Commando Crawling in Babies: The Top 3 Benefits For Your Baby

Commando crawling is a type of crawling that babies use to move around before they learn to crawl on their hands and knees. It is also known as belly crawling, army crawl or military crawling. Babies who commando crawl lie on their stomachs and use their arms and legs to propel themselves forward.

Many babies begin to commando crawl between six and ten months of age. This type of crawling is an important milestone in a baby’s development, as it helps them build strength in their upper body and develop their gross motor skills.

Commando crawling also allows babies to explore their environment and reach for objects that are out of their reach.

While commando crawling is a common and natural part of a baby’s development, some parents may worry if their baby does not start crawling in this way.

It is important to remember that all babies develop at their own pace, and some may skip commando crawling altogether and move straight to crawling on their hands and knees. However, if you have concerns about your baby’s development, it is always best to speak with your pediatrician.

What is Commando Crawling?

Commando crawling is a type of crawling that babies use to move around before they learn to crawl on all fours. It is also known as belly crawling a crab crawl, or military crawling. During this type of crawling, the baby lies on their stomach and uses their arms to pull themselves forward while their legs drag behind them.

Commando crawling is a natural developmental milestone for babies and usually occurs between the ages of six and ten months. It is an essential part of a baby’s physical development as it helps to strengthen their upper body muscles and improve their coordination and balance.

While commando crawling is a normal part of a baby’s development, some parents may become concerned if their child is not crawling in this way. It is important to remember that all babies develop at their own pace, and some may skip commando crawling altogether and move straight to crawling on all fours or even walking.

Why is Commando Crawling Important?

Commando crawling is an important developmental milestone for babies. Here are some reasons why:

• Strengthens Muscles: Commando crawling helps in strengthening the baby’s upper body muscles. It requires the baby to use their arms to pull their body forward, which helps develop the muscles in their shoulders, arms, and chest.

• Improves Coordination: Crawling helps improve the baby’s hand-eye coordination as they learn to navigate their environment. Commando crawling also helps improve their gross motor skills as they learn to move their entire body in a coordinated manner.

• Enhances Brain Development: Crawling helps enhance the baby’s brain development by promoting the growth of neural connections. As the baby crawls, they are using both sides of their brain, which helps in the development of the corpus callosum, the part of the brain that connects the two hemispheres.

It is important to note that every baby develops at their own pace, and some babies may skip commando crawling altogether. However, if your baby is not showing any signs of crawling by the time they are 9 to 10 months old, it is recommended to consult a pediatrician to rule out any developmental delays.

How to Encourage Commando Crawling

Tummy Time

One of the best ways to encourage commando crawling is to provide your baby with plenty of tummy time. This will help your baby develop the muscles they need to crawl.

Start by placing your baby on their tummy for a few minutes at a time, gradually increasing the amount of time as they become more comfortable. You can also place a toy in front of your baby to encourage them to reach for it.

Creating a Safe Environment

It’s important to create a safe environment for your baby to crawl in. Remove any hazards or obstacles that could cause your baby to trip or fall. Make sure that there are no sharp edges or corners that your crawling baby could bump into. You can also use baby gates to block off certain areas of your home.

Engaging Your Baby

Engaging with your baby can encourage them to crawl. Get down on the floor with your baby and make eye contact. Talk to your baby and encourage them to come towards you. You can also crawl around with your baby to show them how it’s done.

Using Toys and Objects

Using toys and objects can also encourage your baby to crawl. Place toys just out of reach to both encourage crawling and your baby to move towards them. You can also place toys on a low table or surface to encourage your baby to pull themselves up and crawl towards them.

Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. Don’t worry if your baby doesn’t start commando crawling right away. With a little encouragement and patience, your baby will be crawling in no time!

FAQS on Crawling Styles When Babies Start Crawling

Can babies go from commando crawling to walking?

Yes, some babies may transition from commando crawling directly to walking. However, most babies will progress from commando crawling to traditional crawling on hands and knees before they start walking. Each baby learns and develops at their own pace, and there is no set path that every baby must follow.

How long will my baby commando crawl for?

