amazon.co.uk has been visited by 1M+ users in the past month
Complete range of toddler toys. Free UK delivery on eligible orders!
- Hot New Releases
Discover our best-selling
new and future releases
- Hasbro
Shop selection from Hasbro Gaming,
Play-Doh, Nerf and more
- Toys Special Offers
Shop today's special
offers on toys and games
- Toys & Games
Discover a wide range of
toys and games
- Electronic Toys
Discover electronic toys
for kids of all ages
- Games
Discover our selection
of-exceptionally priced games.
- Hot New Releases
Search results
People also ask
How do I encourage my baby to crawl?
How can I encourage my baby to crawl & master independent movement?
How do babies learn to crawl?
Why do babies want to crawl?
What should I do if my baby is not crawling?
How do I keep my baby safe while crawling?
Dec 4, 2023 · How to encourage your baby to crawl: top tips from parents. Crawling is a key milestone in your baby’s development as they build up strength and mobility. Here's our guide to when you can expect your little one to start crawling, plus Mumsnet users’ advice on how to get your baby moving. By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Dec 4, 2023.
- Natasha Gregson
- Overview
- How can I help my baby learn to crawl?
- What’s involved in learning to crawl?
- What are the different methods of crawling?
- When will my baby start crawling?
- Should I worry about my baby not crawling?
If you’re like most new parents, you may stare at your newborn in amazement and eagerly await anticipated milestones, like laughing, sitting up, and crawling.
Right now, it might seem like your baby will never become mobile. But the truth is, they’ll be climbing the furniture and unlocking the baby gates before you know it.
1. Give your baby adequate tummy time
While babies should always sleep on their backs, it is good to give them some tummy time every day while they are awake. When your baby spends time lying on their belly, they practice raising their head off the ground, which strengthens their trunk and back and gets their limbs moving freely. Both of these activities help build the muscles they’ll need for crawling. Some babies don’t enjoy tummy time, especially at first. If your little one screams or protests, try doing it only in short bursts and for just a few minutes at a time. You can also make floor playtime more fun by giving them a few minutes in different positions, including sides, back, and tummy. And finally, try a bonding tummy time by lying down on your back and putting baby on your tummy, so you can look at their face while they practice lifting their head.
2. Reduce the amount of time in walkers and bouncers
Babies who don’t spend a lot of time on the floor may take longer to develop the strength they need to crawl. Although baby swings, walkers, bouncers, and other baby seats are an excellent way to keep your baby safely confined, giving your baby floor time encourages exploring and movement.
3. Give your baby a little extra motivation
Babies already have an instinctive drive toward movement, but you can make it a little more exciting and motivating by giving them something to reach for. Try putting their favorite toy on the ground during tummy time, but put the toy just out of reach. This will interest them and give them a goal to work for as they’re trying to move. Another trick is placing a mirror on the floor in front of your baby. As babies see their reflection in the mirror, this can motivate them to scoot, and then gradually crawl, to the object. They’ll probably try some creative ways to get to the toy, like rolling and stretching. You may have a hard time not helping them, but if you can resist the temptation to move the toy a little closer, you might be surprised at how patient they can be as they work to solve the problem on their own.
Most motor skills are more complicated than they look, and crawling is no exception.
It might seem like moving around is a pretty basic activity for a baby, but in reality, your baby needs to develop two key abilities. A baby must first develop muscular strength to support themselves on their arms and legs. And second, they need to be able to coordinate the movement of their limbs to make movement happen.
Most babies don’t go straight from immobile to crawling on hands and knees. In fact, some babies never learn the “classic crawl” of alternating the right hand and left foot with the left hand and right foot while on their hands and knees.
Instead, many babies get creative with different types of movement. For example, your baby might start getting around with an “army crawl,” by lying on their belly and pulling themselves forward with their arms. They might also use their legs more than their arms, raising their body by straightening their legs and then propelling forward.
For most babies, the skills needed for movement develop around the midway point of the first year of life. You’ll probably see your baby start to crawl between 6 and 10 months.
However, if your baby is bigger than average, it might take them a little longer to figure out how to move around. And if they’re especially focused on other skills, like fine motor skills or language development, this can delay their focus on crawling.
There’s a pretty wide window for when babies normally start to crawl, and what’s interesting is that some babies never crawl. Instead, they go from sitting up, to pulling up, to walking.
Chances are you don’t need to worry about your baby’s movement. However, if you notice that your baby is trying to move, but is only using one side of their body, speak with a doctor. You should also speak with a doctor if you’re concerned that your baby isn’t progressing in their ability to move around. Your doctor can assess whether your baby’s development is normal and on track.
May 16, 2024 · Crawling allows your baby to explore their world in a whole new way, and we're here to explain how to encourage them to get moving. From doing tummy time to supporting your baby's movement, we'll walk you through it all, below.
- Tummy Time. Tummy time is an activity that can be done as a newborn and is essential to helping your baby develop strength in his or her arms and neck.
- Use or make a tunnel. Creating a simple obstacle course can be very motivating for your baby. A Pop Up Tunnel Tube can get your baby crawling from one end to the next.
- Hands down. While propping your baby’s lower body up in the air, you’re forcing them to put their hands down on the ground. This will help them to feel and understand this position while supporting their body weight into their arms.
- Twist and Turn. While seated, place toys or most-loved objects on the side of your baby, just slightly out of reach. This will encourage your baby to twist and turn to grab them.
- Make time for tummy time every day. Think of tummy time as a workout session for your baby. On her tummy, she builds her neck, shoulder, and back muscles.
- Dress for the occasion. Dress your baby in stretchy but fitted clothes. Loose material can obstruct your baby’s movements. Bare arms and legs may allow your baby to experience different textures of the floor and rug.
- Go low. Get down on the floor and lie on your belly while you face your baby. Make eye contact with her and smile. This will encourage her to lift her head.
- Tempt your baby with toys. If your baby’s showing signs that she’s ready to crawl, toys may also be an option. Set them in front of your baby just beyond her reach, and see what she does!
Crawling is an exciting development milestone and there's a lot you can do to encourage your baby and make it fun for you both, before he moves on to taking his first steps. Let the crawling begin! Most babies start crawling at 7 to 10 months but sometimes it could take a little longer.
Aug 30, 2022 · There are all sorts of things you can do to encourage your baby to crawl and master independent movement. By playing games and doing activities that target the skills and strengths, you’ll support their development and have loads of fun together while you’re at it.
