Milestones...

Jesse, those milestones? They are mostly constructed to torture your brain...because, you know, moms aren't paranoid enough already, right?

I'd say that my kid never crawled, except that I have a video of her crawling to get her paci...but I'd swear that was the ONLY time she did it. She'd been cruising, holding the coffee table or whatever was handy, and then about a week before her 1st birthday she just got up and walked -- and then ran around like a maniac.

But don't get hung up on the walking marker either! Both my mother and my friend's son didn't walk until 18 months, and they grew up perfectly normal and healthy.

Unless your pediatrician is concerned, just chill (easier said than done, I know). One day soon -- I promise you -- you will long for the days when she was relatively stationary!

Okay, but if you're super-concerned, spend some time holding her little hands and helping her stand for as long as she can. Also, don't automatically fetch her toys for her. Encourage her to "go get it". Sometimes kids simply lack the incentive to go mobile (and who can blame them? if all I had to do was point and command, and people brought me things? I might not get off the couch...)

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8.5 months old is not "late" to crawl. My son didn't crawl until 11 months and didn't walk until 15 months. Now I can't keep up with him. Enjoy the not-crawling while you can and please block out everyone else's standards.

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J.,

Please do NOT get paranoid! Every child develops at their own pace. My daughter never crawled; she went from pushing/scooting and pulling up right to walking. She saw a cousin walking one day and just decided that crawling was not her cup of tea and went for the big prize of walking. I thought OMG she's behind until I realized that the lightbulbs go off in their heads when they are ready and when elements in their environment propel them to move. e.g. My daughter was motivated to keep up with her rambuctious cousin. Now at 2 years old I want her to walk but all she wants to do is be carried or play (roll, crawl, lay) on the floor w/ her toys, go figure!

You are certainly doing the right thing by noting her motor skills progress but dial down the intensity and just create situations that will propel her progress. e.g. play dates and peer interaction, classes, your time of play with her, etc.

Remember be ENCOURAGING and avoid forcefulness as not to tramatize! YOU ARE A WONDERFUL MOM so enjoy and capture the memories.

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My daughter never crawled. She scooted on her butt, pulling herself forward with her hands and ankles. she didn't really start that until she was almost 9 months. She didn't pull up until she was almost 11 months, and didn't walk until she was 13-14 months. She hated tummy time (though she slept on her stomach). As long as she can bear weight on her legs I wouldn't worry too much about it. My nephew almost never crawled, and didn't walk until he was 15 months. The day he walked, he ran. She may be developing in other ways at this time (cognitively or small motor development) and has her attention focused there for now. Eventually she will decide she is sick of being in one place and will begin move around. Incent her by putting toys/ treats just out of reach and don't be afraid to leave the room for a few minutes (even if she cries) to incent her to follow.

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Hi J.,

Seems to me that you might want to have your baby screened.

www.infantva.org

To help you not to worry.

It might help you to get into a support group for moms and also take some parenting classes to help you stay on top of the milestones of your baby.

www.kidspriorityone.org or###-###-####

www.chkd.org/classess

Hope this helps. Good luck. D.

Quit giving her everything. Present her favorite toy or a new one or her bottle, whatever, but put it out of her reach. If she wants it bad enough, she'll find a way to get to it. Just let it be by her crawling and not by crying til YOU give it to her. You'll be surprised and so will she at what she can do!

I wouldn't worry one bit, enjoy the seasons, cuz they'll be gone before we know it. My lil love didn't start till 9 mos and one of her friends at school was actually walking at 10 mos! She walked at 13 mos and her friend who crawled at 7 mos didn't want to walk till she was 14 mos. They're allll different. Enjoy!

My daughter was very slow to crawl and walk- in fact, she never actually crawled, she would sit on her butt and push herself around with her legs. That started happening around 10 months, and then she didn't start really walking until about 20 months. She also hated tummy time...

My theory is that babies are either talkers or walkers- they'll either engage their minds first, or their bodies. My little girl is a great walker now (she's 2 1/2), but is also a great conversationalist, something she developed while sitting around the house!

My son, now 3 years-old, didn't crawl until he was almost 1 and walked a couple months later. If your daughter is developing normally in other ways, I wouldn't worry too much about it. After my son did start crawling I realized how much I took for granted him staying where I put him!

