The Lowdown On Crawling Backward

“My baby is crawling backwards but can’t go forward yet, is that normal?”

Answer:  Absolutely! Crawling backward is a totally normal progression on the way to hands-and-knees crawling forward. It is often actually related to the floor surface, developing strength & coordination in the big muscle groups that contribute to hands and knees crawling. Those big muscle groups being the hips, shoulders, and core! It can also be related to a child learning more about their body and spatial awareness. They are figuring out where their body is in space, related to their environment & obstacles within it! 

Here are a few quick tips if you’re noticing your little one crawling backward: 

+Try getting them onto a surface like carpet, rather than hardwood. Carpet allows for more traction & easier attempts at moving forward.

+Regardless of surface, try taking their pants & socks off so their bare skin is against the floor.

+Try giving them your hands or a hard surface (like a book) to push their feet off of! You can even advance one foot, hold the support & act like a wall, then advance the other, similar to a true hands and knees crawl!

Hope that helps, but again, know that it is typically a total normal progression towards hands and knees crawling forward. Your little one is doing great, and so are you! 

WANT MORE?

For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.

KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of two (soon to be three)! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.