My baby sits but hasn't started crawling — how can I help?

The journey from sitting tall to crawling is a wonderful adventure — and many happy, healthy babies take their own scenic route to get there.

In short

Crawling usually emerges somewhere between 7 and 10 months, but there is a wide, normal range — and some babies skip classic crawling altogether and go straight to bottom-shuffling, rolling, cruising or walking. If your baby sits well and is reaching, rolling and trying to move towards toys, you have lots you can do at home to encourage the next step. Arrange a gentle developmental check if your baby is not weight-bearing on the legs, not reaching for toys, very stiff or very floppy, or showing little interest in moving by around 9–10 months, or if you ever feel one side of the body is used much more than the other.

How you can help the move to crawling

Crawling grows from strength, curiosity and lots of floor time. Try these every day:

• Tummy time, generously — short, frequent spells on the tummy build the shoulder, arm and back strength crawling needs. Make it fun with a mirror, your face, or a favourite toy.
• Tempt, don't rush — place a beloved toy just out of reach so your baby has a reason to lean, pivot and push forward.
• Get onto the floor with them — crawl yourself, cheer the smallest wriggle, and let your baby see movement is joyful and rewarding.
• Hands-and-knees practice — gently support your baby in a four-point position over your leg or a rolled towel so they feel the posture and rock into it.
• Free, safe space — barefoot time on a firm, clear floor beats long spells in walkers, bouncers or seats, which limit the practice babies need.

Remember: bottom-shuffling and rolling-to-travel are perfectly valid ways to get around. What matters most is that your baby is trying to move and growing steadily in strength.

When to arrange a check

Trust your instinct and book a developmental review if, around 9–10 months, your baby is not bearing weight through the legs when held, not reaching for or transferring toys, seems unusually stiff or floppy, strongly favours one hand or side, or shows little drive to explore. This is not about labels — it simply lets a clinician confirm all is well or offer early, playful support, which works best the sooner it begins.

The Pinnacle way

This is general guidance, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care. Our physiotherapy and motor team helps babies build the strength and confidence for crawling and beyond through play, and you can always start here to find your nearest centre across our 70+ locations.

Trusted sources

CDC developmental milestones and "Learn the Signs, Act Early" guidance on movement at 9 months (cdc.gov); American Academy of Pediatrics parent guidance on crawling, tummy time and motor development (healthychildren.org); WHO gross-motor milestone framework (who.int).

Next step — Keep the floor time joyful and the toys tempting. If you'd like reassurance or a closer look, book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.