Don't worry about the milestones. She will crawl when she is ready. My son started crawling about 2 1/2 weeks ago and he is 11 months old. I wondered the same thing, then I realized when he is ready he will crawl. Some kids skip the crawling and go right to walking. Enjoy the freedom you have now, because, as you have probably been told, once they become mobile, you won't sit for a while.
Good luck! It sounds like you are having fun.

Don't worry my son is in the same boat! He will scoot if he needs something, but he has no interest in crawling. I asked the Pediatrician the same thing, and he said he will do it when he feels like it. The Pediatricians child never crawled, she went straight to walking. Maybe our kids are skipping the middle man! ;-)

Dear J.,
Crawling is not an official milestone for a good reason. Please know that some babies never crawl at all - they transition from sitting to pullling up then walking without ever crawling. If your pediatrician is happy with her progress I wouldn't worry. If the Dr is concerned then you can have early childhood intervention come out and evaluate your daughter for free. I would continue to encourage your daugher to crawl or move in some way by putting some desired toys out of reach (just enough for slight frustration, not enough to really upset her) Then I would help her to develop her leg muscles by using standing toys like the jumper or exersuacer. If she is a good stander you could show her how to lean against the couch or table to play. Showing her a new world to reach and explore may encourage her to get mobile one way or another. And don't forget to enjoy this calm before the storm of nonstop toddler movement - I promise you will be thinking of it longingly one day soon,
A.

I have two boys 4 and 8. My first son never crawled. He just dragged himself around like some army commando in the bushes for a few months. Then he cruised and finally walked just a few weeks before his first birthday. My second son crawled at about 7 months but then didn't cruise. He was finally walking shortly after his first birthday. I guess they all manage to get there in their own way and time. As long as they are meeting most of the milestones. I don't think I would be overly concerned.

Hi, I'm a third time mom. I had a beautiful little girl on September 27th and I she hasn't officially started to crawl. She is finally sitting up and reaching for stuff...she was slow on rolling over. I really don't think there is anything to worry about. Our girls are just taking there own sweet time and will start crawling when they feel ready. This is just how I feel. I hope that you have a great day! :o)

J.,

I know how you feel~~ To introduce you, my kids are 9, 7 and 4, all 3 boys~~:) When my oldest was a baby, he was a very late crawler/walker...Like you being a first time Mom, I compared notes and wondered why he wasn't crawling..he started crawling close to 12 months and didn't walk till 16 months!!! Then my 2nd son was more active and on schedule, he was crawling at 9 months and walking at 12 months, but when my 3rd son came along, he was a lot like my 1st son, he started to crawl a little earlier than my 1st, about 10 months and walked at 14 months. But honestly, when my 3rd came along, I wanted to enjoy his baby months and when he was ready to crawl he will. I look back and wonder why I worried so much about my 1st son and wished I relaxed and just enjoyed him a little bit more...It starts to get crazy when they start to crawl and walk, so ENJOY this time with her and when she is ready, she will! My mom told me when I was small, I started to crawl backyards...:) So every baby is different, ready to crawl in their own time, don't worry about it and take advantage of the time you can sit with her and play. When crawling comes, they are all over the place!! :) Hope this helps~~~

A little about me: S., SAHM of 3 boys, ages 9, 7 and 4. Married to wonderful man of 12 years~~~

Don't fret---the time will come. My daughter was born September '07 and she just turned 9 months old. She had started rolling from her back to her front a few months ago and I have seen her roll back a few times onto her stomach, but she just does not prefer to. She started scooting backwards like a champ and was always getting stuck. Then out of thin air on her 9 month b-day, she started crawling. It was the greatest thing to see and now she is getting in to everything and it has only been a week. Keep the faith! Your little girl will be harder to catch in no time!

My daugther never crawled. She scooted around a little on her bottom by the time she was 10 months. She pulled herself up one day on the coffee table and cruised. That was her method of mobility until she walked at 13 months. She didn't roll over either! Rest assured, she will get there when she's ready - maybe never even crawling.

I have a grandson who is 9 months old and also not terribly interested in crawling. He sits very well, reaches for toys and stretches, but can't really get into that crawling position yet. Since babies now sleep on their backs, they roll and crawl "later" than lots of those developmental books suggest.
Enjoy her immobile time, you'll be wishing for it back now and then once she starts to really move!

