Crawling is a major milestone for babies, one that parents understandably look forward to for months. With the ability to crawl comes the prospect of more exploration and play, so finally seeing your little one crack the code to movement, and shuffle from one side of the living room to the other, will be a hugely memorable moment that we can't wait for you to witness!

But when exactly can you expect your baby to achieve this major milestone?

When do babies learn to crawl?

Generally speaking, babies will learn to crawl somewhere between the ages of 6 and 9 months, though they may not do so confidently until the age of 12 months.

That being said, every baby is unique, with some developing sooner and others a little while later. And how they crawl will also prove unique. Some babies shuffle from A to B on their bottom, others on their feet and hands (looking a bit like a crab). They may crawl on their bellies or on their hands and knees. The point is, how they crawl isn’t all that important, it’s learning to move about that matters.

But how will you know that your baby is on the right track? Well, let’s find out by taking a look at the crawling milestones.

What are the milestones that lead to crawling?

Your baby will love to spend some time each day lying on their tummy, eventually learning to lift their head up and, by the time they’re 6 or 7 months old, even push up into a sphinx position. They might not be able to maintain this position for very long, but they’ll enjoy the new vantage point it offers them. Before long, they may even begin pulling themselves along on their belly, performing a commando crawl, and strengthening their arms and legs.

Between 8 to 10 months, they’ll figure out that, from a hands-and-knees position, they can push off with their knees and eventually get a good crawling rhythm going. However, it might take until their first birthday before they are truly a confident crawler. Remember that not all babies crawl using the same technique, but if they’re managing to get from one place to another, this justifies celebration!

How can I encourage my baby to crawl?

To encourage crawling, make sure your baby spends a little time on their belly every day, beginning with just one minute but gradually extending the time period. Tummy time is fantastic for strengthening your baby’s back, neck and head muscles, but keep a close eye on your little one whilst they’re in this position, making sure they’re always comfortable.

You can begin tummy time from a fairly young age, but for the sake of comfort, it might be best to first have them lie face downwards on your chest or arm. Once they’re 3 to 4 months old, you can spend more tummy time on a comfortable rug or mat, spread out on the floor. From there, encourage your tiny tot to push up on their hands and arms, into a sphinx position. And once they've mastered this, place exciting toys just out of reach, motivating them to push and pull themselves towards the fun, colourful objects.

You can also organise plenty of playdates so your baby can witness their peers crawling and even try to imitate them.

Once they’re crawling back and forth, let your baby explore their surroundings. You could even build tiny obstacle courses full of blankets and pillows, helping to build their confidence and agility. Their crawling will also improve if you let them come to you, encouraging their efforts with plenty of verbal praise and smiles, and then lots of hugs and kisses once they make it.

When should my baby crawl?

On our Baby Development Journey, we look at when your baby should crawl.