Is Her Crawl Normal?

Updated on October 15, 2010
V.O. asks from San Antonio, TX
11 answers

My 8 month old daughter has just recently started crawling. I'm concerned about the way she crawls because she scoots herself with her left foot and drags her right foot along. It's hard to describe, but it doesn't look like the normal baby crawling. She uses both of her feet just fine when I hold her hands and take her walking around the house. I'm just wondering if it's something I need to be more aware of since she is my first.

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E.J.

answers from San Antonio on

My first son crawled with one foot on the floor and the other in normal crawling position. He also started to walk shortly after and ahead of most kids his age. I always say he wanted to skip crawling all together.

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L.S.

answers from San Antonio on

What's normal half the time anyways? My children all crawled different, one on hands and feet, the other drag both legs and looked like a worm and the other did something in between like yours. She will learn the "correct and normal" way later on or she'll just get tired of it and start walking.
Hope this helps,
L.

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R.B.

answers from Shreveport on

my daughter does the same thing!! so i would not worry , we were wondering about her crawling too.. today i notice her scooting around on her butt! lol ..

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M.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Yes, this is something to be concerned about. Get her to your pediatrician. Describe, and try to have your daughter crawl as you have described above. Tell the Dr. you want your daughter evaluated by a developmental pediatrician, ot/pt....babies who do not cross crawl normally, meaning move left knee forward with the right hand at the same time, and right knee forward with the left hand, are at increased risk of being diagnosed with autism or other developmental disorders. Even if everythign else is on track, she interacts, shows emotion, etc etc INSIST ON THIS! Babies who do not crawl, or who do not crawl "normally" have problems later on....been there, done that. wish I had known this was an area of concern when it happened...and we have 2 drs in our immediate family who are too smart for words, get to the right developmental specialist and get the evaluation done. Easter Seals and United way can get help for you even if you don't have the money or the insurance. Thank No Child Left Behind for that!

There are responses from people who will tell you not to worry, these are typical behaviors etc etc. We have paid over thousands and thousands of dollars and mortgaged our futures to help my son. So, no, worry now, get the evaluation and don't worry later. If there is anything not typical, you can get help and there are a lot of support systems out there. Better that you worry now, get the evaluation and be told that all is ok, than to sit and wait and then regret it later. IF there is something that your child needs help with, the sooner help is given the better the chances for a normal life.

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D.O.

answers from San Antonio on

I agree w/ the other responses, she is just starting so it is what it is. When my 1st started crawling, it looked like she was swimming on land. She will progress quickly, so just watch how quickly she will go from this phase to real crawling. Enjoy!

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A.O.

answers from San Antonio on

My daughter started crawling this way. its more of a scoot. it took her about two weeks or so and then one morning she was crawling using both her legs. it looks weird at first but it is completly normal.

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A.S.

answers from San Antonio on

My nephew crawled kinda funny too....i called it his nemo crawl...lol and he turned out just fine so i wouldn't worry about it.

-A.

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H.

answers from San Antonio on

Dear V.,

Do not worry about your daughter and the way she is crawling. When my grandaughter started to crawl, she looked like a little bug. She would crawl on her hands and her feet with her knees stiff and her little butt sticking straight out and sometimes she would drag one of her legs. My daugher-in-law was so worried, she took her to the pediatrition immediately. He laughed and said there was nothing to worry about and that all children crawled differently and if that was comfortable for her then it was ok. she out grew it and then started walking. It just looked so funny and abnormal, but don`t worry ,even I didn`t know that children crawled differently. I H. that I was of some help to you

H.

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J.

answers from San Antonio on

My youngest son did something similar to what your describing. It just looked so silly. He would use one foot to do all the work. And he turned out just fine,,in fact hes my little trouble maker climbing on everything. I would just wait a few months and see how it progresses. It should eventually turn into a "normal" crawl or she will just start walking.

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A.S.

answers from San Antonio on

Don't worry they try things out and will soon figure out what exactly it's all about. My son, 1yr now, started "Army crawling". My husband said it was the way they teach new army recruits how to crawl. Since my husband was in the Army we called his scooting low crawl or army crawl. He eventually got more strength and is not crawling "normally" When he wants to go under the coffee table he then resorts back to the Army crawl. I can see by the other posts and I also agree that every baby learns differently and will eventually get to the same place developmentally. It's all normal!!!

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S.R.

answers from San Antonio on

My son did the same thing and so did I when I was a baby. My Grandma still cracks up about it, she about died when I told her my son did it too. Sometimes it just seems easier to them.

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