HI J.,

Was your daughter born early at all ? My son was born 2.5 months early and never did things on time. I have also heard of babies being full terms and never crawling. I would have to suggest more playing on the floor and let her get mad. She may need to build those muscles up.You can also talk to child find to see if she may qualify for some baby therapy.

The range for crawling is 7-10 months so there's nothing for you to worry about. It's always a good idea to talk to the pediatrician about this or the nurse practitioner at the pediatrician's office. Does the doctor know about the not rolling over yet? It doesn't seem like there's any reason to worry but it's really always best to talk to the pediatrician. Other moms can help by sharing their experiences, but we are not pediatricians. Good Luck!!!

my little girl is 9 months and 2 weeks. she just started the "army crawl" last week. she scooted forward about a foot to get the remote. this week she can slither across the entire room so she's now making progress fast. i, like you, thought she should have been crawling sooner. i guess she just needed the proper motivation (the remote) and is on her own timeline.

I'm going to put my voice in with the other ladies, although I do agree with maybe motivating her, like the one woman said, by not handing her everything she wants. Just make sure she doesn't get frustrated and angry. Motivate, don't push.

I know a kid who's about 18 months old and not walking yet. She crawls sitting up by putting one hand on the floor and using her feet to skootch her butt forward. She gets around! Funny part is, her sister did the exact same thing, but was walking before she came along, so she didn't learn the crab crawl from her older sister. She pulls herself up using the coffee table and the baby gates and such. She'll get there and so will yours! (Maybe she is now; you've reminded me, I need to write to my friend!)

-S. K

Hi Jesse,

My daughter is now 11 months and I had the same anxiety as you. She refused to crawl and hated being on her stomach. She rolled over when she was 4-5 months and then stopped rolling over and would just scream if on her stomach. She sat very well but wouldnt get to a sitting position independantly. I was mildly concerned since most of the other babies at daycare were advancing physically but she was interested in advancing mentally. She was playing peek-a-boo, and communicating up a storm. Finally at approximately 10 months she took off crawling. Within the past month she has moved from crawling tentatively to exploring all over the place. She is also pulling up and standing, cruising along furniture, and attempting to stand on her own (she can for a few seconds). They all do things at their own pace so relax and dont try to rush it. Enjoy your peace because when your little one starts crawling your life changes dramatically.

Hi J.,

I'm glad you already have a lot of reassuring responses. My daughter was also a "late" crawler at 10 months, then went on to walk at 13 months. Now she is 7 years old and 2 weeks ago won all her events at her school field day - they do catch up!!
(Enjoy it while she is content to sit still; it becomes a whole different ball game once they can get around and get into things!).

L. P

I'm sure as a teacher you know that children are very individual. I've been lucky enough that my getting worried about a milestone seemed to predate the milestone by a VERY short time.

My son as a baby loved having a (helium filled) balloon tied to his ankle. He would kick and it would bop and he loved it. (Obviously you need to stay VERY close because the string can be a choking hazard) One of his kicks was strong enough to propel him into turning over. (I scrambled FAST to get that balloon off before he tangled into it.) At that point he got much more fascinated with rolling over than playing with the balloon. Attaching the balloon may or may not teach your baby to roll over, but you at least get to see the joy of her playing with the balloon.

My daughter never crawled normally -- she rolled, scootched on her back inchworm style and on rare occastions army-crawled. There's a lot of worry these days that children have to crawl normally to be able to read. That wasn't true for her. She learned to read at 3 and has consistently been the best reader in her class. At fifteen, she still reads more than six books a week.

Sounds like my daughter (she is 9 mos old). We have been trying to give her more "tummy time" now that she has stopped screaming when we do that, but that has only gotten her to roll over!! She didn't roll until very recently. Some children just don't like to be on their stomach and will walk instead of crawling (or only crawl for a few weeks before walking).
I have been talking to our pediatrician about the our daugher's milestones. She has no concerns about our daughter. As long as your daughter is alert and shows interest in others, there really isn't an issue.
My way of looking at is this: There are so many areas in which a child develops (physical, emotional, social, and cognitive) that they can't develop on time for all of them. Some things come more quickly, others take more time--everyone has their strengths.

