When Do Babies Start Crawling? A Pediatric PT's Complete Guide
Most babies start crawling between 7 and 10 months of age. Some babies begin as early as 6 months, while others don’t crawl until closer to 12 months. While every baby develops at their own pace, crawling is an important milestone that builds strength, coordination, body awareness, and brain development. If your baby isn’t showing signs of crawling by 9–10 months, a pediatric physical therapy evaluation can help you understand what’s going on and what to do.
Dr. Nicole Crippen Schremp is a board-certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist (PCS) and founder of Movevery PT in Denver, Colorado. She works exclusively with infants and toddlers from newborn through age 3.
Why Crawling Matters More Than You Think
Crawling is one of the most important developmental milestones in a baby’s first year and one that gets a lot of questions.
When a baby crawls, they are:
Building shoulder, core, and hip strength that forms the foundation for walking (think pulling to stand, climbing stairs, and keeping up on the playground)
Developing bilateral coordination: the ability to use both sides of the body together, which requires both hemispheres of the brain to communicate (think cutting with scissors, tying shoes, or riding a bike)
Strengthening the arches of their hands, which supports fine motor skills later (think dressing, zippers, writing, and using utensils)
Integrating primitive reflexes that need to be organized for higher learning (think sitting still in class, focusing, and processing new information)
Developing depth perception, spatial awareness, and balance, shaping how your baby understands and moves through the world (think catching a ball, navigating stairs, and body confidence on the playground)
Supporting sensory development, including proprioceptive input and the visual system, which builds hand-eye coordination (think reaching for objects, self-feeding, and eventually ball skills)
Laying down neural pathways that support reading, writing, and attention (think sounding out words, holding a pencil, and staying focused during storytime)
Crawling is one of those milestones worth investing in. The more time babies spend on the floor building strength, coordination, and body awareness, the stronger the foundation they carry into every skill that comes next.
The Stages of Crawling: What to Expect
Babies move through several distinct stages on the way to crawling, with each one building on the last. Here’s what that progression typically looks like:
Before a baby can move through space, they need to build stability in their body first. Strength and stability in the core, hips, and shoulders are what make controlled, coordinated movement possible. Mobility follows stability. Always.
Stage 1: Tummy Time Strength (0–4 months)
Everything starts with tummy time. When babies spend time on their stomachs, they build the neck, shoulder, and back strength that makes crawling possible. Babies who get plenty of tummy time are better prepared to crawl typically.
Stage 2: Rolling (3–6 months)
Rolling front-to-back and back-to-front is your baby’s first experience with whole-body movement and their first lesson in weight shifting, a core skill for crawling. Rolling is also where trunk rotation begins, the ability to rotate through the trunk independently from the pelvis. This separation of movement is foundational for transitioning in and out of positions all the way through crawling, sitting, and beyond.
Stage 3: Sitting and Weight Bearing on Hands (5–7 months)
As babies begin to sit, they also start bearing weight through their arms, propping on hands, reaching in different directions, and building the wrist and shoulder stability crawling requires. This is also when postural control develops, the ability to maintain core strength while actively moving, so babies can stay stable while reaching, shifting, and exploring.
Stage 4: Getting onto Hands and Knees (6–8 months)
This is the moment parents get excited about. Your baby starts rocking on hands and knees, shifting their weight forward and back. They may pivot in circles or move backward before they figure out forward movement.
Hands and Knees Rocking Rocking on hands and knees is one of the clearest signs crawling is right around the corner — it builds the strength and motor planning needed to move forward.
Stage 5: Crawling (7–10 months)
True hands-and-knees crawling, where the opposite arm and leg move together in a cross-pattern, is the goal. This reciprocal movement builds bilateral coordination and brain integration, but the benefits go much further than that. As babies crawl across the floor, they are also developing depth perception and spatial awareness, learning to judge distances and navigate their environment. Every weight shift through the hands and knees sends proprioceptive input through the joints, building the body awareness that supports balance, coordination, and movement for years to come.