The duration of commando crawling varies for each baby. Some babies may commando crawl for just a few weeks before transitioning to traditional crawling or walking, while others may commando crawl for a few months. It’s important to remember that every baby is unique, and there is no specific timeline for reaching these developmental milestones.

How do I stop commando crawling?

There is no need to stop commando crawling, as it is a natural developmental stage for some babies.

If you want to encourage your baby to transition to traditional crawling, you can help by providing opportunities for tummy time, placing toys or objects slightly out of reach to encourage movement, and offering gentle guidance when your baby is in a crawling position.

What is the difference between commando crawl and creep?

Commando crawling, also known as the belly crawl or crawling, involves a baby moving forward by pulling themselves along the ground with their arms while their belly remains in contact with the floor. Creeping, on the other hand, refers to traditional crawling, where a baby moves on their hands and knees with their torso raised off the ground.

What is the 4 point position for crawling?

The 4 point position for crawling refers to the position where a baby is supported on their hands and knees, with their weight distributed evenly between all four points of contact. This position is crucial for developing the strength, balance, and coordination needed for traditional crawling.

How do babies get into crawling position?

Babies typically start getting into the crawling position when they are around 6 to 10 months old. The process usually begins with the baby learning to roll over from their back to their tummy.

As they gain strength in their neck, arms, and core muscles through tummy time, they will gradually learn to push up onto their hands and knees. Eventually, they’ll rock back and forth in this position and begin to figure out how to coordinate their arms and legs to propel themselves forward.

It’s essential to give your baby plenty of supervised tummy time and opportunities to explore their environment, as this will help them develop the necessary strength and coordination for crawling.

You can also encourage your baby by placing toys or objects just out of reach, motivating them to move and reach for the items. Remember, each baby develops at their own pace, so it’s crucial to be patient and supportive during this process.

How many crawling positions are there?

There are several different crawling styles and positions that babies may adopt as they learn to move independently. Some common crawling styles include:

1. Classic crawling: The baby moves on hands and knees, alternating arm and leg movements.

2. Commando crawling: The baby lies on their belly and uses their arms to pull themselves forward, with their legs dragging behind.

3. Bear crawling: The baby moves on hands and feet, keeping their arms and legs straight and bottom up in the air.

4. Crab crawling: The baby moves with one knee bent and the other leg extended, using their arms and legs to move sideways.

5. Rolling: Some babies skip crawling altogether and roll to get from one place to another.
6. Backwards crawling: This is very common in the early stages; typical crawling in reverse!

Is crawling at 7 months advanced?

Crawling at 7 months is not necessarily considered advanced, as the typical age range for babies to start crawling is between 6 and 10 months. However, some babies may begin crawling earlier or later than this range, depending on their individual development.

At what age is crawling considered delayed?

Crawling is generally considered delayed if a baby hasn’t started rolling crawl by 12 months of age. However, it’s important to note that not all babies crawl, and some may move directly to standing, cruising, or walking. If you’re concerned about your baby’s motor development, consult their pediatrician for guidance.

What is the average age babies crawl?

The average age for babies to start crawling is around 9 months, but this can vary significantly from one baby to another. Some babies may begin crawling as early as 6 months, while others may not crawl until they are closer to 12 months old.

Does it count if my child starts with a bear crawl?

Crawling is crawling! Don’t worry too much about achieving the classic crawl, as many babies skip this altogether. This wouldn’t be typical but a bear crawl is actually one of the more difficult crawls, you might see this if your child skipped crawling and was standing or even walking first.

Babies learn on their very own schedules, but do chat to your healthcare provider if concerned.

Why was crawling removed as a milestone?

Crawling was removed as a milestone by some pediatric organizations because it is not a necessary skill for all babies to develop.

Some babies may skip the crawling stage altogether and move directly to standing, cruising, or walking. As long as a baby is demonstrating appropriate motor skills development, such as rolling, sitting, and standing, there is no cause for concern if they do not crawl.

Similarly, some parents worry about “abnormal crawling“. In itself, atypical crawling isn’t a concern but if there are other areas of concern it’s certainly worth a chat with your paediatrician.