At what age should I start encouraging my baby to crawl?

You can start encouraging crawling-related skills from birth through tummy time. Focused crawling encouragement is most effective once your baby can sit independently and push up on straight arms during tummy time, typically around 6 to 7 months.

Can too much time in a bouncer delay crawling?

Excessive time in any container — bouncer, swing, exersaucer, or stroller — can limit the floor time babies need to develop crawling skills. The WHO recommends limiting seated or restrained time to no more than one hour at a stretch for babies.

Is it okay if my baby doesn't crawl and goes straight to walking?

Yes. The AAP considers skipping crawling to be a normal developmental variation. As long as your baby is gaining mobility and meeting other milestones, going directly from sitting to walking is not a concern.

What is the best floor surface for learning to crawl?

A firm, cushioned, non-slip surface is ideal. Memory foam play mats provide traction for pushing off, padding for falls, and a stable base that doesn't shift or bunch under a baby's weight.

Should I be worried if my 9-month-old isn't crawling yet?

Not necessarily. Many healthy babies don't crawl until 10 months or later. The normal range extends to 12 months and beyond. Focus on whether your baby is making progress — rocking, scooting, pivoting — rather than hitting an exact date.

How to Encourage Your Baby to Crawl: 10 Proven Tips From Parents and Therapists

August 3, 2025|Poco Koko Team

When our first baby hit eight months without showing any interest in crawling, I started quietly panicking. Every other baby in our playgroup seemed to be scooting around while ours sat happily in place. Our pediatrician's advice was simple: "More floor time, less container time, and be patient." Within three weeks of changing our routine, our son was army crawling across the living room. If you're looking for ways to encourage your baby to crawl, the good news is that it's mostly about creating the right conditions and giving your baby opportunity and motivation to move.

Quick Answer

The most effective ways to encourage crawling are: increase supervised floor time to 60+ minutes daily, place motivating toys just out of reach, get on the floor with your baby, ensure a safe and supportive surface, minimize time in containers, and let your baby practice at their own pace without forcing positions.

Crawling Readiness Checklist

Before you start encouraging crawling, make sure your baby has the foundational skills in place. This table helps you gauge where your baby is.

Prerequisite Skill	What It Looks Like	Typically Develops
Head control	Holds head steady in any position	3–4 months
Chest lifting	Pushes up on arms during tummy time	4–5 months
Sitting independently	Sits without support for 30+ seconds	5–7 months
Rolling both directions	Rolls front to back and back to front	4–6 months
Reaching while supported	Extends arm to grab objects while seated	6–7 months
Weight bearing on arms	Supports upper body weight on hands	5–7 months

If your baby has most of these skills, they're physically ready — they may just need a nudge. If several are missing, focus on building those first through tummy time and supported play.

10 Practical Ways to Encourage Crawling

1. Maximize Floor Time

The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasizes that babies need ample time on the floor to develop motor skills. Aim for at least 60 minutes of supervised floor time daily, broken into shorter sessions. Every minute on the floor is an opportunity to practice.

2. Reduce Container Time

Swings, bouncers, exersaucers, and car seats (when not in a car) all limit your baby's ability to practice movement. The WHO recommends that babies not be restrained in a stroller or seat for more than one hour at a time. Containers have their place, but they shouldn't be the default.

3. Get Down on the Floor With Your Baby

Babies are highly motivated by faces — especially yours. Lie on the floor a few feet away, make eye contact, and encourage your baby to come to you. This is more effective than any toy. I spent many evenings lying on our play mat making silly faces, and it worked better than every fancy developmental toy we'd bought.

4. Use Strategic Toy Placement

Place a favorite toy just barely out of reach — close enough that your baby can almost get it, but far enough that they need to move. Gradually increase the distance as they gain confidence. The goal is motivation, not frustration.

5. Create a Crawling-Friendly Surface

A too-slippery floor makes it hard to gain traction. A too-soft surface makes it exhausting to push off. The ideal crawling surface is firm but cushioned, with enough texture for grip. A non-slip memory foam play mat provides this combination — stable footing with cushion for wobbles and falls.

Parent encouraging baby to crawl toward toy on cushioned non-slip play mat

6. Try the Towel Lift Technique

Roll a bath towel into a cylinder and place it under your baby's chest and belly during tummy time. This lifts their torso slightly and helps them feel what it's like to be on hands and knees. Hold the towel gently and let them practice bearing weight on all fours. Many pediatric physical therapists recommend this exercise.

7. Let Them Watch Other Babies

Babies learn by observation. If you have access to a playgroup or know families with mobile babies, let your little one watch. Seeing a peer crawling across the room can be surprisingly motivating. Our son finally "got it" after watching his cousin crawl during a family visit.

8. Practice Hands-and-Knees Position

Gently help your baby into a hands-and-knees position on a comfortable surface. Support their belly with your hand and let them feel the position. Don't force it — just a few seconds at a time.

9. Create a Mini Obstacle Course

Once your baby is moving, add gentle obstacles — a rolled blanket to crawl over, a pillow to navigate around. These challenges build strength and coordination. Keep obstacles small and soft.

10. Celebrate Every Attempt

Clap, cheer, smile. Positive reinforcement matters at this age. Every attempt is progress, even if it doesn't look like crawling yet.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

Crawling is not a required milestone — the AAP acknowledges that some babies skip it entirely and proceed to walking. However, forward mobility in some form is expected by about 12 months. Consult your pediatrician if:

Your baby shows no desire to move toward objects or people by 9–10 months
They cannot support weight on their arms during tummy time by 6 months
They appear to have significantly different strength or coordination on one side of the body
They were making progress and then regressed, losing skills they previously had
You have a gut feeling that something isn't right — parental intuition is valid and should be discussed

Early intervention programs are available in every U.S. state. If your baby qualifies, services like physical therapy are typically provided at no cost to families.

Baby crawling over soft obstacles on play mat to encourage motor development

Creating the Right Environment

Clear a dedicated area. A 6x4 foot space is enough for early crawling practice.
Lay down a supportive surface. Our crawling mats are designed with the right firmness for pushing off and enough cushion for fall protection.
Rotate toys. Fresh objects in the crawling zone provide new motivation to move.
Keep it safe. Cover outlets, remove small objects, and pad sharp furniture edges.

Find the right mat for your baby's crawling stage in our play mat collection, or explore tummy time mats if your baby is still building toward crawling readiness. For a full stage-by-stage guide, visit our Ultimate Baby Play Mat Guide.