Parenting Advice (Yikes!)

jennajava

Let's not turn this into a bash-everyone-who-doesn't-think-like-me thread like other parenting threads.

First time mom here.

I have an 8 1/2 month old daughter. She isn't crawling yet. She is, however, trying to "scoot" backwards. The problem we run into with crawling is that we have hardwood floors, and every time she attempts to crawl, she can't get any traction. My only carpeted areas are under tables, etc.

Is there anything I can do to make this easier on her?

Or, do any of you have kids who didn't crawl, and just walked? She is attempting to stand, and will take a few steps when I hold her hands.

Also, is there anything I should be worried about?

ETA: It's almost like she just isn't interested in it. Haha She is very intelligent, can say several words, loves to sit and look at books, etc. but moving just isn't a priority to her. How can I encourage her to get moving?

Sh1tsRainbows

it could be the hard wood floors that are a problem..but ive heard of kids skipping crawling altogether..i dont think 8 1/2 months is really late to crawl... have you asked her Dr????

mommymeg2

You have NOTHING to worry about! My youngest (he turns 2 next week) crawled for about 3 days then took off walking around 10 months. You'll hear it 100 times over (and it's actually true)....every baby is different. My almost 4 year old was talking in 3 word sentences by 16 months. My almost two year doesn't say two word sentences and after having him evaluated he is perfectly fine, can say the letters but is pretty much lazy and lets his older brother talk for him. She'll be there in no time and you'll be wishing she wasn't as mobile again

Indy_Mario

Let's not turn this into a bash-everyone-who-doesn't-think-like-me thread like other parenting threads.

First time mom here.

I have an 8 1/2 month old daughter. She isn't crawling yet. She is, however, trying to "scoot" backwards. The problem we run into with crawling is that we have hardwood floors, and every time she attempts to crawl, she can't get any traction. My only carpeted areas are under tables, etc.

Is there anything I can do to make this easier on her?

Or, do any of you have kids who didn't crawl, and just walked? She is attempting to stand, and will take a few steps when I hold her hands.

Also, is there anything I should be worried about?

I walked before I crawled. If you want to help her learn to crawl a little easier, how about you put a rug or yoga mat down and see how she does with the added traction?!

jennajava

it could be the hard wood floors that are a problem..but ive heard of kids skipping crawling altogether..i dont think 8 1/2 months is really late to crawl... have you asked her Dr????

I never crawled, and walked early. Just wondering if it was the norm. Her doctor says she's fine.

rml_16

I think this is a question for the pediatrician.

BrettPGH

Don't worry too much. Your child will learn to walk, I promise. It's not a race.

Plus why rush it? You know my favorite thing about when my daughter was that young? When I put her somewhere she stayed there. That's a gift you should be cherishing!

jennajava

I think this is a question for the pediatrician.

He just tells me, "She's fine, and she'll do it when she's ready."

rml_16

I think this is a question for the pediatrician.

He just tells me, "She's fine, and she'll do it when she's ready."

Do you not believe him?

Sh1tsRainbows

Let's not turn this into a bash-everyone-who-doesn't-think-like-me thread like other parenting threads.

LOL read it wrong..dont THINK like you..dont LIKE you... WHATEVEA

jwaitman

Could be she just isn't getting traction on the hard wood, perhaps put down some area rugs and see if that helps. They are fun when the are mobile, but the longer you can keep them from moving the easier your life will be! lol

Mine both started moving early and they definitely kept me busy. Good luck!

jennajava

I think this is a question for the pediatrician.

He just tells me, "She's fine, and she'll do it when she's ready."

Do you not believe him?

Nah, I tend not to trust people with degrees. They usually don't know what they're talking about.

Of course I do. I just want to make sure I'm doing everything I can to be an excellent parent and encourage her to develop.

dirtbikegirl5

My kids crawled and walked early. Some of friends' kids did not crawl or walk until later and some kids never crawled. They just walked. All children are different and do things at their own pace. In fact, I have twins - one of them crawled first, one of them walked first, one of them talked first, etc.
And, I doubt your hardwood floors are going to keep your baby from doing anything. She will get up and move when she is ready.

jwaitman

Don't worry too much. Your child will learn to walk, I promise. It's not a race.

Plus why rush it? You know my favorite thing about when my daughter was that young? When I put her somewhere she stayed there. That's a gift you should be cherishing!

Definitely agree with this! My daughter crawled at 5 months and my son walked at 7 months.

pupcamper

Relax! Kids progress at different rates whether you stress about it or not! This is a learning curve for her let her explorer, enjoy it and progress at her own pace - she'll crawl and lots of other things when she is ready. Doctors check milestones at appoinments and I am sure he would tell you she is doing just fine!

Laurayinz

Do you have grippy socks for her? I think I've seen pants that have little knee grippies on them, or even little knee pads you can put on top of pants, if she can't go bare-legged. Or could you put down an area rug for her to practice on?

All kids are different. My daughter was walking at 9 months, never really crawled much. My son crawled a LOT and didn't walk until 13 months. If she can roll and scoot and get around otherwise, there's nothing to worry about.

grapenutSF

I think this is a question for the pediatrician.

He just tells me, "She's fine, and she'll do it when she's ready."

