From scooting to crawling to cruising, babies learn how to get
around during these months. So now is the time to
childproof
your home, if you haven't already. Be especially careful to
gate staircases and block off rooms that you'd rather your
baby didn't explore.
How Is My Baby Moving?
By now your baby is sitting and using his or her hands every so
often for support. Once comfortable in this position, your baby
will learn to turn and reach for objects without falling over. Your
baby will also get better at changing positions, and soon figure
out how to get into a sitting position, then pull up to stand.
When on the stomach, your baby will learn to push up onto the
hands and knees and rock back and forth. This little
"exercise" is working the arm and leg muscles, getting
your child ready to propel forward (or backward) in an attempt to
get moving. Some babies are better at crawling than others so
don't worry if your child has developed some novel ways of
getting around, including rolling, scooting on his or her bottom,
or creeping.
As long as your baby is using the arms and legs on both sides of
the body and shows an interest in exploring surroundings,
there's usually no reason to be concerned.
Leg muscles have gotten stronger from standing, bouncing, and
crawling. Now is the time for your baby to start taking steps while
holding on to the couch, coffee table, or other pieces of furniture
for balance. This is called "cruising." You can encourage
it by holding your baby's hands while your little one
takes a few steps.
Fine motor and hand-eye coordination also continue to improve
during this period, and your baby will develop the ability to pick
up very small things, including cereal, with dexterity. This
coordination can range from an awkward raking grasp to a precise
finger-to-thumb pincer grasp.
Encouraging Movement
Give your baby safe areas to practice moving and many
chances to move - limit the time your baby spends in
strollers, cribs, and other equipment that restricts movement.
Allow for tummy time so your baby is in the right position to
practice crawling. Help your baby get onto his or her hands and
knees, put a favorite toy out of reach, and encourage your baby to
move toward the desired object.
Encourage walking by letting your baby cruise along the
furniture (remove or pad furniture with sharp edges), holding your
baby's hands while he or she practices, or using a sturdy
walking toy or wagon. Walking toys usually have a bar that extends
to about chest height on a baby and is attached to a stable,
weighted base with wheels. The baby holds the bar for support and
pushes the toy for movement. You'll need to supervise this
process, of course, and make sure stairs are inaccessible.
When to Call the Doctor
Call your doctor if your child does not:
- crawl, creep, or scoot around
- stand when supported
- use both sides of his or her body equally
- seem to have good control of his or her hands
Normal child development tends to follow a certain pattern. The
skills that babies develop early serve as building blocks for
future skills. Still, the time it takes to develop these
skills can vary widely among kids. If you're concerned about
your baby's development, speak with your doctor.
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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