Baby’s Mobility Milestones: Scooting, Crawling, and Cruising
As your baby transitions from scooting to crawling and eventually cruising, this is the stage where they learn how to move around independently. If you haven’t already, now is the time to thoroughly childproof your home. Install gates at staircases and block off rooms that aren’t safe for your baby to explore.
How Is My Baby Moving?
Sitting:
By now, your baby is likely sitting up and using their hands occasionally for support. Once they become comfortable in this position, they will start to turn and reach for objects without tipping over. Your baby will also improve at transitioning between positions and will soon learn how to get into a sitting position on their own, followed by pulling up to stand.
Tummy Time:
During tummy time, your baby will practice pushing up onto their hands and knees and may start to rock back and forth. This motion strengthens the arm and leg muscles, preparing your baby for crawling. Some babies may not crawl in the traditional sense but instead develop their own unique methods of getting around, such as rolling, scooting on their bottom, or creeping.
Cruising:
As your baby’s leg muscles strengthen from standing, bouncing, and crawling, they will start «cruising» — taking steps while holding onto furniture like the couch or coffee table for balance.
Fine Motor Skills:
During this time, your baby’s fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination will continue to improve. They’ll begin to pick up small items, transitioning from a raking grasp (using all fingers) to a more precise finger-to-thumb pincer grasp.
How Can I Encourage My Baby?
Provide your baby with safe areas to practice moving and offer plenty of opportunities to explore. Limit the time they spend in strollers, cribs, and other equipment that restricts movement.
To encourage your baby to move, place a favorite toy just out of reach and motivate them to try and get it. Encourage walking by letting your baby cruise along furniture, and ensure that any sharp-edged furniture is removed or padded. You can also hold your baby’s hands to practice walking.
A walking toy with a bar that extends to chest height and is attached to a stable, weighted base with wheels can be helpful for practicing. Your baby can hold the bar for support and push the toy to move. However, always supervise this activity and ensure stairs are securely blocked off.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
Child development typically follows a certain pattern, with early skills laying the foundation for future milestones. However, the timeline for achieving these skills can vary widely among babies.
Contact your doctor if your baby isn’t meeting the following milestones:
- By 9 months:
- Unable to get into a sitting position alone.
- Cannot sit without support.
- Does not pass objects from one hand to the other.
- By 12 months:
- Does not pull up to stand.
- Cannot walk while holding onto furniture.
- Does not pick up small objects between their thumb and pointer finger (pincer grasp).
Not reaching these milestones doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem, but it’s important to discuss any concerns or questions about your baby’s development with your doctor.