I agree with your doctor.

dlaplume2

I have five kids, Don't worry. Some kids never crawl, they only scoot. He/She, you didn't say and I can't tell by the picture is smart. Found his/her own way of getting around. That is what they are suppose to do. The only way to see if he/she would crawl if it weren't for the floors is to either put not slip knee pads on or let him crawl around in just a diaper. If it were summer I would do the latter, but being that it's winter I would let him scoot about and by his bday he will be walking anyway.


I agree with your pediatrician She will be just fine. (saw the she afterward.)

Congrats and enjoy her while she is little. The time goes by so fast. My oldest is 17 now.

jennajava

Thank you! I just want to make sure I'm being the best parent I can be for her. I don't want to be a lazy parent and skip out on something I could be doing to encourage her development.

rml_16

One of Frank Zappa's kids (don't remember which) never crawled. He turned over on his back, put his head on the floor and pushed his pelvis up, then used his feet to scoot around like that.

He's as normal now as he can be, considering he was raised by Frank Zappa ...

justle

my very best friend has a daughter the same age as my eldest, he crawled at 4 months, she never did.

she went from bum shuffling to "cruising" i.e walking around on the furniture around a year old then walked.

my youngest didnt crawl till he was 8 months, then he walked around 16 months.


i doubt its your floors causing the problem but you can buy/make knee pads (good for keeping clothing its best too) if you want.

BUT when you have your first you do tend to expect them to do things earlier, it seems like everyone elses kid is racing ahead OR it seems like your sitting around waiting for the next milestone.

she might not crawl at all, if she's getting around quick enough with what she's doing right now she'll see no reason to change.

one day you'll probably find that she'll just get up on a sofa and find out cruising is best.

dont fret about it, she'll do it all in her own time, just sit back and enjoy it all before its all gone *sob*

jennajava

One of Frank Zappa's kids (don't remember which) never crawled. He turned over on his back, put his head on the floor and pushed his pelvis up, then used his feet to scoot around like that.

He's as normal now as he can be, considering he was raised by Frank Zappa ...

:laugh:

Laurayinz

Check these out: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=537825&cm_ven=RKG_GoogleBase&cm_cat=OSA_Non-Brand&cm_pla=GoogleBase&cm_ite=GoogleBase&orderType=2&utm_source=RKG_GoogleProducts&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=product&utm_term=GoogleBase

OK how the heck do I make that a clickable link??

AllanMisner

When a child wants something, they figure out a way to get it done. So don't sweat it now. She'll be up and running around before you know it. In the meantime, don't feel compelled to give in when you know she isn't trying to address her own issues (e.g., she wants to be closer to you and cries rather than trying to crawl over).

PepeGreggerton

She's fine, my daughter did it very early and walked fairly early too. My son took a little longer and hardly crawled basically started running one day and hasn't slowed down since.

lovemydrmartens

my son never crawled... he found that rolling got him where he wanted to go alot quicker! and was on his feet just after his first birthday so It didin't hold him back any... all children are different, I wouldn't worry...

ansonrinesmith

It sounds like there is interest in things, not in crawling, so why not combine the two.
Put the baby down in the middle of an area and spread things out around but not within reach. The interest in the "things" should lead to crawling to get to them.

MB_Positif

http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=537825&cmSource=Search

Baby Knee Pads! I don't know if they actually help or not though! We have all hardwood floors and we put down one of those Rubbery type mats with the interlocking pieces...also from One Step Ahead. That helped my son get some traction, but he hardly crawled either, started walking at 10 months! Don't sweat it!

YMTaylor

Just to concur with the others, I think it's fine. Just another example of how all kids are different. My oldest son was cruising furniture at 10-11 months but wasn't crawling, same thing he just didn't seem interested. Anyway we thought he's just start walking and skip crawling but he actually dropped down to crawl at one year and didn't walk independently until 17 months.

It might be a traction thing with the hardwood floors but I think eventually when they're ready they can do it, even with the hardwood. I think you and she are doing great!

vim_n_vigor

For some kids, the doctors will make them go back and learn to crawl if they skip it, so they can develop the proper motor skills. We had hardwood floors for my oldest. At home, he didn't wear socks or shoes, and we bought a cheap area rug for him to play on. Good luck! All kids have their own rate of development. My oldest and youngest both met their milestones at different times and in different order. You should be having a 9 month check up soon. Talk about your concerns with your pediatrician. They can keep you in line with what the expected time frame is to hit milestones.

seehawkmomma

Let's not turn this into a bash-everyone-who-doesn't-think-like-me thread like other parenting threads.

First time mom here.

I have an 8 1/2 month old daughter. She isn't crawling yet. She is, however, trying to "scoot" backwards. The problem we run into with crawling is that we have hardwood floors, and every time she attempts to crawl, she can't get any traction. My only carpeted areas are under tables, etc.

Is there anything I can do to make this easier on her?

Or, do any of you have kids who didn't crawl, and just walked? She is attempting to stand, and will take a few steps when I hold her hands.

Also, is there anything I should be worried about?

ETA: It's almost like she just isn't interested in it. Haha She is very intelligent, can say several words, loves to sit and look at books, etc. but moving just isn't a priority to her. How can I encourage her to get moving?

Get on your hands and knees momma and show her how its done. She may want to skip the crawling part (however research shows crawling is very important for a child and the longer they do it the smarter they can get--something about it helps them use both sides of their brain--)

If you want to make it easier on her get a big rug and block it off so she has a very kid friendly area. Get down on the floor with her and crawl around. She might just mimick you )