At what age should a child start crawling?

When Do Children Typically Start Crawling?

Most children begin crawling between 8-9 months of age, though the normal range extends from 6 to 10 months. Crawling is an important developmental milestone that promotes motor development and helps minimize the risk of positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome).

Normal Motor Development Timeline

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) outlines the following motor development timeline related to crawling and associated skills:

• 4-5 months: Develops postural control, head stability while sitting with support, transfers objects between hands
• 6-7 months: Beginning to develop trunk strength needed for crawling
• 8-9 months: Sits without support, begins crawling, transfers objects between hands 1, 2
• 10 months: Sits without support, crawls effectively, stands with support 2

Factors Affecting Crawling Development

Several factors can influence when a child begins to crawl:

• Tummy time: Regular supervised tummy time while awake is essential for developing the upper body strength needed for crawling 1
• Motor development sequence: Research shows that proper position of the pelvis at 3 months of age is important for achieving proper crawl position by 7 months 3
• Individual variation: Some children may skip crawling altogether and move directly to pulling up and walking
• Prewalking strategies: Children who crawl on hands and knees tend to walk independently about 0.9 months earlier than those who "bottom shuffle" 4

Clinical Implications

• Developmental surveillance: The AAP recommends standardized developmental screening at 9,18, and 30 months 1, 2
• 9-month visit assessment: By this visit, infants should roll to both sides, sit well without support, and demonstrate motor symmetry 1
• Delayed crawling: If a child hasn't started crawling by 10 months, it may warrant closer developmental monitoring, though this alone is not necessarily cause for concern

Promoting Healthy Motor Development

1. Provide daily supervised tummy time from early infancy to promote motor development and upper body strength 1
2. Ensure safe play environments that allow for unstructured exploration under adult supervision 1
3. Limit use of restrictive devices such as car seats, swings, and strollers when the child is awake and can be active
4. Vary infant positions throughout the day to prevent positional plagiocephaly and promote balanced muscle development 1

Important Considerations

• If a child can roll from supine to prone and from prone to supine (typically occurring at 4-6 months), they may be allowed to remain in the sleep position they assume, though they should still initially be placed supine for sleep 1
• The incidence of SIDS begins to decline after 4 months of age 1
• Failure to attain crawling position by 7 months may delay further motor development 3

While most children follow this typical developmental timeline, individual variations are common and expected. If parents have concerns about their child's motor development, they should discuss these with their pediatrician during regular well-child visits.