Learning to crawl is a very special milestone in your baby's development. Crawling is the first real opportunity for your baby to move around on their own and to become more independent. Most babies start crawling between six and ten months old. If your baby doesn't make any moves to crawl at first, don't worry. Every baby completes their developmental steps at their own pace.
The main challenge when crawling is for your baby to keep their balance on their hands and knees. Your baby needs strong neck and back muscles as well as muscle strength in the arms and legs. When so-called cross-crawling (the arm on one side moves parallel to the leg on the other side of the body), the left and right parts of your baby's brain connect. This is an incredible achievement. However, there are babies who skip classic crawling and go straight from crawling or sliding to walking.
Becoming mobile
Becoming Becoming mobile begins with turning, continues with rolling and at some point your baby will then start to crawl. Crawling is the the next step. Of course, not all babies do this, some don't crawl at all and simply skip this stage. This is also completely normal and nothing to worry about.
When a baby makes their first attempts to crawl, they may initially turn around on their own and lie on their stomach. Many babies get a taste for it as soon as they can sit up unaided at around six to seven months. After that, your baby will learn to support themselves on their hands and knees and also to lift their chest and head. At this point, your baby's muscles are strong enough to crawl. From the four-footed position, your baby now practices pushing off with their knees and moving forwards or backwards. As soon as your baby has mastered cross-crawling, nothing stands in their way of a first crawling tour. When your little one's first birthday approaches, they will have perfected their crawling skills and be able to move around quickly.
How you can support your baby
1. Encourage and animate
In the first few months of life, it is best to lay your baby on their stomach on a soft playmat. From this position, they can strengthen their arm and leg muscles and prepare for crawling. Many babies don't like lying on their stomach at first. Always encourage your baby and simply lie down next to them to make them feel supported if they like. If your baby is already making the first attempts at crawling, you can support them by placing interesting objects or toys just out of your baby's reach. If your little one is not enthusiastic about it at first, you can give them a little encouragement. A good practice is to place toys or other interesting items that are visible but just out of baby's reach. This stimulates curiosity and creates an incentive to move forward.
If your baby hasn't tried to crawl yet, you shouldn't let that worry you at first. Some babies just start later than others. If your baby shows no interest in finally becoming mobile by their first birthday and has not yet learned how to coordinate their arms and legs, you should at least point this out to the pediatrician. Even if your baby skips crawling and starts walking straight away, you should still tell the pediatrician.
2. Create more freedom to move
As soon as your baby can crawl, they will want to pursue their newly learned ability all the time. Maybe your baby no longer wants to sleep in a classic sleeping bag because it can't move so well in it. This is where our Slumbersac sleeping bag with legs can help you. It provides more freedom of movement and your little one can easily crawl and play in it. This means that your baby can play in their sleeping bag in the evening before going to bed as well as crawl around in it in the morning until they get dressed without getting cold.
3. Make your home childproof
As soon as your baby can crawl, they will discover objects and places that were previously unreachable. Since babies are very curious, you should make sure that your home is childproof. All sockets should be fitted with fuses designed for this purpose. Stairs and steps represent the highest risk of accidents for babies and small children. Stairs should be blocked off with a stairgate, as children are often attracted to stairs. Dangerous and sharp edges should also be secured with edge protectors so that your baby can safely go on a discovery tour.
Since babies love to put everything in their mouths, it is particularly important to keep indoor plants out of reach. Some of these plants are poisonous or contain fertilizers in the potting soil. Cleaning products and detergents in the bathroom and storage room should also be locked away. Rearrange your kitchen cupboards. Everything that can break or be dangerous for the child belongs in the upper cabinets. Leave plastic crockery and wooden cutting boards in the lower cupboards and drawers so that little explorers can clear them out without damaging them.
Sleeping bag with feet
Now that your child is used to being mobile, they will protest loudly if asked to lie or sit still somewhere. Until just before bedtime or immediately after waking up, your little one wants to crawl around and explore their surroundings. That's why Slumbersac has created a sleeping bag with openings for little feet. It offers even more freedom of movement when sleeping and allows your little one to crawl, run and play as they please.
You can pack your child in the sleeping bag in the evening ready for sleep and they can play in it until you put them to bed. The same goes for mornings; you can get your child out of bed and they can walk and crawl around undisturbed without getting cold until it is time to get dressed.