Not all babies crawl the same way. Here are the most common variations and what they can tell you:
Bear crawling — hands and feet flat on the floor with straight arms and legs. This is often a transitional pattern, but if it becomes your baby’s primary way of moving, a PT can help assess what’s driving it.
Bottom scooting — sitting and scooting forward on the bottom. This pattern often reflects something going on in the trunk, pelvis, core, or upper extremities and warrants a PT evaluation.
Hitch crawling — crawling with one leg up instead of both knees down. This affects proprioceptive input and often indicates tightness in the trunk and/or pelvis. A PT can help identify what’s going on and how to support it.
Rolling to move — some babies roll across the room as their primary means of getting around. If rolling is replacing crawling rather than leading up to it, a PT evaluation is worth it.
Each of these patterns has something to tell you. A pediatric PT can help you understand what’s driving the movement and what your baby needs.
What Age Do Babies Start Crawling?
The typical crawling window is 7 to 10 months, but the range is wide. Here's a general developmental timeline:
6 months: Some early movers begin crawling, often army-style
7–8 months: Many babies begin hands-and-knees rocking and first attempts at crawling
9–10 months: Most babies are crawling confidently and exploring independently
11–12 months: Some babies reach crawling at the later end of the typical range
12+ months: If your baby is not crawling or not moving independently, a PT evaluation is recommended
Keep in mind that premature babies should be evaluated on their adjusted age rather than their chronological age.
Signs Your Baby Is Getting Ready to Crawl
Before your baby takes their first crawling "steps," you'll notice them building up to it. Watch for:
Pushing up onto hands and knees and rocking back and forth
Pivoting in circles on their belly or in sitting
Reaching far out of their base of support in sitting
Pulling themselves forward on their belly (army crawl)
Pulling up onto furniture or your legs
Moving backward before they figure out forward
All of these are signs that your baby's nervous system is organizing and that crawling is around the corner.
Army crawling is an early form of independent movement that builds the shoulder, core, and arm strength babies need before hands-and-knees crawling develops.
How to Encourage Crawling at Home
There's a lot you can do at home to support your baby's crawling development. Here are the most effective strategies, straight from a pediatric PT:
1. Prioritize Tummy Time Every Day
Tummy time is the single best thing you can do to prepare your baby for crawling. Even short, frequent sessions, two to three minutes several times a day, add up. If your baby hates tummy time, try it on your chest, over a rolled blanket under their chest, or right after a diaper change when they’re already on their belly. If your baby is consistently resisting tummy time, it’s worth reaching out to a pediatric PT.
2. Create an Irresistible Floor Environment
Put your baby on a firm, flat surface (not a bouncy mat or thick carpet) and place toys just slightly out of reach. The motivation to get to something interesting is one of the most powerful crawling triggers. But the most powerful motivator in the room is you. Get on the floor with them. Make eye contact, call their name, let them see your face. Babies are wired to move toward the people they love.
3. Reduce Time in Containers
Bouncers, swings, Bumbos, and baby loungers are convenient, but they limit the floor time babies need to build the strength and coordination that leads to crawling. Try to limit container time to 15–20 minutes at a stretch and give your baby as much free floor time as possible. If you do need a supported seat, I recommend the Upseat over the Bumbo. It’s designed to support a more neutral pelvic position, which matters for developing core strength and postural control.
4. Practice Tall Kneeling Play
Tall kneeling, where your baby is upright on both knees with hips fully extended rather than sitting back on their heels, is a powerful and often overlooked way to build crawling readiness. It strengthens the hip extensors, core, and glutes that babies need to push forward when crawling.
To encourage tall kneeling, position your baby at a low couch, coffee table, or your lap with toys or books at the right height to keep them engaged. Support their hips gently if needed and let them practice shifting their weight side to side. Even a few minutes of tall kneeling play each day builds the strength that makes crawling easier.
Tall kneeling at a low table or couch is one of the best ways to build the hip, core, and trunk stability babies need before they crawl and eventually stand.
