How do I get my 9 mo. old to CRAWL?!?!?

I could have written this post 9 year ago. LOL!!! Boy I remember those days. My oldest was born 4 weeks early so she always seemed to be a little bit behind everyone. I had to teach her to roll from tummy to back at almost 6 months. And that little girl pretty much refused to crawl. One winter morning (it happened to be an ice day here in TX) I cranked up the heat, put her in shorts, and put a soft blanket on the floor. I was determined to teach her to crawl. No go. She just wasn't ready. I did learn that day that you really can't teach skills like that to any baby. They do it all on their own. She crawled several weeks later, of her own accord. She walked just past one year. She's definitely no longer behind.

You are not alone in your worry. But I caution you not to get caught up in comparing him to others. Believe me, you will waste alot of time doing that. I used to worry that she wouldn't learn to read because I wasn't sitting down with her at 4 yod to teach her. I homeschool and most of my friends were doing formal school with their 4 yods. I was barely keeping up with life with 3 little ones at the time. She learned to read when all the rest of the kids took off with their reading (took her 5 months to really get it while it took everyone longer because their kids weren't ready) and now she reads more books in a month than most of those children read in a year. She just finished "The Little Princess" that I had trouble reading aloud to her when she was younger. She amazes me. (I wasn't a reader like she is.) I have learned from that dear child that comparing only sets her up to fail in my eyes and it just stresses me out. When I stopped comparing her, I began to success as a mother and she began to succeed at just about anything she touched. . .even if it did take her longer than others - but how notices. hehehe!!!! And I have applied this to every other child I now have.

Be patient with him. Continue to do what you are doing. To be honest, what you describe sounds like a very laid back little guy with no where to go and all the time in the world to ge things done. You will cultivate such a wonderful child if you sit back and just wait for him to do it in his time. I believe they gain confidence from that. My youngest is very laid back. He didn't crawl until much later and he didn't walk until almost 15 mos. He's as laid back as can be (unless he doesn't get his way. Sheesh!!!) You really do sound like your doing a great job with him. And I love your concern for him. You make a great mommy.

God Bless.

mom of 5 w/ #6 due Nov 08

Sounds like it's your first child... Considering that and that he's a boy, you have nothing to worry about. My daughter is now 8 1/2 months old and just started crawling (sort of). This is most likely because we hold her SO much. She's my third. I also have a 10 year old boy and an 8 year old girl. My first born (my son) started EVERYTHING late. It's because he was the first...and spoiled...and a boy. Boys always start a little later than girls. My 8 year old girl started crawling at 6 months. They all have they're own time. The "average ages" of crawling, walking, etc. are average. Some don't start until a year...or even after. Well, again, you have nothing to worry about. If you want to speed it up a little, give him some more "floor time" everyday and encourage him. If he gets frustrated, don't push it. It'll come naturally. Boys are always a little later maturing with all the milestones. Just enjoy him and it'll come soon enough!! You'll be missing the days when he'd just stay put!! :)

Every child is very different. You can't force him into development skills. You might not want to hear that. I have 2 boys 7yrs old and 2yrs old. Both are very different from one another. My oldest didn't crawl until a year. He didn't walk until 18 months. He didn't talk in 3 word sentences until 3 yrs old! Yes we went to the specialist, and yes we got him into the school system early. This doesn't mean he is a normal child. We have several special needs that hold him back on a regular basis.

My 2 year old on the other hand hit all the mile markers except for speech on time. We have started speech therapy and hope for the best!

You have plenty of time in your childs life to be worried. Don't sweat the small stuff. If he weren't crawling by 15 months I might say there was a problem. Good Luck

Heard from many mom's that boy babies don't crawl until later on. Some never crawl they just start walking when they are 14-15 month old. I have a 11 month old grandson and he is not yet crawling. I'm looking for him to just get up and start walking someday and forget the crawling.

Don't wory about he will get a moving real soon. Just think you don't have to take all the things off the tables yet.

Stop carrying him so much and get him down on the ground. Get down on the ground with him this will make it more fun for him if you are down there with him. Give him more tummy time, my son HATED it too. Use yourself as the "toy" and encourage him to move towards you. As the other person said you cant force him to crawl he will do it when he is ready, my son was around 9 months I think when he started to crawl and hasnt stopped since. He is now walking at 13 months. My son was also pulling himself up around 7 months too. BUT its all good and your son's development is fine. He will crawl when he is ready and when he feels confident.

My daughter started crawling at 7 months and is now 8 months. I always had her on her belly so she would get use to the position. They make toys now that encourage baby's to craw by pushing away when they try to play with them. My daughter learned to crawl by playing with a large bouncy ball. The important thing is to stay in the floor with her and play as much as you can. Pull the toys a little further out of their reach when they try reach for it.

Try getting a blanket and put it under his belly with the each end in your hands. Move him forward a little like you were going to pick him up off the ground. Don't go too fast, just let him feel the motion of what it would be like to crawl. In a few days you'll be wishing he was still sitting!LOL

You can't *force* a baby to crawl. Just like you can't *force* a baby to sit-up or walk.

All babies sit up, crawl and walk at their own pace.

NO, 9 months isn't too young to be crawling, but it also doesn't mean that the baby HAS to be crawling at 9 months.

SOME babies never crawl .. and just start walking.

Relax, he's a BABY. Let him be a baby and stop trying to push him!

Babies develop at different ages. Ask your parents when you started crawling, and his father's parents when he started. My daughter is already "creeping" around while holding onto tables, couch's, legs and she's 6 mo. I talked to someone else about his 14 mo. who just started crawling. When he's ready, watch out because you won't be able to keep up with him. Just a word of caution, double check everything at his eye level, baby proof, baby proof, and oh yeah baby proof! Very important. What you miss he will find.

Don't forget, if you have any concerns about his development ask your pediatrician. They have up to date information, if you have been taking him for his regular visits, they should be able to catch any problems before they become worse.

Good luck

P.S. Have you tried showing him how to crawl. It sounds funny, but you get on all fours and crawl around. If you have other children around have them do it, they love to teach babies stuff. Have fun and enjoy.

My baby is 11 months and just started to crawl on his hands and knees. I think he started to 'army crawl' at about 9.5 months. Your little guy, like mine, might be a little slow in reaching this milestone, but is perfectly normal.