Is My 10 Month Old Delaying in Development?

Updated on February 29, 2016
V.D. asks from North Port, FL
28 answers

I have a beautiful 10 month old baby girl (10 months since 5 days ago) and she hasn't crawled or walked. She can kind of pull herself up to stand of I hold her hands but that's it. I also can't do tummy time because when I put her on her tummy, she just gets back up and sits. She will be on her hands and knees about to crawl but then just sits back down on her butt. She's been doing this for a month now... Is this something I should be concerned about? She's never been around other babies to see them walking and crawling so maybe that's a reason?

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T.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

She may not crawl. If she's pulling herself I would say she's fine. Tummy time is to strengthen the neck muscles so she is not interested in tummy time she is more interested in standing. I wouldn't worry.

3 moms found this helpful
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B.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

She's perfectly normal. Just enjoy the quiet time before she starts walk/running and getting into everything.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Some babies never crawl, for whatever reason. They just go from scooting around (or not) to standing and walking. Walking at 10 months is quite early (my oldest did, and wow was I unprepared - I thought maybe we'd have a couple more months), so I wouldn't expect her to be doing that by now. If you are concerned, talk to her pediatrician - he or she will be able to give you the best guidance.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

She's fine. Get a book on child development. I had the book What to Expect the First year in addition to having a minor in psychology therefore I studied childhood development in college.

You could also Google milestones for babies.

Also, she is too old for tummy time. That is to strengthen neck muscles before babies sit, stand or really even hold their head up. Seriously, get a book so you will understand what is happening to your child.

6 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

She's fine!
Some kids skip crawling and go straight to walking.
She doesn't need tummy time at this stage.
She's pulling up and standing - that IS practice for walking.
Our son walked at 14 months.
Your girl is on track for walking before that.
She doesn't need to see other babies do it.

6 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Portland on

Mine did that. They would be on all fours, kind of rock back and forth, then sit. That's a preliminary stage. I wouldn't be concerned. Sounds like she's more interested in sitting and pulling herself up right now. Very normal to not work on different skills at the same time.
She may not ever crawl. My niece shuffled around on her bum.
My kids walked after a year.
So long as she is mobile, that's all you need to concern yourself with. Sounds typical to me :)

5 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

You need to talk to her pediatrician if you have concerns. As far as walking, anytime before 18 months is within norms. 10 months is on the early side. My DD didn't walk til 14.5. Sounds like she's beyond straight up tummy time and if she wants to sit rather than lay on her belly, then let her sit. She'll figure it out.

4 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

They all do things in a different order. Some kids skip crawling altogether. My son was on his feet at 8 months, but my stepdaughter didn't walk until 14 months. But she was doing other things "early", and my son was "late" at talking (not one word until 16 months). Is your daughter close to meeting her other milestones? Is she learning and doing new things in some category, even if it's not crawling or being on her tummy? Does she hear, babble, do things with her hands, respond to others? She's probably fine. You can mention it at the next well-baby check-up. Whatever you do, DO NOT get upset when other parents say things like, "What do you mean, she's not crawling yet? Why my little Petunia crawled in the delivery room!" Don't allow people to compare kids like that. It will make you crazy.

4 moms found this helpful

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

she is right on track. if you are concerned about her development you could always talk to her dr about it. but i don't hink you have anything to worry about.

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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

Sounds normal to me. My oldest son did this and it turned out to be a personality thing. He is a cautious person and you could see it even at this young age.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

My granddsughter never crawled. Just sort of butt crawled. She walked at 18 months. When she walked she just walked. None of this wobbling, falling like a 12 month old. Your baby seems just fine. The norms vary greatly. Just enjoy. My granddsughter was and still is a very cautious 3 1/2 year old unlike her 2 yo sister who thinks she can fly lol.

3 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

she sounds fine.
khairete
S.

3 moms found this helpful

D.D.

answers from Boston on

My kids were all champion crawlers by 9 months and walking at 1. Three out of 5 grandchildren didn't crawl; they rolled to where they wanted to be or got on their hands and sort of pushed backwards. Everyone's goal was to get to a table, chair, or couch where they could pull themselves up and walk holding on to get stuff. Earliest walker was 10 month, latest was 14 months. All did it in their own time without seeing another baby do it.

Totally normal to worry about your child but if you look at the list of skills they should have remember its a general guideline. Googling gives you some general milestones. If something is of concern mention it to your ped on the next visit. You can ask anything because they've heard it all.

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A.J.

answers from Philadelphia on

2 of my 3 kids didn't walk until they were one.

