Most babies start crawling between 6 and 10 months of age, on average around 8 to 9 months. According to a large WHO study, anything between 5 and 13½ months is normal. About 4% of babies even skip crawling altogether—and still start walking just fine.
When do babies start crawling? 📅
The most reliable figures come from the WHO Motor Development Study. For this study, 816 children in Ghana, India, Norway, Oman, and the U.S. were monitored from 4 to 24 months of age. The result: For every major motor milestone, there is a broad “time window” during which almost all healthy children reach it.
| Milestone | Typical Time Window |
|---|---|
| Sitting unaided | 3.8–9.2 months |
| Crawling on hands and knees | 5.2–13.5 months |
| First steps while holding hands | 5.9–13.7 months |
| Walking on their own | 8.2–17.6 months |
Source: WHO Multicenter Growth Reference Study (2006)
So a baby who starts running at six months and one who doesn’t start crawling until just over a year old are both perfectly within the normal range. There’s a difference of more than eight months between the earliest and latest crawlers.
For preemies, by the way, it’s the corrected age that counts: A baby born two months early can take two extra months to start crawling.
From Rolling Over to Crawling: The Early Stages 🔄
Crawling doesn’t happen overnight. It builds on many small steps that your baby practices all on their own:
- Tummy time & forearm support: Lifting their head and supporting themselves on their forearms—this strengthens their neck, shoulders, and back.
- Rolling over: First from the tummy to the back, then back again. Suddenly, the world is within reach.
- Crawling on the Belly: Many babies first pull themselves forward on their bellies—often backward at first.
- All-Fours & Rocking: Rocking back and forth on hands and knees—that’s the starting signal.
- Crawling: The arm and opposite leg move forward at the same time. A real feat of coordination!
Crawling on all fours, sliding on the bottom, bear crawl: Every baby has their own way 🐻
Not every baby crawls “by the book.” Some slide across the apartment on their bottoms, others roll, walk on all fours like a bear, or pull themselves up directly from the sofa. According to Berlin pediatrician Jakob Maske, this applies to about one in three children.
The good news: Crawling isn’t a mandatory milestone. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even removed crawling from its official milestone checklist in 2022—because there are so many healthy variations. And developmental psychologist Prof. Gudrun Schwarzer from Giessen emphasizes: Children who don’t crawl don’t face any disadvantages later on. They simply find other ways.
Why You Can Give Your Baby Time 🐢
It’s only human: You want to help, give a nudge, and practice. But experts agree—when it comes to crawling, less is more.
- 🧘 Discovering on their own instead of being placed: Hungarian pediatrician Emmi Pikler observed decades ago that babies move most safely when they reach every position on their own. Anyone who sits a baby down or puts them on all fours is robbing them of precisely this learning experience.
- 🚫 No crawling training needed: Pediatricians advise against targeted practice. Your baby knows what they want to learn next.
- ⚠️ Stay away from baby walkers: Pediatricians are among the harshest critics of rolling “baby walkers.” Babies can reach speeds of up to 10 km/h in them, fall down stairs, or grab hot cups. They’ve been banned in Canada since 2004. Plus, children who spend a lot of time in them tend to walk later.
- 💛 Stop comparing: Crawling group isn’t a competition. Whether your baby crawls at seven or twelve months says nothing about their future development.
Here’s how to support your baby—without any pressure 🤸
- 🧸 Tummy time while awake: Your baby should always sleep on their back. But during the day, when they’re awake and you’re there, tummy time is invaluable. Studies show that babies who spend little time on their tummies often reach milestones like crawling a bit later.
- 🏡 Open floor instead of a baby bouncer: A safe, not-too-soft surface on the floor is the best playground. Baby bouncers, infant car seats, and high chairs shouldn’t make up the majority of your baby’s waking hours.
- 🎯 Spark curiosity: Place favorite toys just out of reach—and position yourself at eye level with them.
- 🔒 Childproof your home: Outlets, cords, cleaning supply cabinets, and stairs—before your baby becomes mobile, it’s worth taking a tour on your knees.
The Right Clothing for Little Explorers 🧶
Anyone learning to crawl needs one thing above all else: freedom of movement. Pants that are too tight, stiff fabrics, and thick seams put the brakes on any urge to explore.
- 👖 Soft pants for the knees: On hardwoodor tile floors, soft cashmere leggings protect the knees without restricting movement. Cashmere is stretchy, doesn’t itch, and keeps you warm—ideal for long exploration tours across cool floors.
- 🧥 Short, lightweight cardigan: A thin cashmere cardigan keeps the upper body warm without weighing down the arms or getting in the way when your child uses their hands to support themselves.
- 🦶 Warm feet—depending on the floor: On carpet and on cool days, soft cashmere socks keep little feet warm without feeling tight. On smooth surfaces like tile or laminate, non-slip socks with grippy soles are the safe choice—especially if your baby is already pulling themselves up. And in the summer, when it’s really warm? Then your little explorer can, of course, go barefoot.
- ☁️ Soft surface: A cashmere baby blanket on the floor becomes a cozy tummy time haven—warm, soft, and breathable.
And don’t worry about knee stains: Cashmere is more durable than many people think and can be washed on the wool cycle at 30 °C.
When should you see a pediatrician? 🩺
There’s a huge range of variation when it comes to crawling—but there are still signs that indicate you should seek medical advice:
- Your baby consistently uses one side of their body significantly less than the other—and this pattern persists.
- They’re losing skills they had already mastered.
- They still can’t sit up on their own by about one year of age.
- Your gut feeling tells you that something isn’t right.
Otherwise, the U6 checkup between the 10th and 12th month is the perfect time to calmly discuss any questions you have about your baby’s motor development.
Every baby at their own pace 🤍
Whether at six months or over a year old, whether crawling, scooting, or sliding on their bottom: Your baby will find their own way. You don’t need to push them—just be there to support them. Give them plenty of space, lots of time on the floor, and clothes that move with them. The rest will happen all on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions – When Do Babies Start Crawling? ❓
When do babies start crawling?
Most babies crawl between 6 and 10 months, on average around 8 to 9 months. According to the WHO, anything between 5 and 13½ months is normal.
Is it a problem if my baby doesn’t crawl?
No. About 4% of babies skip crawling on hands and knees entirely; many others scoot or slide on their bottoms. Based on current knowledge, this has no negative effects on their further development.
When do premature babies start crawling?
For premature babies, the corrected age is used—that is, the age calculated from the due date. If your baby was born two months early, the crawling window is also shifted by about two months.
Can you encourage crawling?
Yes—but without training. Plenty of tummy time while awake, open space on the floor, and toys just out of reach are all that’s needed. Don’t put babies in positions they can’t yet reach on their own, and avoid using baby walkers.
What should my baby wear while crawling?
Soft, stretchy clothing that doesn’t restrict movement: for example, cashmere leggings that protect the knees and a light cardigan. On carpet, cashmere socks keep their feet warm; on smooth floors, non-slip socks are safer—and in the summer, they’re welcome to go barefoot.
