11 month old not crawling?

Hello - I am new to this board and would truly value anyone's input on my issue. My 11 month old is extremely social %26amp; has great fine motor skills. She has no problems with her pincer grasp and can easily use her hands to transfer toys or hold on to me. She recognizes familiar faces and is very animated. Very early on, I noticed that she never liked tummy time and still does not. She had previously been referred for testing on her "loose" hips, but the test indicated that they were normal. I am extremely concerned that she does not crawl. Any ideas?


PS - She does not hold her bottle either. She can at times hold a sippy cup when she wants to. Thank you for any feedback you could give me.

11 month old not crawling?
Strange as it may sound to us, crawling is not considered a developmental milestone and many babies never crawl at all. Sitting unassisted, standing, cruising from object to object...these are milestones, but some pediatric books don't even both to discuss crawling. What matters is that a baby finds a way to get around -- some babies scoot on their butts, some wriggle on the floor, some roll over to get around. (Some get around with a variant on hands-and-knees, belly-off-the-floor crawling, called "army crawling" or "commando crawling," when they lie on their belly and use their arms to pull themselves while essentially dragging their legs.) That your baby isn't crawling isn't a concern, but if she's not working on some way to move around on the floor at this point I would consult your pediatrician and ask for a referral to a pediatric physical therapist, for an assessment. (I assume she's sitting up unassisted at this point -- is that correct?)





That said, 11 months is hardly off the charts for starting to move around; nonetheless, if there is no progress in that area I would proceed with consulting a physical therapist. I would also continue to spend "tummy time" with her -- have you tried using a boppy or other "raised" object to help with that? My own babies hated tummy time but I found propping them up on a boppy pillow worked wonders. Other things you can do to help: encourage exploring of her surroundings on the floor by placing toys she enjoys just a bit out of her reach...not so far away so as to discourage her, but rather, close enough to entice her to find a way to get the toy.





The downside with the back-to-sleep campaign is that babies have been spending less time on their bellies. It's actually reached a point where the American Academy of Pediatrics if working on revising the schedule of milestones because of the numbers of babies now considered "delayed" -- in other words, the norms have shifted. (But, as I said, crawling is not even considered a developmental milestone.) They are also refining the slogan so that the importance of tummy time is drilled into parents' heads ("back to sleep, prone to play").





As far as the bottle, neither of my babies ever held their own bottles. (They are 15 months now). Many babies don't. And for many that do, I've watched their parents work hard at teaching them that particular skill, or else they won't bother. My daughter did fine with a sippy cup but my son didn't seem to. With sippies, you'll find that a child may like one and dislike the next, etc. -- it can take several purchases of several different kinds of transitional/sippy cups until a parent finds one that her/his child will use. Also, your child may simply not want to -- I was convinced my son was capable, but either not interested or just lazy about it. Sure enough, when he caught a stomach bug and couldn't hold anything down for a day -- and, consequently, was absolutely starving the next morning when I handed him a sippy cup -- he downed the liquid like he'd been using the sippy all his life. Proving that he just wasn't interested....but was absolutely on the ball with what to do and how to do it. As for the bottle....I didn't bother with trying to force them to hold the bottles -- they were independent in other ways and there was no question about it reflecting any kind of delay or disability.....plus I felt better when I learned that so many many babies never hold their own bottles anyway....and with pediatricians generally wanting parents to stop with bottles when a baby is 12 months it made a heck of a lot more sense to focus on other things! (In other words, please don't listen to anyone who rudely answers you that "it's outragous" that you don't force your baby to hold her own bottle at 11 months.)





Hope this helps.
Reply:Crawling is the one skill that is not indicative of future development, meaning that we would not refer to a baby as being behind when they aren't crawling. This is because not all babies crawl. Other gross motor development that is important at this age is pulling to a stand, and cruising furniture. Is she doing that? If she is, then she's right where she should be developmentally. If not, then maybe a physical therapy evaluation is in indicated. Loose hips can mean a few different things, and a PT should look at her. There are services in every state for children birth-3 years old that are free of charge and mandated by the government. It's called Early Intervention, and you pediatrician should know where to obtain it.
Reply:As you have indicated that you are "extremely concerned" it would be ideal to seek a referral for your child. While it is ideal to ask questions and seek the advice of others, its most important to seek professional advice.





Your child's doctor has a developmental/medical profile to substantiate any concerns that you have. The advice that many may provide are based on "their personal experience" as it may not be relevant to your child. Its just the same if you were to call a physician's office /emergency room they always tell you to come in as they can not give advice over the phone.