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N.Z.

answers from Los Angeles on

Crawling is technically not a milestone. Many kids who have never crawled are normal in their gross motor development. As for walking, as long as a baby walks by 18 months, it's considered normal.

If you are concerned, I would talk to your pediatrician and/or early intervention services.

2 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Your daughter has never been around other babies? Get her into a play group or take her to the park. It's Florida right? Nice and sunny.

2 moms found this helpful

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

She sounds fine but your doctor should be discussing this with you at her well baby visits, if not then ask questions! You can also check out baby development books from the library.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Amarillo on

Every baby is different. She may never pull up and just take off walking. Enjoy these times before you are chasing her around the house to keep up with her and her exploring everything. Time to really baby proof the house and get those things out of the way that you don't want destroyed.

My daughter was get up on all fours and push backwards and before I knew it she was walking.

Nothing wrong with your baby just on baby's time schedule for learning and doing. Don't every compare your child to the next as each is different and that is good.

the other S.

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

Sounds totally normal! Ask your pedi at your next regular appointment but I don't think you have anything to be concerned about. One of my boys walked at 10 months, one at 15 months, another at 16 months. All crawled at different times and all were well within the range of normal.

2 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Sounds perfectly normal.

2 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Orlando on

She sounds normal, but if you are concerned talk to her doctor.

My daughter did that too at around the same age, once she figured out how to crawl she was non stop. My daughter started walking at about 12 to 13 months old. Keep in mind that ALL children develop in their own time, and try not to compare her to other babies.

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N.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

She's pretty normal.

Please go to parentcenter.com and sign up for the emails regarding your child's development. You should get a daily email for a while then weekly. They will let you know where your baby is supposed to be.

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think she sounds fine, but I also think it would be very very good for her if you would take her to the weekly story time or other toddler group at your local library, so she can see some other babies crawling around. I think your observation that she doesn't have any examples to copy is likely accurate.

1 mom found this helpful

C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

Every baby is so different. My son never crawled. He did like to stand at age 10-11 months and hold on to a table or your hands. Then at age 1 he just wanted to learn to walk. My little nephew was a chunky little guy and he never had any interest in crawling or walking until past age 1! He took forever. His siblings would just get him what he wanted and also his personality was just so mellow. He was really happy to just sit and amuse himself wherever he was put down. Now he is 2 and a half and is running around driving his mom crazy. :) I'm sure your sweet girl is doing just fine! I DO think it would be fun for you and her to go to some mom/baby group or baby story time at the library or whatever you have around you. Don't compare her to others though. Just enjoy yourselves. Babies just love watching other kids and babies!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Fayetteville on

Every state has an Early Intervention program for kids birth-age 3. I think in FL it's called Early Steps. Call your local office (if you can't find the number, your pediatrician will have it) and set up an evaluation. They will come to your home and evaluate your child in several areas (for free!), like: fine motor skills, gross motor skills, cognitive, self-help, etc. If your child qualifies for Early Intervention services, all services are free--regardless of your income or insurance.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

First of all, anything that concerns you about your baby's development needs to be discussed with your pedi.

Second, children develop at all ages. My daughter was walking at 10 months, lost her first tooth at 4. My best friend's daughter did walk until she was about 13 months old and was in 1st grade when she lost her first tooth. BOTH children very normal, just developed at different ages.

Lastly, PLEASE go to some mom and me groups, play areas, anything to help her socialize. Libraries and book stores routinely have story time for free. Little Gym, Gymboree, Kindermusic and those types of things are all good for your baby and you!

Best wishes to you and your little one!

1 mom found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Dallas on

You have been getting a lot of great advice. I agree with the other mothers that each child develops at their own pace. She is in the norm, doesn't seem to be a developmental delay at all. If she wasn't rolling over and just laying without moving at all, then be concern. If you are still uneasy about her, talk to your pedi and see if she feels she needs to be evaluated by your local ECI office. (I don't see that with what you've said.)

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N.P.

answers from Chicago on

crawling is actually NOT a developmental milestone... the milestone is being able to travel from one location to another.
Some babies do this by crawling, but others do it by butt scooting, rolling repeatedly, army crawling, crab walking, cruising or any number of other ways. She sounds like she has the core muscles she needs since she can get from tummy to sitting. To encourage her to move place her toys out of her reach and encourage her to get them on her own. You could also play crawling games where you crawl around.
If you don't seem her moving from one place to another by 12 months your doctor may request an evaluation by early intervention. You can also request one earlier then that if you want.

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