning later on. (something to do with the brain.)
In any case, mention it to your pediatrician at her 9 month check up and see if they have suggestions or concerns for her.
Good Luck,
Take care,
V.

My daughter didn't crawl until 10 months because she hated being on her stomach as well. No worries...babies just have different developmental paths. As long as she's happy and progressing otherwise, she's doing just great!

My son will be 11 months next week, and he just started crawling last week. We actually thought he was going to skip crawling, since he wants us to walk him all over the place all the time (he's a pretty good walker with someone holding his hands), but then he finally figured out how to crawl. He never liked being on his tummy either, and has a big head compared to his body, so we figured that was why (it took too much effort to hold his head up on his tummy). Anyway, if your daughter is only 8 months, I wouldn't worry about it - babies learn to crawl at different ages, so I'm sure nothing's wrong.

Hi G.. they don't really use crawling as a milestone because not all babies crawl. My oldest son never crawled but other little guy was crawling and on the move at 6 months. I believe if your baby hasn't found away to be mobile by 10 months doesn't matter if its crawling, walking, spiderwalking, rolling across, ect. than you might want to mention it to your doctor.

G.--

My son was also not a huge fan of being on his belly, but once your daughter gets motivated to "move" it won't even be an issue. I think that my son rolled over at about 6 months and then sat up around 7.5 months. He started crawling about 9 months and walked at 13 months. These milestones were all completed within the "normal" range. As long as she's sitting up, all is well with her equilibrium and she's 100% normal and on track. Try not to let other people make you feel bad or self conscious that she's not crawling yet. She'll do it in her own time and I'm sure that will be plenty soon for you. Try not to rush her or you through these milestones. Enjoy every minute, because in a flash, this will all be a distant memory. If you have serious questions regarding her development, call your pediatrician.

R. P.

My first question would be is she chubby? My daughter was a very healthy, chubby baby. I mean rolls at the wrists, ankles, she had about 3 rolls in her thighs....it was so cute though....she also didn't start crawling until about 8 months, maybe 9, don't remember exactly...but she didn't walk until 13 months...she stood up on her own at 10 months. She also hated being on her belly so she took longe rto learn how to roll over too. Her doc was always saying she needs more tummy time....well I would try and she would freak and flop on her face, then when she could roll over, forget it...it was on her back. They also consider any type of movement crawling, like if she rolls all over the room, or is a bottom scooter, or does the GI crawl...they don't need to get on their hands and needs to be considered crawling.

Hi
My brother, as told to me by my mom, din't walk or crawl until he was 18 months old. He sort of scooted on his butt every where.
My daughter never really crawled either she pretty much went from sitting up to walking.
I don't think you should worry too much. She will do stuff when she is ready.
Good Luck
A.

My oldest daughter never crawled! She too hated to be on her stomach, cried to whole time. i even started her early in infancy to lay on her belly a little. Didnt matter i guess. She would stand, walk hoding on to things, never crawled. She'd sit on her but & scoot to where ever she wanted to go. It wasnt until she was 14 months that she decided to walk all by herself, and didnt teethe until almost age 1. My youngest popped her 1st tooth at 3 mo, walked at 10 months, wasnt much of a crawler either. So dont worry too much, they're all different & go at their own pace.

My post probably isn't necessary since most moms have echoed the same sentiment. But it's true - babies develop at their own pace. So don't stress about it!! Honestly, just enjoy this time because before you know it you will be chasing her around non-stop!!

Hi! No worries. 8 months is on the young side to crawl and crawling is NOT a milestone. Not every baby crawls and that is perfectly normal and healthy.

Yes, it's true that all children go at their own pace but if you are concerned you can call Early Intervention yourself, you don't need your doctor, and they will evaluate her. What harm can that do? Either they will give her the services if she needs them or they will ease your mind by letting you know she is on track. There is no fee for the services and the earlier you do it the better especially if there is a wait in your area.
You said she almost rolls over but stops herself, are you sure she can roll over? When my daughter could not roll over at 6 mo her doctor recommended EI and she has been reciving therapy once a week since then. Good Luck

My son hated being on his stomach from day 1 as well. Just give her time. It's frustrating to hear the doctors say "every child is different", but it really is true. She'll start when she's ready. For along time I always worried my son wasn't developing fast enough. He always "scooched" on his butt across the floor to get from point A to point B. He looked like he was paddling a canoe. I don't think he even started the crawling until he was closer to 10-11 months. Once he was ready for the different milestones, it was like someone flipped a switch. Hope this helps.

Hi G.,
My daughter never actually crawled. When she was around 10 months old she started to scoot on her bottom and ended up using that mode of transportation until she learned to walk at 15 months old. MiaBella is now almost 4 and we love to watch home movies of her scooting around on her little bottom way back when. Ever little one comes up their own way of getting around and you have nothing to worry about.

Neither of my children crawled. My son just started walking at 8.5mos & my daughter scooted on her bottom until she was about 1yo. Both children had no trouble crawling after they started walking. Don't worry about it, she'll definately figure out a way to get around. Take care.