When Do Babies Start Crawling? Key Milestones and Tips for Parents
When my father, Glenn Doman, conducted his original research on infant mobility in the late fifties and early sixties, he observed hundreds of newborn babies as they began their first attempts at independent movement. He built upon the pioneering research of Arnold Gesell and Louise Bates Ames, who laid the foundations of modern child development. Back then, it was typical for babies as young as two and a half months old to begin moving independently by crawling—a vital but often misunderstood development milestone.
Today, however, rarely do babies learn crawling in their earliest months, leaving many parents wondering how to help their infant crawl and whether crawling is even essential. As someone who has continued my father’s legacy through the Doman Method, I believe it’s crucial to clarify why crawling matters—and how you can effectively encourage your baby learns it.
Baby Development Milestones - When Does an Infant Start Crawling?
One common misunderstanding among parents is confusing “crawling” and “creeping.” Crawling involves your baby moving on their tummy, pulling with their arms and pushing with their legs. Think of a soldier moving along the ground. Creeping, on the other hand, is when babies lift onto their hands and knees.
Babies start crawling around 7-10 months old, but remember, every baby develops at it's own pace. There are activities parents can do to actively encourage their baby learn to crawl. Given the opportunity to move freely on the floor, your newborn can naturally start crawling within their first few months. This mobility milestone is your baby’s development toward independence.
Example of a baby crawling
Example of baby creeping
Why Did Crawling Disappear? - Babies Skip Crawling
If you’re asking how to encourage crawling, you may wonder why babies don’t naturally crawl as much today. The truth is, babies haven’t changed—society has. Our modern lifestyles mean less floor time and fewer opportunities for babies to practice these crucial skills.
It’s frustrating for babies to be immobile. They’re naturally curious and want to explore by seeing, touching, and even tasting their environment. When given the freedom to crawl, they learn about the world and themselves, setting the stage for future development.
Benefits of Crawling for Babies
If you’re wondering how to teach your infant to crawl, you’ll be happy to know crawling offers immense developmental benefits:
• Strengthens Limbs: Crawling builds powerful muscles in your baby’s arms and legs.
• Enhances Cross-Pattern Movement: This essential skill forms the basis for walking, running, and advanced coordination.
• Improves Respiratory Health: Crawling boosts lung capacity, which supports earlier and clearer speech development.
• Strengthens the Immune System: Active movement helps build robust respiratory health and overall immunity.
Crawling isn’t just about physical mobility—it’s foundational to your baby’s long-term health and cognitive development.
Creating the Ideal Environment to Promote Crawling and Your Baby's Growth
If you’re looking for actionable ways to encourage your baby’s crawling, here are some practical steps:
• Provide Unlimited Floor Time: Give your baby ample time in the prone position (on their tummy) to explore freely.
• Choose the Right Surface: Crawling can be challenging due to friction, especially on carpet. Start with a smooth, flat, and firm surface like linoleum or vinyl.
• Dress Your Baby Appropriately: Bare hands, elbows, knees, and feet are essential contact points. A simple onesie is ideal to help them move easily.
• Use an Infant Crawling Track: We recommend using an infant crawling track. Initially inclined to aid your baby’s forward movement, the track can gradually be flattened as your baby gains strength and confidence.
Detailed instructions for creating a crawling track can be found in our book, “Fit Baby, Smart Baby, Your Baby!”
The Transition from Crawling to Creeping
The crawling stage naturally transitions into creeping as your baby grows stronger. After mastering crawling, babies push themselves onto their hands and knees. Initially, you’ll notice them simply rocking back and forth—this clever action helps them learn to shift their weight and gain balance.
Unlike crawling, creeping requires balance and the coordination to manage gravity, which is why crawling first is so important—it builds essential foundational strength and confidence.
Celebrate Every Success
As a parent, your encouragement is the best motivation. Constantly applaud, hug, kiss, and encourage your baby’s efforts. Positive reinforcement not only speeds up their development but also creates joyful, lifelong memories. Below is a photo of my sons—Spencer enthusiastically cheering on his little brother Noah as he crawls down the track.
What’s Next?
For a comprehensive guide on supporting your baby’s mobility and balance from birth to six years old—including developing manual competence for skills like writing or playing instruments—check out our book, “Fit Baby, Smart Baby, Your Baby!”
Helping your infant crawl isn’t just about physical movement. It’s about giving your child the best possible start to their lifelong journey of exploration and independence—exactly what my father envisioned more than fifty years ago.
