Questions?
Most babies begin crawling somewhere around 7 to 10 months, although there is plenty of healthy variation. Babies may crawl differently or skip crawling altogether and move on to pulling up and walking.
Still, when crawling is delayed or doesn’t happen at all, it’s natural to wonder if something more is going on.
In some cases, a delay in crawling can be an early sign of cerebral palsy or another birth injury.
A preventable birth injury can sometimes be to blame, and that harm isn’t always noticed until a child misses milestones like crawling on time.
Learn when babies are supposed to crawl, which signs are worth a conversation with a doctor, and what parents can do if their baby is not reaching expected motor milestones.
At What Age Do Babies Crawl?
While many babies crawl by 10 months, there’s no single age when every baby should. Crawling age is only one part of your baby’s overall development.
Some babies crawl on their hands and knees, while others belly crawl (sometimes called commando crawl), scoot, or roll.
If a child is hitting other milestones and finding their own ways to move, skipping a traditional crawl is often normal.
- Around 6 months: Crawling this early is unusual but possible. Many babies are still building strength by pushing up, reaching while on their stomach, or getting onto their hands and knees.
- 7 to 10 months: This is the typical window. Babies often start with belly crawling (commando crawling) or rocking on their hands and knees before learning to move forward.
- 10 to 12 months: Not crawling yet isn’t necessarily a concern, especially if your baby is sitting, pulling up, or finding other ways to get around. Mention it at your next well-child visit.
- 12 months and older: If your baby isn’t crawling or moving in other ways, or shows unusual muscle tone, favors one side of their body, or has lost a skill they had, talk with their pediatrician.
If your baby is falling behind on several milestones, think back to their birth. A difficult delivery that led to a preventable injury may be medical malpractice.
When Should I Worry About My Baby Not Crawling?
Not crawling by 10 months isn’t necessarily a reason to panic, according to Cleveland Clinic. What matters is your baby’s overall motor development and how they use their body.
“There’s a wide range of what’s considered ‘normal.’ Development doesn’t follow a strict timeline. One baby may crawl at 7 months, and another might not crawl until closer to 11 months. Both are OK.”
– Christin Close, DPT, Board-Certified Pediatric Physical Therapist at Cleveland Clinic
Talk with your pediatrician if your baby is not crawling and also seems unusually stiff or floppy, favors one side of the body, or has lost a skill they had. Acting early can get your child support sooner.
If your baby is falling behind across several milestones, our team of labor and delivery nurses can help you understand if these may be symptoms of a long-term condition.
Talk to a registered nurse now — there’s never any cost or obligation to talk with our team.
Call (800) 914-1562 or Click to Live Chat for immediate assistance.
Is Not Crawling on Time a Sign of a Birth Injury?
Sometimes. A delay in crawling can be related to a birth injury that affects the developing brain or nervous system. This can interfere with the motor control, muscle tone, strength, and coordination a baby needs to crawl.
- Birth trauma that injures the brain or nervous system
- Brain bleeding or stroke before or around the time of birth
- Lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain, including hypoxic-ischemic brain injury
- Prematurity or complications affecting brain development
- Untreated or severe newborn infections or severe jaundice
Delayed or abnormal crawling paired with unusual muscle tone or trouble using one side of the body can be a sign of cerebral palsy. A pediatric evaluation can determine whether further testing is needed.
Can a Baby with Cerebral Palsy Crawl?
Yes, some babies with cerebral palsy can crawl. Cerebral palsy affects movement, balance, posture, and muscle control, but its effects vary widely.
A baby with mild cerebral palsy may crawl and later walk on their own, while a child with more significant motor impairment may not crawl at all. Additionally, how a baby crawls can matter more than whether they crawl.
- Dragging one side of the body while crawling
- Keeping one hand fisted or having trouble using one arm
- Losing the ability to crawl or another skill they had
- Moving with stiff, rigid legs or very floppy limbs
- Pushing off with one hand and leg while dragging the opposite side
If you notice these patterns, ask your pediatrician about a developmental evaluation.
Get Help If Your Baby Isn’t Crawling on Time
At the Birth Injury Justice Center, we help families whose children were harmed by medical malpractice during pregnancy, labor, or delivery.
Birth injury settlements average over $1 million and can help pay for the therapy, equipment, and lifelong care your child may need.
Our registered nurses have decades of labor and delivery experience, know how things should go during delivery and emergencies, and can explain what your child’s symptoms may mean.
Not every crawling delay is caused by a birth injury, but if something went wrong during your delivery, you deserve answers.
Call us at (800) 914-1562 or get a free case review right now. There’s never any cost or obligation.
