Does crawling still matter?

Why Crawling Still Matters (Even if Your Doctor Says It’s Optional)

(Is Crawling Important? Understanding Motor Milestones)

If your baby scoots on their bottom or goes straight to walking, you might hear, “It’s fine! Crawling isn’t even a milestone anymore.”
But here’s the truth: crawling plays a big role in your baby’s brain and body development — and skipping it can impact more than just how they move.

Let’s break down why crawling still matters (even if your pediatrician says otherwise) and what you can do to help your baby thrive.

Why Crawling Is More Than Just Moving

Crawling isn’t only about getting from point A to B. It’s a building block for your child’s coordination, strength, and sensory processing.
Here’s what it supports:

• Brain development: Crawling connects the right and left sides of the brain through cross-lateral movement (opposite hand and knee working together). This helps with skills like reading, writing, and focus later in life.

• Core and shoulder strength: It builds the muscles your baby will use for climbing, handwriting, and sitting up tall.

• Balance and coordination: Crawling helps kids develop body awareness and learn to move confidently through space.

• Visual skills: Looking forward while moving teaches babies to track objects — a skill needed for reading and catching a ball later on.

But My Doctor Says Crawling Isn’t Required…

It’s true: the American Academy of Pediatrics no longer lists crawling as a “must-hit” milestone for walking. Why? Because babies can walk without crawling first.

But “not required” doesn’t mean “not important.”
Skipping crawling can sometimes be a sign that your baby is compensating because of:

• Tightness (like torticollis or a mild tongue tie affecting neck and core muscles)

• Low or high muscle tone

• Sensory sensitivities (avoiding pressure on their hands and knees)

• Difficulty coordinating opposite sides of the body

Sometimes, these babies need a little extra help from a pediatric PT to build strength and coordination before walking.

How to Encourage Crawling

If your baby prefers scooting, here are a few ways to make crawling fun:

1. Tummy time “obstacle courses”: Place a favorite toy just out of reach so they pivot and army-crawl toward it.

2. Tunnel play: Crawl through a pop-up tunnel or under the dining table together.

3. Pillow mountains: Stack soft pillows for them to climb over — it builds strength and keeps crawling exciting.

4. Crawl races: Get on the floor with your baby and model the movement. Babies love copying their parents!

If your baby is older than 10–12 months and still isn’t showing interest in crawling — or is only scooting — it’s worth talking to a pediatric PT/OT. A quick assessment can help rule out any underlying issues and get them moving confidently.

Bottom Line

Crawling may not be a “required” milestone anymore, but it’s still a key step for building the foundation for movement, learning, and coordination.
If your baby skipped crawling or prefers scooting, it doesn’t mean something is wrong — but helping them explore crawling can benefit them now and later.

At Milestones Therapy + Wellness, we help babies and toddlers build the skills they need to move, play, and grow with confidence.
If you’re wondering whether your baby needs support, schedule a free consultation— we’ll help you feel confident about your child’s milestones.