9 month old not crawling

[Snapdragon]

I don't have a lot to compare my experience with my 9 mo ds to- other than the babies I see who are his age. I think all of the babies I actually know who are ds's age (9 months) are crawling. DS can't crawl or scoot forwards at all. He can "crawl" in a circle only. He has done this for a few months. He is able to get around a room to go after a toy by going in circles and also rolling over. He reaches for the toys if they are in front of him  and goes after things the best he can. But as for going forwards, he just can't do it yet and just gets frustrated and cries after a while!

He is sitting up well, and he really likes standing position- he can hold on to a couch and hold himself up, or just hold his hands in ours and stand up. But no crawling.

I know this is on the late side, but is it still within a fairly common range of timetable? Anyone else have a 9 mo who doesn't crawl yet? I am not really worried too much- occasionally I guess, but more just not really sure of the range of normal for this, or also if there is anything I can do to support or encourage him to crawl. I would like any suggestions if there are. thanks.

[etsdtm99]

my DD crawled at 9.5 mo, & at least one friend's DD crawled at 10.5 mo.. some babies never crawl, its not required to "crawl before you walk"  :)

[ElliesMomma]

not crawling at 9 months is totally within range of normal!! sounds like he's more into standing... and being frustrated at not being able to crawl is immediate precursor to crawling. what can you do to encourage him? get in front of him a few feet away with something that he really really wants, such as the remote control or your cell phone. you know, the "no no" things... and let him cry and try and get himself over to hit any which way that he can. also, expose him on playdates to other similar aged or older children who are already crawling and walking. he'll catch on soon!!

[PatioGardener]

I love the WHO charts.  They show the range of normal, and then there is a table to see average and percentiles.

http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/mm_windows_graph.pdf

and

http://www.who.int/childgrowth/standards/mm_percentiles_table.pdf

So reassuring! 

[Motivated Mama]

This sounds fine to me, but if you have concerns, I think you should bring it up to your ped.

DS couldn't bring himself to a sitting position at 9 months.  He could sit if placed there, but would not catch himself if he started to topple.  He was behind about 5 months.  We didn't address it until he was 9 months since he seemed to be doing OK in other aspects.

[marinak1977]

OP - DS was exactly like your little guy with respect to motor development. He rolled and pivoted for a long time but only figured out how to deliberately move forward around 9.5 months. He also sat and started pulling up before he crawled. He started by army crawling, then cross crawling at about 10.5 months. Now he zooms around like a little race car and is also cruising and climbing. Unless something else is worrying you your DS sounds like he's doing really well.

[Snapdragon]

thanks everyone!

 I think, from reading the responses- that part of it is that he has not had enough time around other similarly aged or older babies as of yet- but that is soon going to change because we just moved to a different area with lots more social opportunities- precisely for this reason ( ie - having a baby made us want to be closer to other people- we were living in an area that was hard to be around people w- out driving a lot- and just moved somewhere with lots of access to others and a weekly baby play group very close by) so I really plan to socialize him more with other babies.

[Llyra]

Only one of my three ever crawled. DD1 did-- she started at 8.5 months. DD2 at that age got around by pushing herself around backwards on her belly; she progressed to scooting on her backside and pushing with one hand, at about ten months. She never crawled. DS didn't move at all until around ten months, and once he did, he scooted on his behind.

Anyway, they're all big kids now, and perfectly normal in all aspects of development. I don't see any difference between my crawler and my non-crawlers. If anything, it's DD2 who's got the most advanced motor skills for her age.

I wouldn't worry about it. I also wouldn't worry too much about same-age socialization at this age. There's no harm in it, if you enjoy it, but it's certainly not necessary. Baby will progress at her own rate, regardless of whether she sees other babies or not, if she is given opportunities to try.

[SilverFish]

my 10 month old is still only crawling two steps at a time. left knee, right hand, right knee, left hand... pause... this is too much work! flop on the belly and slide... and she only started actually moving her knees in the last few days. before she was just doing her belly slide everywhere. this is despite being around crawlers and cruisers two or three times a week since she was 5 months old. i do think that having a more physically competent baby around can be a bit of a motivator if they are just at that point of mastering a skill though. we have been at my mom's house for about 10 days with my 12 month old nephew, and she has acquired some serious mobility in that time frame. but, without all those pieces of the puzzle already in place, being around babies who can do more isn't going to help her do anything faster.

[memz]

My DD crawled at 10-10.5 months, started furniture walking at 11 months and has started taking a few steps here and there at 11.5...so onothing to worry about.

[Knitting Mama]

Originally Posted by SilverFish 

my 10 month old is still only crawling two steps at a time. left knee, right hand, right knee, left hand... pause... this is too much work! flop on the belly and slide...

I love that description, because it is SO very similar to what Cecilia, who is nearly 9 months, is doing right now. She'll go left knee, right hand, right knee, left hand....pause...go backwards into a sitting position. Poor thing seems so very close to getting it, and I swear I'll hold a party when she does, especially if it makes her less whiny to be mobile!!