Crawling Backwards

Updated on August 09, 2007
D.P. asks from Houston, TX
17 answers

My son is 6 months today and he crawls backwards. Has anyone experienced this and what should I do to try to teach him how to go forward?

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So What Happened?

Just wanted to update everyone on Xavier’s crawling, he has started crawling forward. It took a lot of patients and me getting on the floor with him, which took a lot of time. I want to thank everyone for the advice given.

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C.J.

answers from McAllen on

Don't worry!! This is normal for some babies. He's still learning, that's so cute! Don't be too pushy. Take pics!

CJR

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L.R.

answers from Sherman on

Oh cow funny.... I thought MINE as the only one.... HOW ADORABLE.... i would give anything of a video of my baby girl Stevie doing that again.... IT IS NORMAL... what I did is, put my hands on her back feet and put a cookie on the ground in front of her... and she learned that she COULD go forward. I dont think they know that its not NORMAL... and now WHO CARES... just enjoy them being a baby and cherish every moment of them because they grow up sooooo fast.... Stevie is now 11 and they just grow sooo fast... enjoy......L. www.athomebusiness.myarbonne.com

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M.D.

answers from Houston on

My suggestion, since it worked for my son, is to have someone get behind him and you get in front of him. While the other person is keeping him from going backward, you encourage him to come toward you. It make take a few tries, but he will want to come toward his Mommy.

Hope this helps.

~M.

S.C.

answers from College Station on

Yes I have experienced this with my first child. I haven't thought about this in a while as he just turned 9 but yes my son scooted backwards in his little scooter/walker first. And he also crawled backwards too. It didn't take long before he accidentally went forward and you could see the wheels turning in his head/light bulb moment.
You can prompt him with toys/things that intrigue him and put in front of him to make him come forward eventually, but this may cause frustration. I think I put toys in front of him,a foot away, and just left him alone. Babies are different in how they either challenge themselves or just wait til it happens one day, like when they cruise and then start to walk. It'll happen.Just use your instincts on how much to challenge him.

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L.R.

answers from Portland on

I know a guy that crawled backwards when he was a kid. He didn't always do things the conventional way, but he turned out great. Don't worry! :)

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C.C.

answers from Houston on

My daugther didn't go backwards but crawled on her stomache for the longest time. She started that around six months and around nine months she started on all fours. Give him time.

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A.S.

answers from Houston on

I have a 9 month old daughter and she started crawling backwards at about 7 months. I did not stop her, but rather i tried placing some toys in front of her and getting down on the floor with her and crawling forward. She did that for a month or so and now she is a pro at going forward, sideways or eanywhere she wants to. It is a developmental stage and he will outphase it soon.

Congrats on your baby and enjoy your time with him.

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V.C.

answers from Houston on

Does he always crawl backwards or does he do both? My now 2 year old son crawled backwards sometimes. It was just part of him exploring his world, maybe to see if he could do it. It was the same after he started walking. He would walk backwards. It is something that they grow out of though. If your son won't crawl forward, maybe try getting down on the floor with him and show him how to do it through play. For example, place a toy down on the floor and have him crawl to the toy and get it. Show him how to do it if needed.

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D.L.

answers from Houston on

Hi D.,

My son did this also, and at about the same age! He crawled (army style) for a month or so before starting to crawl the same way forward! He started out going just back then getting stuck, and then he learned that he could spin in circles as well. Your son will figure all of this out, just give him time. Also, if you get on the floor with him it may help him to see you going forward!!

Good Luck!

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K.W.

answers from Beaumont on

hi D. i experienced that also with two of my children and did nothing about it they naturally straighted out on their own like yours they were early crawlers and walkers and i would say as long as he is safe he should work it out on his own......

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C.C.

answers from Longview on

Hey, don't worry about it, my daughter crawled backwards at first and figured out how to go forward on her own. I had a friend whose baby never learned to crawl forward and he is now a 4.0 student (who does walk forward). So, don't sweat it, your baby will get it on his own. :)

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T.H.

answers from Houston on

My daughter started doing the same thing around 7 months. My mom told me that I did the same thing and that before long she would start going forward, and before I knew it she did. So I think he will get it right himself before too long, give him some time.

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A.A.

answers from New Orleans on

I, personally, have not experienced this; however, when I read your request to my mother, she sai, "Some babies do. He'll learn on his own," and, "Don't try to change him."

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W.C.

answers from Tyler on

Hi D.,

I would not be at all concerned about this precious little one!! I had a close friend whoes daughter crawled the same way. My sister's son did an army type crawl until he walked and another close friend's son would scoot on his bottom instead of crawl. They all continued with their new found way of travel until it didn't get them where they wanted to go fast enough. I would spend some time journaling and videoing this curious and inventive way of travel so that he will one day get a laugh when he is older. They don't crawl for long!! Blessings to you!

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A.H.

answers from Houston on

LOL....sorry that is just so cute. Of course they sometimes crawl backwards at first but don't worry he will eventually know that going forward works too!

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V.B.

answers from Houston on

This is very common. Crawling is not a major milestone that doctors watch for, so there is nothing to be concerned about. Try getting down on the floor with him or enticing him with a favorite toy to see if you can get him to move forward. My daughter didn't crawl at all until 9 months. Before you know it, he will be all over the place, forwards, backwards and off the walls! :-)

Enjoy!
V.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

D.,
My son Xavier did the same thing at 6 months when he first started crawling. He would only crawl backward even when I held out a toy in front of him. He would reach for it and try to come forward but would end up going back. It lasted for about 4 weeks and then suddenly he started crawling foward on his own.
My son is now 10 months old and walking.
I don't think it's anything to worry about and you'll be surprised how quickly he'll start going foward. Just keep being patient with him and encourage him to come forward by showing him toys.

-M.

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