Every states should have an "early intervention" program by which your child can be accessed for any developmental issues. National Early Childhood TA Center...seems to be most informative, serving as a starting point for some services.





Its most important to address any concerns early and if all is fine then you will feel better.





You are most certainly welcome to send me an email if you wish as I would be glad to know how all went~





Best wishes ~
Reply:Relax! Not all babies do crawl. My youngest son never did. He also hated tummy time. He developed his own scooch where he would sit up with one leg Indian Style and one straight out. He would use his hands on the side of him to push his body. He got along this way for a few months before he learned how to walk. He got real fast at his scooching too. She sounds like a strong-willed child like my son. Maybe she just chose not to crawl. If she can pull up then nothing is wrong with her development.
Reply:I was frustrated when my 8 month old was not crawling or holding her bottle on her own thats when I discovered tough love. She hated tummy time so I would never leave her for very long on the floor BIG MISTAKE. The longer I left her there the more frustrated she got, but she actually got so mad she started moving. I am not saying to torture your baby but sometimes they need to get mad to start crawling placing their favorite toy or a bottle in front of them just out of reach may seem cruel but you will see results. Also my husband would position her legs up under her in the crawl position and hold her up by placing one hand under her tummy and boy did she scream. She hated having her knees up under her body but she learned thats what she needed to do to start crawling. We only did this exercise for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day. She was more happy with tummy time once she realized that mommy was not going to pick her up just because she was upset and started to enjoy her toys and push herself up into the crawl position on her own. She still cannot fully crawl but will instead scooch her but backwards, roll, and rock in back in forth in the crawl positon. She is definetly more happy now that she is more mobile As far as holding the bottle goes you just keep placing their hands on the bottle and eventually when you first give them the bottle they will reach for it and hold it on their own. You may need to tilt it up so they actually get all of the milk but do not hold it for them. Also you stated that she could hold a sippy cup when SHE wants to so you know she can do it so sometimes you need to refuse to hold the bottle she needs to learn that mommy isn't going to do everything for her. When she gets hungry enough the bottle will magically find a way into her mouth and hands. I really don't think that there is anything wrong physically with your child I just think she has you wrapped around her finger and knows it.
Reply:my daughter never held her own bottle and didnt fully crawl till after 10 months but shortly after walked, some babies skip crawling, she hated tummy as well but was advnaced on all the other skills like the pincher grasp and such. as long as your dr isnt worried i wouldnt worry either. my daughter also pulled up to a stand before even attempting to crawl, she would scoot on her bottom to the table or couch lol it was quit commicle. If theres nothing wrong with her in the dr's eyes then take advantage of this time now that u dont have to run around after her, that was always torture lol. also dont listen to ppl who will say ohh my child did this earlier then yours or whatever, becuase in the end as long as she walks she is fine and no one ever askes on a job application when u started walking or crawling
Reply:Have you tried speaking to her pediatrician about this? My nephew wasn't crawling either and his doctor had my brother take him to physical therapy. There, they worked on and stretched some muscles inside of his legs and he was crawling in no time. They explained that sometimes the muscles do not develop normally in the womb and they stay "tensed up" after birth. It is easily corrected.


