Crawling is a major developmental milestone that many parents consider worthy of a big celebration. I know I was overjoyed each time one of my kids learned. Some babies pick it up on their own, but others need a bit of help. Here’s how you can teach your baby to crawl.

Step 1: Relax

All children develop at different levels. If your child isn’t crawling at the exact age of his sibling, it’s not a big deal. Your child will crawl at some point. He might even walk first (that happens sometimes). So don’t fret!

Step 2: Put baby down

Your baby won’t crawl if he doesn’t have the opportunity. Make sure to place him on the floor (carpet, ideally, so they are comfortable) often. Get down on his level so he can interact with you. Sometimes it helps to roll a towel under his chest so he has a bit of leverage and can see better.

Step 3: Place toys just out of reach

Incentive your baby by placing some favorite items just out of reach so he has a reason to go for them. He’ll flap his arms and kick his legs a bit until he learns to use his hands and feet to get some purchase.

Step 4: Demonstrate the motion

Unlike most motions your baby has done before, crawling takes coordinated use of arms and legs. Show him how by crawling around him. Get down in the crawling position and stand still for a few minutes so he can observe. Then, slow crawl back and forth.

Step 5: Prop your baby up

At first it will be easier to practice holding the crawling position than to get into it. Pick your baby up and place his hands and knees properly. Eventually he’ll hold that position on his own. After a while, he’ll work to get to it himself.

Step 6: Call “come here!”

Use lots of positive reinforcement and happy language to coerce your baby to come to you. Likely he’ll want to anyway, but your insistence will spur him forward. If he makes any progress at all, be sure to slather on the praise so he knows that movement makes you happy.

Step 7: Accept your child’s limits

An angry or frustrated baby isn’t learning anything. If it seems like your child is too worked up to crawl, try again another time. There’s no sense in stressing him. When he does start to crawl, he won’t be zipping around your home right away. It takes time to build the necessary strength and endurance.

I hope that helps. Your baby will be crawling in no time!

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.

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