Check him out...he's on all fours!
One of the first questions new parents ask about their newborn is “When is my baby going to crawl?” This is a huge milestone, so it’s understandable why parents ask this question.
Many parents aren’t aware of the various types of early crawling methods. Also there is a bit of confusion what’s actually considered crawling. For example in this video you’ll see our son inchworm crawling for the first time. Should this type of infant crawling actually be considered crawling? What are the other types of early crawling methods?
Let’s take a closer look.
A few days ago Noah started getting into quadruped on his own. It wasn’t a milestone post, but it was a huge one in our book.
Why so big? Well it shows that Noah has the strength to possibly start crawling. As I was researching for this post, I learned an important thing. In the world of physical therapy crawling is actually defined as moving forward with belly on the floor pulling with arms and pushing with legs…who knew. Creeping is defined as moving on hands and knees with stomach up, in quadruped. Thanks again Patricia Winders for teaching me more about development than my entire pediatric residency. 🙂
Noah has been mobile for quite a while. (He even turned his crib into a learning-to-crawl exercise machine.) He gets places by scooting on his back, or his preferred way which is rolling until he hits something. I have found him under couches, across the room, and of course finding the most dangerous things in the room like outlets.
Today he found a way to keep his eye on the prize and move forward. We call it the inchworm. He gets into quadruped, falls forward and is up again. Per Patricia Winders this would be a type of crawling. I am surprised how fast he can do this, it is actually a pretty good way of moving. It also blows my mind how one day Noah is just able to do something. We had no idea this milestone was coming. The video is moments after he did this for the first time, and as you can see, he isn’t just taking one inchworm, he is going across the whole floor. In my opinion it is pretty impressive.
Patricia Winders book, Gross Motors Skills in Children with Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
In the book she states that there are 4 types of early crawling methods which parents need to recognize. Once your child determines their method she wants you to encourage that method as much as possible. The four crawling methods are below, see if any of them describe a method your child seems to be drawn to.
Our physical therapist is ecstatic that Noah is doing this. Since we know he is strong enough to stay in quadruped, I asked her why he prefers to inchworm, as it seems like it would be easier to just stay up. She believes it is the coordination of muscles to alternate sides and maintaining core strength during that transition. Shocker that it all goes back to the core 🙂
Noah is pretty proud of himself. His face lights up when he starts moving and gets to the object he is looking at, which most of the time is either Rick or I. We are super proud of him too. (By the way, we mentioned the Fisher Price Snail in our top ten gift ideas post, if you don’t already have it, you should. It really is one of the best developmental motivators around!)
Did your child do any of the alternative crawling methods mentioned in the list above? Take a second to leave a comment below and tell us about it.
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My son may not have DS, but he is a preemie with heart issues and developmental delay. I learned more from your post about his crawling/creeping than I had learned from many others (which may be because our first physio appointment is this afternoon). Thanks so much for all you share with us!!!
@d4037c5fe9ebecff0d32582406b27f46:disqus Thanks for sharing with us, and for your kind words about our site. How old is your son? We'd love to see a picture of him, feel free to post one here in the comments and on our Facebook page. :)
Where are you guys from?
Our son, Michael (19 months), started with the "Army Crawl" (still his preferred Method), but he also does a mean "Bear Crawl", and a "Tush Scoot"... in the last 2 weeks, he has shown more and more interest in walking, and used a walker in therapy last Friday. The amount concentration and determination was evident on his face. It awesome to see our little one work so hard (and inspire our older ones to work harder). Thanks for your Blog!
Thanks for sharing. You should post a picture of Jace in the comments here! :)
I just love, love, love the look of pride on little Noah's face. You are superb parents, celebrating his new accomplishment in such a way that makes his little face light up with pride. Keep up the good work. Noah is so lucky to have you guys for parents, and I know you guys are lucky to have him.
Thanks. It's so much fun seeing his face light up like a Christmas tree when we finally hits a milestone. :) Do you guys have ay children?
We rolled everywhere!
Oh yah...Noah likes to roll also. I need to go back and post some videos of him rolling (it was before we started this site.) How old are your children now?
that was awesome, loved the proud face at the end :-) Louis is 8 months nearly and was also born with DS. he is starting to put his knees up to his chest and push, not moving his arms yet but trying to push none the less. Its really good following your posts as it is encouraging and give us things to look out for.
Thanks, it's good getting to know your story also. Feel free to post a picture below (and on our Facebook page)...we enjoy meeting families!
Where are you guys from by the way?
We live in the UK,we started OT yesterday and it was a bit of an eye opener how hard they worked my little man. It was good though knowing he will get really good support.
Our son is still doing the backwards slide and the speed roll (17 months with DS ) he also has a standing frame to build his leg strength :) reassuring to know that kids the world over find outlets fun!
You better believe they do. It's like they have some sort of magical power that lets them know right were dangerous things are. Ha,ha!
omg another one that i just cant like cuss i loveeeeeeeeeeeeee it lil inch worm noah way to go lil man u will be walking soon n driving daddy n mommy crazy running to get you on video way to go lil man. that deserves more choc pudding.
Thanks. :) he can't get enough of his new found inch worming ability....and neither can we. :)
Enjoy this time-he sure is! Before you know it he'll be cruising/walking and watch out world! :)
Thanks!
By the way why we don't know who you are since you didn't use your name for your comment. :)
Awesome! Love sharing milestones and helping others celebrate theirs. It's a joyous occasion and like you said, our kids all reach their milestones at different times and in different order - just like all other kids. Way to go Noah on all your milestones!
Indeed they do! How old are your children?
Congrats Noah! How exciting for everyone. How old is Noah?
Thanks! Noah is 10 months old in that video. :)