As a parent, it’s natural to get worried when you see other babies your child’s age starting to crawl, while your little one is still sitting sweetly.
Especially when it’s 10 months old, it makes you feel even more anxious and wonder, “Is it normal? How come he’s not crawling yet?”
Don’t worry, not all babies develop at the same rate.
But, it’s also important to know what causes babies not to crawl at 10 months and when to start being vigilant.
In this article, we’ll discuss 5 possible causes, plus simple solutions you can try at home.
Let’s discuss them one by one.
Should babies crawl at 10 months old?
In general, babies start crawling at the age range of 6 to 10 months. But, that doesn’t mean all babies have to crawl at that age.
In fact, there are also babies who immediately stand up or learn to walk without going through the crawling phase at all.
And that may still be within the bounds of normal development.
Still, if your baby is not crawling by the age of 10 months, parents should be more sensitive. Especially if accompanied by other signs, such as muscles that feel stiff or limp, less active movement, or not interested in reaching for toys.
There could be a delay in his motor development that needs more attention.
So, while not all babies should crawl, it’s important to monitor their overall development.
If something feels off, don’t hesitate to consult a pediatrician or health professional!
5 Causes of Babies Not Crawling
a. Less Tummy Time
One of the most common reasons why babies are not crawling at 10 months is a lack of tummy time.
This activity is very important because it helps strengthen the neck, arms, abdomen, and back muscles-all the muscles that babies need to be able to crawl smoothly.
If babies rarely lie on their stomachs, their upper body muscles may be under-trained. As a result, it takes longer for them to be ready to lift their bodies, bear weight, and eventually crawl.
The solution? Try to start practicing tummy time every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You can start from the time your baby is born, then increase the duration over time.
To make it more fun, accompany your baby with a colorful toy or join them on their tummy – guaranteed they’ll be more excited!
b. Overweight
Babies who are above average weight often need extra effort to crawl. This is because their heavier bodies can make it difficult for them to lift their bodies or balance themselves when trying to move.
Their muscles have to work harder to support the body, and that can make babies get tired quickly or even lazy to move.
It’s no wonder that overweight babies tend to be slower to reach motor development milestones, including crawling.
But don’t worry, that doesn’t mean it can’t be stimulated.
You can help by providing light and routine stimulation, such as tummy time or playing on the floor. Also, make sure that his food intake is balanced according to the doctor’s recommendations, so that his growth remains optimal without overdoing it.
c. Carrying or Sitting in the Stroller Too Often
One of the habits that parents often do is to carry or let the baby sit in the stroller too often.
Although practical, this can reduce the opportunity for babies to move actively on the floor, which is actually very important for training their gross motor muscles.
Babies who are rarely given the opportunity to move freely on the floor may be slower to develop their physical abilities, including crawling.
Neck, back and leg muscle exercises done during tummy time or while playing on the floor are essential to support their gross motor skills.
For this reason, try to give enough time for the baby to move freely, even if it is only for a short time.
Let them explore the floor, reach for toys, or just roll around. This is a natural way to train their body to be more ready to move and crawl.
d. Lack of Stimulation
Infants need sufficient stimulation from their surrounding environment to support their motor development.
Without adequate stimulation, such as toys, interaction with parents, or opportunities to explore the environment, a baby’s ability to crawl can be hampered.
Age-appropriate toys, for example, can motivate babies to reach, grasp and move their bodies.
In addition, the presence of parents who actively interact and model movements can accelerate the motor development process. An environment that supports exploration, such as a safe and large enough space to move around, is also very important in triggering curiosity and the urge to move.
By providing the right stimulation, babies will be more motivated to move their bodies and develop the gross motor skills required for crawling.
e. Genetic or Specific Health Factors
In addition to environmental factors and stimulation, genetic factors or certain health conditions can also affect a baby’s motor development, including the ability to crawl.
Some neurological or genetic conditions, such as cerebral palsy or other developmental delays, may cause delays in reaching developmental milestones such as crawling.
These conditions can affect the baby’s ability to control his body movements properly, which in turn slows down his ability to crawl or move his body in other ways.
If parents suspect any underlying health or developmental issues, it is important to consult a doctor or specialist immediately for further evaluation.
With early detection and appropriate intervention, most of these health issues can be managed to support optimal infant development.
Solutions & Stimulation that can be done at Home
To support baby’s motor development to crawl faster, there are several stimulations that can be done regularly at home.
One of them is to do tummy time every day.
This activity not only strengthens the baby’s neck and back muscles, but also prepares his body to move more actively.
Also, invite your baby to play on the floor with interesting toys.
Age-appropriate toys can stimulate babies to move, reach and explore their environment.
Avoid letting your baby sit in a bouncer or stroller for too long, as these positions limit their movement space and reduce opportunities for gross motor exercises.
As long as the baby is trying to move, give praise and motivation.
This emotional support is important so that the baby feels valued and more motivated to keep trying.
However, if the baby has passed the age of 11-12 months and has not shown signs of crawling or sitting up on their own, you should immediately consult a doctor for further evaluation.
A medical examination can help confirm if there are any health factors affecting his motor development.
Support your little one’s crawling with Pampers MIUBaby Thin Leakproof
Supporting your little one in every step of their development, including when learning to crawl, certainly requires the right comfort.
Pampers MIUBaby Thin Leakproof is designed to provide optimal protection with a thin design that keeps your little one dry and comfortable without interfering with their movements.
With a leak-proof coating, your little ones can freely move and explore without worry.
Choose Pampers MIUBaby to accompany every precious moment of your little one, from tummy time to crawling.
With maximum protection and all-day comfort, you can focus on supporting their growth and development without distractions.
