thread: 8mon old not happy on tummy - will he ever crawl

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Happiness
    109

    8mon old not happy on tummy - will he ever crawl

    Hi all
    I know I shouldn't compare but DS#1 (now nearly 5) was crawling at 7 mons & walking at 11mons. I thought that was pretty normal. My 8 mon old DS#2, is only happy on his tummy for about 5 mins and only seems truly happy when he stands (asssited) He barely ever just sits on your lap, he just pushing up to stand. I hear - "oh he is going to walk before he crawls" comments. Do I need to worry? I wonder sometimes if he has a sore tummy because he is unhappy lying on his belly?
    Do I just need more patience maybe?
    R

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    Sunny Qld
    14,682

    Hmm.. my DS was never THAT happy on his belly - he sat at 7 months, crawled at 9 and walked at 15.5 months...

    DD isn't anywhere near sitting up at 6 months, but I'm not too concerned yet.

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Feb 2006
    South Eastern Suburbs, Vic
    6,054

    It can be hard not to worry I know. I'd be surprised if it was a huge problem if your bub walked before crawling - I mean, people say things about crawling being good for a child's development, but you can't force a baby to crawl can you.

    And just reading again, your bub is only 8 months! That's fine! I think your first was just pretty advanced! My second bub started crawling around 9 months I think! Some kids do things early, some do things late. My first child still isn't talking at 2 years 4 months, and didn't walk til 18 months.
    They're all different.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jun 2008
    Tassie
    2,567

    have you had it checked? It shouldn't be really bothering him at 8 months and my friends little miss had a hernia that they only discovered when she was still unhappy on her tummy at 8 months.

    Chase crawled at 4 months 3 weeks and Ashton is about to start but he loves his tummy time. Jaidan bum shuffled everywhere until 11 months. Every bub is different but if he is really unhappy on his tummy that would be worrying me, not the fact that he isn't crawling.

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Mar 2008
    Nth West Melbourne
    997

    My bubs, almost 8 months, also isn't particularly happy on his tummy. He is ok for a few minutes, but then starts to seriously cry about it- I think he's learned when he does that we pick him up! He is capable of rolling, but doesn't.

    He is, however, sitting on his own, and I read that they can often get themselves from a sitting position into a hands and knees position, then the rock back and forth and then crawl. So I am encouraged by that- is your LO sitting?

    I feel bad too. All the other kids in mothers group and rolling and shuffling and commando crawling etc and Peter just happily sits there on his bum.

    I have considered taking him to a physio who treats babies because he had a difficult birth and I wonder whether there isn;t some residual structural issues from that- if his back is hurting him, it could affect tummy time- maybe the same for your LO??

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Nov 2005
    Ontario, Canada
    1,624

    My babies have all HATED tummy time. And I never pushed it. They all had good births, too, so it wasn't related to that. And they all crawled a little later than "normal" but not too much. I believe 10 months is pretty average for real crawling, (creeping or scooting may come earlier, but my kids never did that) and mine were all around 11 months. They all walked around 13 months. Don't stress about it, I'd say. There is a huge range of "normal" in infants. If something is really worrying you, mention it to your GP at your next visit, and he/she can determine whether follow-up is needed.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Jul 2007
    Camden - Sydney
    297

    I wouldn't worry too much about not crawling. A clinic nurse has told me recently that crawling isn't even on the developmental 'checklist' anymore because some babies just don't crawl - they head straight to walking .

    Does your DS have good control if sat upright by himself? Also, as he loves to stand (which IS on the checklist), I wouldn't worry too much as he seems to be doing just fine.

    My DD started crawling a few weeks ago and people don't believe me when I say that she is mobile - and not just bum-shuffling - real crawling on hands and knees.

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Happiness
    109

    Thanks everyone - very re-assuring. I guess DS#1 was very advance in many ways. Already saying words at 6months etc!

    My LO is sitting up very happily, if not for a long time, but happy. Both babes had tough births and have had osteo to help, but will still get baby checked as he certainly find tummy time distressing. But then again he hates not being able to see someone - he just freaks out if he thinks he's alone. Drives me nuts

    Thanks again
    Rx

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    Southwest Syd
    1,858

    My GF's bub never crawled, never on her hands and knees ever, she hated being on her tummy too. She did the bum shuffle but was only doing that for a little while before she went straight to walking, so I wouldn't worry!

    Words at 6 months wow!

  10. #10
    Registered User

    Aug 2007
    Happiness
    109

    thank you all so so much, I have officially stopped stressing! He is happy on his bum and bounces about a bit so all is well.
    R xo