Ok, so I am aware that I should not be worried about this, but my son who is now 10 months old is not crawling OR walking and I am getting frusterated, and I honestly think he is too! He is a very bright, alert, and happy baby. He is very laid back and content to just watch everything around him. He will sit up all day and play with his toys. He is talking quite a bit saying mama, dada, dog, etc. When I put him on his stomach, he immediately rolls over to his back (little stinker!) and I can't keep him on his tummy! I crawl around the house to show him, put toys in front of him and he will reach for the toy, grab it and flip over to his back again! I have been told by his ped. that because he is a bigger baby (28lbs) it is harder for him and it may take longer....but I need help. I feel like I have tried EVERYTHING to encourage some movement and he just isn't into it. So, can anyone give me some advice on how to encourage him to crawl? Or maybe we should just skip the crawling and move right to walking? I feel like he is as frusterated as I am about not being able to move and I think we would all be a little happier if he was mobile. Thanks!
H.
My son (now 4) did not roll or crawl until 14 months. He walked at 16 mos. I was frustrated too...but there isn't really much you can do. Like most things, they will do it when they are ready.
Hi H.:
i have two girls a 3 1/2 yr. old and 13 1/2 months. Both of my kids hated being on their stomach & never crawled. my oldest got around on those toy ride on cars, then one day just started walking 2 weeks after she turned 1. My youngest is almost 14 months, didn't start crawling until about a month ago and it's not even a crawl, it's this sliding and gliding move she does. So don't worry at all he will get it on his own and when he's ready! Hope this helps ease your mind a little.
Hi H.,
Please don't worry. My son was also 28lbs at 10 months and never crawled, would not roll over, didn't even pull himself up and I thought there was something wrong. He was a very alert baby and loved to play. I was also told it was because of his weight. We had always been off the charts for height and weight. Around 11 months or later he started to this army crawl with one leg. Very strange and adorable! He did this for a couple of months and he started to walk at 13 months. He is fine developmentally in fine and gross motor skills. There is a website for Ages and Stages Questionnaire. You can answer skill based questions based on your child age. I usually do this test every three months. The website is:
http://asq.uoregon.edu/consent.php?lang=en
The scores are sent back to you in about 3 weeks. It has really helped me see where my son needs to be or what we can work on at home. Hope the info helps.
If that doesn't work email me back and I can get you to the website.
H.,
My son was the exact same way and so was I. It drove me crazy. He did not really crawl till almost a year and it was still always the army crawl. Then, he didn't walk until almost 16 months. He is now 20 months and walking and running like crazy. I really think he was developing more mentally first, so that is why he was slower with the physical. He talked early and now is talking like I can't even believe. And, he has caught up with all the physical stuff too. It was so hard for us to not try to work with him all the time to do the crawling and walking, but it really truly does happen when you don't try so hard. Of course, helping him here and there is still needed. I now have a 9 month old who is completely different. He has been crawling for a while and will probably walk way earlier, and we worked with him way less than my other. Every child has different strengths and can be so far apart in their achievements at this age. Other moms worry over their children not talking enough, so it is always something. It is all perfectly normal. And, it all equals out as they get older. You will never stop worrying, but just try to enjoy what he is doing and not worry about what he isn't. It goes by so fast!
My son is big (27lbs) and will be 11 months next week. He didn't start crawling until a couple weeks ago, it just happened out of the blue. I was frustrated when he wasn't crawling because people always ask "Is he crawling yet?" and you feel like a bad parent when you say no. Just remember that it's kind of a blessing that he isn't crawling yet because as soon as he starts he will be getting into everything. LOL!
Have you tried sitting him on his bottom and putting something he wants just out of reach? Maybe if he's not in a rolling position he'll crawl to get the item.
First, I think what the Mom's who had the similar experience said was great! Second, an idea to try that I read about is to put a towel under your son's belly (while you hold both ends together) when he's on his hands/knees so that you can support his weight while his hands/arms and legs can move (towards objects or just squirm)...this gets him in the position of crawling and shows him what he can do from a different vantage point. Third, verbal/non-verbal encouragement is helpful too and you're right on for "showing him" how to crawl by example... you may just wear a hole through your pants though!
H.,
I wouldn't worry. From what I've read....babies can only tackle one milestone at a time. He's talking fairly early. My son didn't start saying momma and dadda until he was around 11 or 12 months consistently. However, my son started pulling himself up and walking around 8 months! Trust me, your little one will get there. Enjoy your last month or two not chasing him around and just sitting on the floor talking to him!! :)
Best wishes!
You should contact your local Early On. http://1800earlyon.org/ They work with children birth thru age 3 with delays. They are FREE and will come out and evaluate your child. I had one of my triplets in the program and then went ahead and got all 3 in. I think it was very helpful and they also helped get my children into head start when they were 3.
M.
mom to Christina 16
Isabella, Logan and Brody 5 3/4
As you said... you shouldn't be worried about this right now. You've discussed it with your pediatrician, and if your DS was showing any signs of concern, he would have told you.
You said he is very laid back. That is most likely just his personality. He will move when he wants to. Some kids are high energy... some are not. The fact he is reaching and grabbing and bringing toys to him shows he really is developing.
You have to remember... our kids will develop in their own time. We can encourage them and such... but we can't force them to do something they aren't ready for yet. He is a big boy too! If he hasn't been 'a stander' ... wanting to stand from an early age, his legs most likely need some more time to support his weight.
Honestly, the only other thing you can do is put his favorite toys out of reach. If he wants them bad enough, he WILL find a way to get to them. Also, most resources say 'crawling' isn't a milestone. Figuring out how to get from one point to another (like to that toy that is out of reach) IS the milestone. So... rolling, squirming, scooting, scootching... whatever it is.
Be patient. They are only little once. Don't wish away his life. As long as you are communicating concerns to your doctor to determine if there really is a problem... you're ok.
you are stressing for no reason thats for sure. children have a range to walk within - its a range for a reason. :)
I had one child walk at 9 months and one at 15 months.
Dont put undue pressure on your poor little baby.....
write back when he is three and not walking, then maybe its an issue :)
in the meantime if he is wanting to be more mobile allow him things that help such as a walker - it will give him the freedom and make him happier.
