[valmartin]

I need your help. My guatemalan son turns 8 months old tomorrow. He is not crawling or even attempting to crawl. When I place him on his tummy, he will push up his head and upper body with his arms. He is not pushing up with his knees. He does not roll over to anything. He can roll from his stomach to his back on one side only. He can sit up if I place him in a sitting position. He does not try to sit on his own.

Does anyone else's 8 month old act like mine? I do practice "tummy time" with him everyday, but it seems like we are not making much advancement. My son would rather just lay on his stomach ( oh, by the way, he sleeps on his stomach...his fostermom placed him on his stomach and he won't go to sleep on his back).

Please advise. Thanks for the help.

[jalavimi]

I really wouldn't worry about it. You stated that he will push up with his arms - that's really good. Some kids do crawl early - mine (all three of them) didn't crawl or even attempt to until nine months or a little later. He can sit up when you place him there - that's great too. As long as he can do that and push up with his arms, I wouldn't worry. Does he go for a nine month checkup with his ped? That's when you can question the doctor if you still feel it is necessary. But, I do think your son is doing well.

[dac_cincy]

You are describing exactly the eway Aidan was when I first saw him at 8.5 months. I was very concerned and spoke with the foster mom about actually putting him down on the floor to play and letting him move around on his own. Within 2 months she reported that he was going everywhere. That said, you might want to contact your local county First steps/early intervention agency and have them come out for an assessment. They will be able to provide you with specifc things to do to help him catch up and they may provide some occupational therapy to help out.

Best wishes to you,

[tootsi20023]

Our daughter was the same way. She didn't start crawling until she was almost 11 months old and could not sit on her own until she was 10 months. She was walking by 13 months. She was in an orphanage up until she was 7 months old (when I moved to Antigua to care for her) and I think she was left in the crib a lot as she was bald on the back of her head. Perhaps he was held by his fostermom 24/7?

I personally was not concerned and think your son is just fine. JMO.

[triciabn]

I hope I qualify as experienced...lol... up until this recent baby NONE of my children have EVER crawled... and it wasn't for lack of trying or this famed "tummy time" that is so exhorted on this forum (I mean around here you would think it will lead to world peace opr something... I would go so far as to say it is over rated in it's importance). My babies got plenty of time and opportunity to learn to crawl....none ever did it. To be honest this newest little baby (he's 6months now) isn't crawling but he has come the closest so far... as in he can support himself on all fours.
All my children got their first tooth and learned to walk all in the same 2week span...most around 10months and one at 11months. This current baby is the earliest to sprout a tooth at 6months. If you sway towards a Waldorf type of education you could see how that would seem almost from the manual. Except Waldorf likes to see the babies crawl.
Anyways... one of my children has a tested IQ of over 130 and he never crawled a day (learned to walk at 10months after teething)... so yes crawling is important... but seems like he has done fine without it.
does you baby have any teeth yet? out of curiousity.
Tricia

[ERAmy]

I would give him another month forever home and see how hes doing then. If you are still concerned I would call your local Early Intervention or Birth to Three program for an evaluation. The eval is free so it doesnt hurt to get a professional opinion.
(my son has been in speech and OT for 3 yrs now and he just started Kindergarten).

[hesabanana]

I brought home my 10 month old on 2/23 and he was sitting with assistance and HATED tummy time. He is just starting to crawl. He was carried constantly. Don't worry...it will come!

[afl]

My dd was the same way at 8 months. She was finally starting to be able to sit up on her own, but didn't get herself to sitting. She didn't crawl until 9 months and now at a year is pulling up and cruising all over. She'll be walking soon I'm sure.

I think as long as you work with him, he'll catch up quickly.

[hml1976]

My daughter army crawled at 8.5mths but didn't crawl on all fours until 12mths! She walked at 14mths. I wouldn't worry about it at this point at all

[annaguat]

My girls were not doing much at that age if not less then your son. It also looks like he just came home in Feb. Maybe mention your concerns to the pediatrician and ask if your child needs help. It sounds like he is a happy go lucky sweetie pie. Anna

[DeeVee]

Hi Val,

I haven't been a regular on the forum in a while -- too busy. Glad you're home. This is sounding VERY familiar -- all the same with Carolina, when she came home at 9 mos.

Don't worry, he'll catch up. Call me if you want to chat.

[carrie2adopt]

My Grace is the same way. Actually, she couldn't even sit up on her own two weeks ago but now she can do that fairly well, and she's even standing on her own for a few seconds (I have to stand her up but she holds onto her crib rail and stands herself). She is not yet turning over even, I've seen her do it only twice since I've had her. She does not crawl, but will scooch backwards on her tummy. She too hates tummy time but she's been tolerating it better and better. We play a little game where she holds onto my hands while on her back and I start to pull her into a sitting position but then I stop and she pulls herself up while holding on to me. She's 8.5 months old. I think it'll just take time, and I've been told that there are some kids who skip crawling all together. Right now I'm working on getting her to roll over...I help her a bit and then let her finish herself.

[Mandy4President]

As some others are saying, my son (bio) was the same way. He didn't even sit up on his on when he was 9+ months and then all of a sudden at about 10.5 months he sat up and started crawling within a week. That is how he has always been, takes his time to start something but then you can't keep him down

[SheilaCo]

My son was eight months yesterday and is the same...he will push himself up and roll a little but doesn't have any interest in crawling. I don't know if he ever will but I'm not at all worried. All kids do their own thing in their own time. If your son is strong otherwise, IMO it's not a big deal.

BTW, my 10 year old niece never crawled, she just scooted and then went right to walking. She HATED being on her stomach. She is absolutley fine, beautiful and smart as anything. Don't worry!

Sheila