5 Keys To Encouraging Your Baby To Crawl
Although almost all babies learn to crawl on their own, parents can be a great support in helping them achieve this thanks to a few tips. Put them to the test!
The first years of a baby’s life are full of exciting and magical moments. Each progress is a source of pride and celebration for parents. Therefore, surely you want to encourage your baby to crawl.
Babies start crawling between 7 and 9 months old. It happens naturally when the baby is ready. He doesn’t need anyone to teach him how to do it. However, parents can help stimulate the movements that will propel the baby towards his first exploration.
Crawling is considered the first major achievement in psychomotor development. It is the first gesture of independence of the human being. For the first time, this little person can move around on her own. At that moment, a whole world of discovery opens up to him.
Types of crawling steps
Not all babies crawl the same way. There are actually 4 different types of doing this and while some seem more rudimentary than others, that doesn’t mean that one baby is more advanced than another because of the way they crawl on all fours.
The first type is more like an exploration. In this case, the baby does not lift his body but moves forward with his arms. It is something like a crawling soldier.
There is another shape similar to the previous one, but in this case the baby lifts the torso completely with his hands on the floor and pushes himself only with the arms, keeping the legs straight.
The most classic or known is crawling with the hands and knees. The baby is placed on 4 limbs with the knees and hands on the ground. Finally, some babies lift their torso completely, leaning on their hands and feet.
How can you help your baby crawl?
1. Let them play on their stomachs
Normally babies sit and sleep on their backs. Placing them face down on the floor for a while while awake will stimulate certain movements, such as raising the head.
They may not feel comfortable at first. If so, put them on their stomachs for short periods of time and try repeatedly until they get used to it. You can give them toys suitable for babies to distract them. You can also lie on your back and place the baby face down on your chest.
2. Set challenges to make them want to move
When the baby feels more comfortable lying on his stomach, put a toy, preferably his favorite toy, a little out of reach. This will give him motivation to move. Although he looks a little frustrated at first, don’t give him the toy. The baby will improvise ways to reach it and eventually crawl to do so.
3. Walk on all fours with your baby
Babies learn through observation. If they see someone crawling on all fours, they’ll know it’s a possibility. This does not mean that they will do it immediately, but this observation will help them in any case to know that they are able to do it and will give them clues on how to do it.
4. Go for hanging toys
Hanging toys for the baby while lying down helps strengthen his arms and abdominal muscles. The baby will be attracted to the colors and the movement of the mobiles and, when he tries to reach them, he will exercise the muscles he will need later to crawl on all fours.
5. Help him to balance himself
Wrap a towel or blanket and place the baby face down with the towel at the level of his abdomen and chest. Slowly lift the towel so that the baby’s trunk rises. Instinctively, he will rest his hands on the ground. When this happens, rock it back and forth slightly.
You can also do this exercise by lifting the baby with your hands on your hips.
What if your baby can’t learn to crawl?
Although most babies crawl on all fours before walking or leaning on something, there are many who go straight from a sitting position to a supportive position. This is completely normal.
In any case, if you notice that your baby is having difficulty crawling, it is advisable to consult the pediatrician to find out if his motor progress is normal.
