9 Month old not crawling yet?

Question

My son is 9 months old, (he has been around 25lbs since he was 6 months old) and I'm a little bit worried because he's not crawling, or even able to pull himself up to a sitting position yet. If I sit him down he can stay there by himself, but if he falls down then he is unable to pull himself up. I try and help him to crawl by putting him on his tummy, but as soon as he is on his tummy he rolls right over onto his back (he's hated being on his tummy since he was born). Are there some things that I can do to help him? I should say that I have talked to the doctor, and he's not worried because otherwise he is developing well (he has 4 teeth, babbles alot, is using his pincer grasp etc...) What kinds of things did you do to help your babies? Could it be because he has been so big ever since he was born?

Answer 1

It is typical for a mom to worry about her child. Not all kids crawl. My middle child never crawl and started walking at the age of 10 months old. Every kid is different. If your pediatrician tells you that everything is OK than believe the doctor. Doctors see a lot of different kids all the time so they know better. Relax and enjoy your baby!

Answer 2

Babies can only work on a particular set of skills at one time, like speech OR gross motor OR fine motor skills. Looks like he's been more interested in talking and his fine motor skills, so his crawling and maybe walking may take longer. If he is already using the pincer grasp, this is not something MOST babies do until 10-11 months.

And when the go to learn a new skill, skills they had been using or doing may regress a bit. This is all very normal. I'm no doc, but I do NOT think his weight has anything to do with it.

I have had three babies and two were at different ends of the scale. My first son was on the move very early, crawling at 4 mo and walking at 10 months. BUT he was not saying Hi/Bye until about 18 months (12/13 mo. is average). He made up for 'lost time' after that. Little girl was babbling quickly and scooting around on her back pushing with her feet, but not truly crawling. She did not really crawl at all, mainly rolled and back scooted where she wanted to go. Then she did not walk until about 16 mo.

Now both are right on track for their age. It's just babies have SO much growing and learning to do in the first year some things get ahead of others. Wait a couple more months and see what he's doing.

Here are two links for BabyCenter (love this site!) articles - one on crawling and one on developmental milestones.
Developmental milestones: Crawling
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/6501.html
Milestone chart: 7 to 12 months
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babydevelopment/1496587.html

Hope this helps ease the mind! Take care you'll do great!

Answer 3

Well if your doctor says that the baby is developping fine, then I wouldn't worry. My bf's mom said that my bf never crawled... he just learned how to walk. It's kind of funny, she said she could sit him in the middle of the room and he wouldn't know what to do! (Unless he was near something that he could pull himself up on so he could walk.)

If he hates being on his tummy, have you tried putting a pillow or something to prop him up a little bit when he's laying on his stomach? That might help him get up on his knees and get moving around a little bit.

Don't be too worried, all babies are different! Just keep trying... remember he may not ever crawl!

Good luck!

Answer 4

You can start to work him into tummy time by distracting him while he is on his tummy. Get him flipped over and then play with some toys, give him some things to look at. He'll start to forget he is on his tummy. If he has problems holding his head up, you can put a rolled up hand towel on his chest to help prop him up a bit.

Some babies never crawl, so you shouldn't be that worried you are missing something. Many mothers 'wish' their baby didn't crawl (they are so hard to chase down once they get moving :-)

I would note that there is a growing body of evidence AGAINST walkers. The injury rate from walkers is HUGE and many pediatricians are actively discouraging the use of walkers today. I would talk to your doctor before even considering a walker (and they will probably talk you out of it)

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20060307/baby-walker-injuries-drop

Answer 5

I have this conversation with one of the parents in my daycare often. Her little girl is 9 months old and also is not crawling, sounds a lot like yours. My little girl just turned 6 months and is crawling already...I really don't think there is a lot you can do, some babies just aren't motivated to crawl. I've been trying all the same things on both the girls and my little girl is just more mobile than the other. Will he try to walk if you hold his hands? Some kids just go straight to walking :)

Answer 6

Some babies don't even crawl at all. They just start pulling themsevles up and take off. Other babies crawl on their bum. I actually had a friend whose son did that. I wouldn't worry about it especially if the doctor isn't worried.

It also sounds like maybe he's a little uncoordinated because he's a little heavier. Once he decides he's ready to take off...be careful. It's also possible he's been practicing in his crib or is mentally preparing himself for the big event.

With my son I'd put him on his belly on a Little Einstein's play mat. They have the animals on it and that kept him interested. I'd put toys just out of his reach so he'd have to go get them.

Have you tried standing him up? Like on a sofa or anything? Maybe put some toys on the sofa to keep him entertained? Maybe that'll get him moving...

Answer 7

Some babies don't ever crawl -- they just start walking all of a sudden. My daughter crawled for what seemed like ages. I actually thought she'd never walk! However, my son -- he was a way different story! He never crawled, never even seemed inclined to. One day I was on the couch and he was on the floor and when I looked down at him he was standing up and I put my arms out to him and he took his first couple of tenative steps toward me and, let me tell you, he's been on the go ever since and that was 13 years ago!

Answer 8

Dont worrie he will crawle in his own time. My daughter was calic for 3 mounths and hated being on her stomic for even 1 minute. She ended up just rolling and then one day when she really wanted a toy she went and got it. Try putting toys he really like about a foot away from him so he has to some how move to get them. Once he gets them in a couple of days move them another foot, so on and so on. He will crawl when he is ready. My daughter is 13 mounths and shill dosen't walk. So, don't rush him he will crawl and trust me as much as you want him to crawl now you wont want him to crawl when he can. He will get into everything. So good luck and trust he will crawl. Just try the thing with the toys it worked on my daughter.

Answer 9

Don't worry, all babies began crawling, teething, walking, talking, etc...at different stages. Don't ever compare your child with other children, you set yourself up for a world of worrrying. Only be concerned if you see physical changes like, weight loss, constant vomitting, no response when the baby hears noise. Then you should consult a doctor to rule out any physical impairments.

Answer 10

Don't worry, my oldest son never crawled. He went straight to walking at about 12 months. My other two both crawled, my daughter at 6 months and my son at 10. Children are soooo different in their development, no need to be worried at all!!!