Good luck.
Reply:It is common for some babies to skip the crawling stage and go into the standing and walking stage. If your child is uncomfortable on her belly, start doing games and exercises that promote her to use her legs. Stand her up at a table and let her hold on, and hold her hands and walk her around the house. It takes work and patience to develop a childs skills. Having your child around other children who can crawl/walk will help her learn how to do it. They are great at mimicking what they see from children their age.
Reply:Are you breastfeeding, some babies are slow to hold bottles if they are breastfed from not having a bottle as much. Some babies skip crawling and will walk first. If you are still concerned then talk to your pedatrician about it.
Reply:While it may seem like she is 'behind' the guidelines doctors give for crawling, walking, etc are just that. Guidelines. Some babies crawl early and some late. It may help to stop carrying her at home. Put snacks, toys etc just out of her reach, and let her get them herself. Itll help build her confidence and may facilitate her crawling. With regards to the bottle, she is eleven months old. She no longer needs it. So if she can hold a sippy cup, give her that. Most babies prefer the faster flow to the bottle anyway. Is this your first child? It sounds like she may just need a little less babying, and more incentive to do things on her own. Good luck!
Reply:My son is a little over 9 months and isnt crawling yet either. All the books and my pediatrician all say this is no big deal at all. The range for when kids start crawling is huge, and some kids never crawl, they just get up and start walking instead. The lack of crawling doesnt mean anything bad at all- it does NOT indicate a learning disability or anything like that, it just shows how everyone is different. My son didnt like tummy time either by the way :)
Reply:My gf baby is 9months old %26amp; not rolling over yet, all babies are different. Play with her on the floor alot!! This really does make a difference. Also put her toys just out of reach so she has to "work" for it! Talk to the doctor again, but if he's not real concerned, then don't stress too much. Good Luck
Reply:but other than that she is developing normally? i found this advice on the internet: His doctor says its perfectly fine he is not crawling and that he may just skip it all together. Per the doctor, since the "put the baby on their backs to sleep" became the norm, the crawling stage is skipped by more babies". hope this helps.
Reply:I have a 11 month old too, so I understand you are very concerned about this. But I have heard that there are many babies that dont crawl at all, and go right to walking. My cousins baby was actually one of those babies that done that. So if her pediatrician knows about this and have done test and if she is trying to walk and is taking steps then I would not worry about her. And about the bottle thing. My baby is the same way there is so many times that she dont want to hold her bottle either. When she goes to bed at night there are many times I have to hold it for her or prop it up. I seriously think your baby is fine.
Reply:I am sure your child is perfectly fine. I have four children and never encouraged them to hold their own bottles and they never wanted to. When it came to the sippy cup they held that themselves. When they are at the age of bottle feeding I believe the personal contact of holding them while feeding is very important to their development. I've never believed in putting a baby to bed with a bottle or letting them run around with one as I have seen many do. Neither one is healthy for the child.


One of my children never crawled either, he went right to climbing. Later I did encourage additional crawling with the use of small toys like weebles. Another of my children rolled to get around, rather then crawl. Two of my children did crawl a lot and always had to be watched closely. Each child can be so different but as long as you have covered all the medical reasons that could prevent your child from crawling, I would not worry. You can always encourage additional crawling when your baby is ready.
Reply:Some kids will be late. try to use walker
Reply:i wouldn't worry as i know a lot of kids who did not crawl at all , it happens that a lot of babies skip crawling and go from ur lap to walking when they or 12 month more or less....my 7 month old boy did not even sit unsupported till now but im giving him all the space and time he needs..babies develope differently...


though try to show him..place him on four (crawling position)and support him by placing one hand on his tummy and the other on his back...but don't worry really lots of babies skip to walking..
Reply:See if your state has a birth to three


Get her tested


Also see if your doctor will let you take you child pt


Some Physical therapy may help her





good luck


I started my child in birth to three, Physical therapy, speech when she was two. I should of started her sooner


In some cases, what is wrong, can be fixed with early help
Reply:Crawling is NOT a developmental milestone, many babies do not do it. Some just roll, some army crawl, some bum scoot, and some just learn to walk.





Also you should know in arms time counts as tummy-time. Tummy time was only instituted after moms were told not to "spoil" their babies and stopped carrying them all the time. Most babies, particularly pudgy ones do not like tummy time.





Work with your baby rather than against her. If she likes standing encourage her to do that, with less and less support. Encourage her to squat and stand back up.





If she likes to push against your hands with her feet do that.





Just find ways of encouraging her to become stronger. Remember not all babies get to skills the same way, but they all manage to walk, talk, poop in the potty, and sleep through the night before highschool ;-)





My son never crawled until he could pull himself up, and even then he would only crawl to some place he could stand. Then he learned to walk.
Reply:most babies dont learn to crawl because they are always being picked up and held. they start to fuss when getting laid down and the parents or whoever just pick them back up to stop them crying. and it is outrageous that you arent making her hold her own bottle at 11 mo.s, she should be crawling over to things and pulling herself up and starting to walk with assistance by now.
Reply:every child developes differently. crawling is not consider a milestone and not every child will crawl. my child did not like tummy time either. sit her in the floor to play and if she falls over let her roll around and figure how to sit back and stuff. and if she pulls her self up from the floor she could begin walking first instead of crawling. and for the not holding the cups just give it to her since you know she can hold it and when she gets thirsty enough she will pick it and get a drink.
Reply:you have to help them crawl and show them how to hold the bottle if they want it they wil hold it also get a walker and she should be walking by now or she might be overweight and can't hold her self up but ask the doctor first to make sure she is not