Teaching Your Baby to Crawl
Your little one is ready to take their first steps? We are there with you to help you get your little one up and running. Once they start taking their first steps you will be seeing them going off to college already!
The key is being patient and recognizing that each baby is different, and so is their pace to learn. You can encourage your little one to take their first steps, however, you need to allow them to feel ready.
Below we have listed some key steps and collected some useful documentation for all our lovely parents. Read along to learn more about how to teach a baby to crawl.
When will my baby start crawling?
Babies typically learn to crawl between 6 and 12 months of age. They begin by developing the muscles in their arms and legs, which allows them to lift their head and shoulders and push themselves up on their hands and knees. They then learn to rock back and forth on their hands and knees, which helps them to build the strength and coordination needed for crawling. Once they have mastered rocking, they typically begin to move forward by using a combination of their arms and legs to "scoot" or "inchworm" their way across the floor. As they continue to practice and develop their muscle strength and coordination, they eventually learn to crawl more efficiently, using a typical crawling pattern of one arm and opposite leg moving together.
How can I help my baby learn to crawl?
How to help baby crawl most parents ask. To encourage your little one to crawl, place toys or objects just out of their reach to motivate them to move forward. Also, place your baby on their stomach several times a day for supervised "tummy time" to strengthen their neck and arm muscles. Additionally, avoid overuse of walkers or other devices that restrict movement as it can delay crawling.
Here are some ways you can help your baby learn to crawl:
- Tummy time: Place your little baby on their stomach several times a day for supervised "tummy time" to strengthen their neck and arm muscles. Start with short periods of time and gradually increase as your baby becomes more comfortable.
- Encourage reaching: Place toys or objects just out of your baby's reach to motivate them to move forward and start crawling.
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Limit the use of walkers or other devices: You can support your little one’s steps by purchasing certain devices. Take a look at Peekaboo’s devices to get your little one up and running. As with anything in life, avoid overuse of devices that restrict movement, such as walkers, as they can delay the development of crawling, and make sure you consult your pediatrician.
- Create an open space: Clear a space for your little one to move around freely, without too many obstacles that could block their way or pose a safety hazard.
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Play with them: Play with your baby, roll a ball back and forth to each other, or move a toy in a way that will encourage your baby to chase after it.
- Be patient: Every baby develops at their own pace, so be patient and keep encouraging your baby to explore and move.
Remember that crawling is a big milestone, but it is not the only one, or the only way to get around, some babies may not crawl at all and will skip to walk or even scoot. Always remember ways how to teach baby to crawl and consult your pediatrician for help and advice.