My daughter never crawled she's now 5 1/2 yrs old and is just fine. But if she never rolled over that makes we wonder if she's not on her tummy enough. But i would also give her time standing against stuff my daughter started this at about that age and she skipped crawling all together. good luck

J.- Be patient. It will happen. My son didn't crawl until 10.5 months. I, like you, was concerned. It's natural to compare other babies to your own, but there really is no need to worry. They will do it in there own time. And when it does happen you will long for the time when you could plop her down and know that she won't go anywhere. My son didn't walk until 19 months! I had my daughter two weeks later. I was in a panic thinking I would have to carry a newborn and a toddler around. But now, he runs, jumps, and climbs all over the playground and you wouldn't even know he was a "late" walker. With my daughter, I no longer have the need to compare other children with her. It seems with the first you want them to grow fast because you can't wait to see what they will do next. With the second, you want the babyhood to last forever. Enjoy your daughter and don't worry. From your description, it sounds like she is a happy, healthy baby. Count your blessings and don't sweat the small stuff. :)

Hello.

You are not alone. I have 2 daughters one is 2 and the other is 10 months old. The daughter who is now two was walking by 9 months, but the daughter who is 10 months just started crawling at 9 months. It's only been one month since she started and now she's crawling, pulling up, and standing on her own as of Friday. Nothing is wrong with them crawling later than other children their age, before you know it your baby will be walking and you'll be asking yourself "where did time go". This gives you time to really baby proof the house, cause once they start moving...........well, you'll see. Just enjoy your baby while she's still in baby mode. I'm pretty sure you guys are good parents, just give that baby all the love you can give and the milestones will be crossed.

Take care

Venessa

HI J.--I do not think you need to worry at all. I was always checking out the milestones as well and my daughter never really fit that mold either. She started to "army crawl" at around 10 months and wasn't full on her knees crawling until closer to 11-11 1/2 mos. She is now 14 1/2 months and is not full on walking yet on her own either and I have a ton of friends who kids were running at that age--she is so close and takes a bunch of steps on her own and then realizes she can get there so much faster by crawling. They say that developmental skills like crawling and walking are truly hereditary and my daugther seems to be going right with the same timeframe I did as a baby. Also, my father and brother are both Chiropractors and they both claim that research shows that the longer a baby crawls prior to walking, the higher likelihood the child will have a high IQ. So once your child is crawling, take your time and enjoy it. Crawling will truly help your baby's spine and neck and back muscles and make her stronger overall.

I hope this helps and can give you some comfort!

My son is 14 months. He didn't roll until he was 9 months, he didn't crawl until 11 months and he just started walking last week. I was concerend because my oldest was doing all of these things months earlier. My ped. said not to worry. The biggest thing would be if they are not walking by 18 months or pulling up by 13 months.

My son didn't crawl until he was 9 months old... then he walked at 10 months. Some kids just don't like crawling now that they don't spend as much time on their tummies!

I didn't think my son was going to crawl, but he suddenly did at a little over 9 months old. I know someone else who had a baby who didn't crawl at all, and went straight to walking.

My first son didn't crawl until way late, like 11 months or something and my second is almost 9 months and NO interest in crawling. Don't worry, she is doing just fine. One day you will turn around and she'll be off.

No worries, your daughter is perfectly fine. You'll be surprised at the number of babies who never crawl and go straight to walking. And you'd also be surprised at the number of babies who don't walk till their 2. If you have any serious concerns about development you should definitely bring it up with her pediatrician, but I would say she is perfectly normal.

My son "army crawled" at about 11.5 months and then along around 13 months started crawling normal. He is now almost 16 months and cruises but no steps for walking yet.

I too got paranoid but remembered that it will all come in good time. There will be a day when they will be running the opposite way and we will all wish they were just sitting in one spot again. No worries - she will crawl, walk, talk all in due time.

J.,
I don't think you have anything to worry about. I second the person that said to enjoy this time! You will soon be chasing after her!
My first son pulled up on our coffee table and took a few steps around two weeks before he crawled! He was around 9 months at that time. He was walking at ten months and never cared much for crawling. He really did not like "tummy time". It sounds as though she is content and will get there on her own time.

Hi J.,
My children (I have 3 girls) didn't crawl until 9 months or later. The first two also didn't walk at the "average" time either. They waited to walk until 15 and 16 months. Neither did a traditional crawl - one with bottom in the air and the other scooted on her bottom in a sitting position. My third child at exactly 9 months learned to crawl (on hands and knees) and it seemed like days later was pulling up then right at 12 months walked. Enjoy the time while you can put your daughter in one place and she will stay!
J.

