10 Ways to Help Your Baby Crawl

Start with regular tummy time sessions from an early age. Place your baby on their belly while they are awake and supervised. This helps to strengthen their neck, back, and arm muscles, preparing them for crawling.

Use toys, objects, or even yourself as motivation for your baby to move towards. Place interesting toys just out of reach to encourage reaching and crawling movements.

Clear a safe area for your baby to explore. Remove any hazards or sharp objects, and make sure the floor is clean and soft. Consider using foam mats or rugs for extra cushioning.

Toys designed to encourage crawling, such as soft play tunnels or textured mats, can motivate babies to move and explore.

Get down on the floor and crawl around with your baby. Babies often mimic what they see, so demonstrating crawling movements can encourage them to try it themselves.

Place your hands behind your baby's feet while they are in a crawling position. Gently encourage them to push off with their legs, helping them experience the movement of crawling.

Help your baby learn to shift their weight from side to side by placing toys slightly to the left and right of them. This encourages them to reach and move their body in different directions.

Offer lots of praise and encouragement when your baby attempts to crawl, even if they only move a small distance. Positive reinforcement can boost their confidence and motivation to keep trying.

While baby gear like swings and bouncers are convenient, they can limit opportunities for crawling practice. Allow your baby plenty of time for free movement on the floor.

Every baby develops at their own pace, so be patient and supportive throughout the process. Some babies may skip crawling altogether and move straight to walking, which is perfectly normal. Celebrate each milestone your baby reaches, whether it's crawling, scooting, or walking.