5. Support the Hands-and-Knees Position
You can manually help your baby into a hands-and-knees position and hold them there while they rock. If they need more support, try having them rock over your leg. It gives them the stability to build up the strength to do it. Even passive time in this position helps build the strength and motor memory crawling requires.
6. Use a Mirror
Babies are fascinated by their own reflection. During tummy time, a non-breakable mirror at floor level encourages them to lift and extend their neck, building the strength that supports crawling. When practicing hands-and-knees, position the mirror so your baby is looking out and forward rather than down. Cervical extension in this position helps drive arm extension, which is a small but meaningful detail.
7. Follow Their Lead
If your baby is frustrated, back off and try again later. Forced practice builds negative associations with movement. Keep it playful, keep it positive, and follow their cues. If they consistently struggle or resist, reaching out to a pediatric PT can make all the difference.
When to See a Pediatric Physical Therapist
Most babies crawl on their own timeline with just a supportive environment. But there are signs that warrant a closer look from a pediatric PT:
Your baby is not crawling or moving independently by 11 months
Your baby only uses one side of their body when moving
Your baby skips crawling entirely and goes straight to walking, especially if they have low muscle tone or coordination concerns
Your baby shows significant resistance to tummy time beyond 2.5 months
Your baby was premature and is behind even on adjusted age
Your gut says something is off. Even if no one else seems concerned
In Colorado, you don't need a referral to see a pediatric physical therapist. If you're noticing any of these signs, you can reach out to Movevery PT directly for a complimentary discovery call. Early support makes a meaningful difference.
A pediatric PT evaluation looks at your baby’s overall movement patterns, muscle tone, strength, and coordination. We look at the full picture, not just whether they’re crawling yet. Even if crawling isn’t the issue, we often find related areas that, when supported, unlock the next stage of development.
What If My Baby Skips Crawling?
Some babies skip hands-and-knees crawling altogether and move straight to pulling up and walking. This is more common than many parents realize, and it doesn't automatically mean something is wrong.
That said, babies who skip crawling miss out on the strength, coordination, and neural development that crawling provides. If your baby skips crawling, a PT can assess whether they're getting that developmental input through other means. If not, a PT can guide you through activities that support it.
Skipping crawling combined with low muscle tone, asymmetrical movement, or other developmental concerns is worth evaluating sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do babies start crawling?
Most babies start crawling between 7 and 10 months of age. Some begin as early as 6 months and some not until 12 months. If your baby is not crawling or not moving independently by 11–12 months, a pediatric PT evaluation is recommended.
What are the stages of crawling?
The stages of crawling include: building tummy time strength, rolling, sitting and arm weight bearing, getting onto hands and knees, rocking on hands and knees, army or belly crawling, and finally hands-and-knees cross-pattern crawling. Not all babies move through each stage in the same order or at the same pace.
Is it okay if my baby skips crawling?
Some babies skip crawling and go straight to walking. While this doesn't always cause problems, crawling provides important developmental benefits. If your baby skips crawling, especially alongside other concerns like low tone or asymmetrical movement, a pediatric PT can evaluate whether any support is needed.
How can I encourage my baby to crawl?
The most effective strategies are: prioritizing tummy time daily, creating a floor environment with toys just out of reach, limiting time in bouncers and containers, practicing tall kneeling play at a low table or couch, and manually supporting the hands-and-knees position.
My baby crawls with one leg dragging — is that normal?
Occasional asymmetry when a baby is just learning to crawl is common. But if your baby consistently drags one leg, favors one side, or avoids one arm when crawling, that's worth a pediatric PT evaluation. It can sometimes indicate tightness, weakness, or a neurological pattern that's worth addressing early.
Do I need a referral to see a pediatric PT in Colorado?
No. Colorado is a direct-access state, which means you can book a pediatric PT appointment without a referral from your pediatrician.
Have Questions About Your Baby's Crawling?
At Movevery PT, we specialize in infant and toddler development from newborn through age 3. We offer in-home, clinic, and virtual sessions across Denver and Colorado — and we'd love to talk through what you're noticing with your baby.
Book a complimentary call at moveverypt.com/contact — no referral needed, no pressure.