Hi J.,

My daughter also didn't crawl until about 8 and 1/2 to 9 months, but I think because she was really heavy (about 23 pounds by the time she was 7 months), and those poor muscle might have not been up to the task at 7 months.
Before crawling forward she was actually going backwards, pushing with her arms, which I guess were stronger than her chubby tighs (the cutest :-).
Once she crawled she got really comfortable and fast, and then we were worried about walking....which she started doing on her own around 12 and 1/2 months old.
I knew other little kids that started walking around 10 months old, and I thought my little one was a bit late, but when she started walking, she rarely fell, as her muscle were really strong, and she was very confident in what she was doing.
Also remember that some kids might be early learning with physical skills, while others start talking, singing sooner than others....My daughter is a real chatter box, and she learns several new words every day.
Just don't worry, as your little one will start crawling when she will be comfortable in doing so.
I understand your concern, especially with all the competitive moms out there prasing their kids that started crawling and walking sooner than yours.

My daughter didn't start crawling until she was 9 1/2 months. Then, within the next 3 monhts, she pulled herself up holding on, walked around the furniture holding on, stood up without holding on, then was walking on her own about a week or two after her birthday. My little one did not like being on her belly either for very long. Relax, all babies are ahead in some areas, and all take longer in other areas. Which is normal.

Hi J.,
My son was born 9/19/07, so yours and mine are so close in age. He was born a month early though but I am happy with his milestones. I bought a used Exersaucer when he was about 4 months, and I believe it made him so strong to play in it. He sits very good if I put him in that position. For a while he was rolling over just one way, but recently started rolling over both ways. My son wants to crawl but cannot do it yet, instead he moves slowly by rolling over or scooting. If you want to encourage her to roll over, put her on her tummy several times a day with interesting toys all around her and move her body slowly by twisting her like if she was rolling over.

At his 6-month doctor check up I expressed some anxiety to the pediatrician of why my son was not rolling over yet, she saw him kick his legs and move vigorously, and told me "his motor skills are just fine, give him time and he will do it soon". If you have a 9-month check up coming up, ask your doctor about your daughter's motor skills. I have read and talked to professionals, and I will seek help if my son does not crawl by the end of the 10th month. But for now I am giving him time.

About me: I am a 38-year old, happily married first time mom and loving every minute of it.

DON'T WORRY! If your daughter has met all (or most) other milestones and in other ways seems healthy and progressing, I would not worry. So what if she is not crawling yet? Not all babies crawl. My daughter didn't crawl until she was 10 1/2 mos old and didn't crawl for very long. She was cruising in no time and walked "on time" at 12 mos. Your daughter may just be content sitting. She may be content observing for now.
Good luck,

J.

My daughter didn't crawl until 11 mo and didn't walk until 19 months. Very late, but she is perfectly normal and met her milestones in all other areas. Apparently I didn't crawl or walk until late, so family history does play into it. don't worry about it. Once she starts, it opens up a whole new world and you will start playing chase.

Hi there. My son crawled at 10 months then walked at 11 months. Before he crawled, he showed little interest in moving about on his own. He has two older sisters who would carry him wherever he needed to go, so he didn't really need to move on his own. He did do some scooting on his tummy before that, at maybe 9.5 months. He is 5, almost 6 years old now and is totally normal in terms of walking, running etc. I have read that babies must crawl for developmental reasons and for avoiding learning problems later on, so I would keep encouraging the crawling. Good luck.

My son did not crawl until he was maybe 10-11 months. I too was concerned about this. He did attempt to get up on all fours for several months though. I believe he was one of those children that skipped the heavy crawling phase. Have you heard of this? Some children don't crawl much and go directly to trying to walk. Your daughter may be one of these. Children do things differently and at their own pace. I do not think that you should worry about this. Your daughter is fine.

My son is now two years old.

I often read that babies " could do things IF they wanted to".Often I read that babies are stubborn or even lazy. That is hogwash. Babies do not conciesly decide to when to crawl or roll over or start to walk. It has to do with physical development. Those little nerve endings in the spine have to grow and connect and start working with the brain and that takes time. Some babies take a little longer then others.

I wouldn't worry much about your daughter not crawling. Mine absolutely hated tummy time and she skipped crawling and went straight to walking around. Every child will progress on their own time. Just when you are about to give up they do what you have been wanting all along.