For most children, crawling happens naturally. Crawling is an important milestone of gross motor development as it is the first stage where a baby is putting their own weight into their hands and knees. This first stage is very important as it allows for the baby to begin increasing the strength and stability of their upper body.

This foundational milestone will allow for further control over their body whether it be through feeding and dressing themselves or playing on the playground. Crawling is also the first time when the child is finally able to move and explore the places that were once unreachable without the help of mom or dad. This first stage of the independent movement is integral in the development of further stages of movement such as creeping.

Crawling is also very important because it allows them to begin to understand the way in which their body moves. Coordination of the left and right sides of the body is also an important part of gross motor development in children, and this can be progressed through a child finally beginning to crawl.

Most babies should begin to crawl by around 7-9 months, and if this milestone is not met then it may be beneficial to get it checked out. Creeping is the following movement milestone and is identified as having the belly off of the floor while moving. Creeping is also a major progressor of the baby's strength and coordination because it does all that crawling does and more.

Creeping and crawling help the baby improve their body awareness, upper extremity stability, as well as proximal stability and strength. In addition, these skills play major roles in the overall gross motor development of the child for overall strength, body awareness, development of coordination and more!

Do you have questions about your baby’s crawling? Ask one of our skilled physical therapists!