Do 6 Month Olds Crawl? | Milestones And When To Wait

If you are staring at the floor and wondering, “do 6 month olds crawl?”, you are not alone.
Many parents start to feel nervous around this age when every new skill seems to matter so much.
The good news is that most babies are still warming up their muscles at six months rather than crawling from room to room.

This guide walks through what is typical for crawling age, what many 6 month olds are doing instead, simple ways to encourage movement, and when to talk with your baby’s doctor.
By the end, you will have a clear picture of where crawling usually fits in the first year and what to watch for next.

Do 6 Month Olds Crawl? Development At A Glance

For most babies, the answer to “do 6 month olds crawl?” is no.
Many babies start crawling closer to 7–10 months, and some move later or skip classic hands-and-knees crawling altogether.
At six months, your baby is far more likely to be rolling, pushing up on hands, and sitting with help than crawling across the room.

Researchers and pediatric experts describe a wide normal range for crawling.
Some babies shuffle on their bellies around six or seven months, while others wait until closer to their first birthday.
What matters most is steady progress in overall movement skills, not hitting crawling on one exact date.

Age Range	Typical Movement Skill	What You Might See
4–5 months	Tummy strength	Baby lifts head and chest, props on forearms on the floor.
5–6 months	Rolling	Rolling from tummy to back and often back to tummy.
6 months	Early sitting	Sitting with hands planted in front, then brief upright sitting.
6–7 months	Pivoting	Turning in a circle on the tummy, pushing backward on the floor.
7–9 months	Classic crawling	Moving on hands and knees, often starting with short bursts.
7–10 months	Alternate styles	Army crawl, bottom scoot, or one-leg “lunge” style crawling.
9–12 months	Pulling to stand	Using furniture to stand, then cruising along the couch.

Many milestone charts list rolling, pushing up on straight arms, and sitting with help as typical movement skills at six months, while crawling shows up later in the first year.
So if your baby is strong on the floor but not yet crawling, that still fits a normal pattern.

Crawling In 6 Month Olds: Typical Age Range

Large studies and pediatric groups describe crawling as a skill that tends to fall between about 7 and 10 months, and some sources stretch that window to 6–12 months.
Some babies are eager and mobile early; others are more laid back and slower to move.
A portion of babies never crawl in the classic way and move straight from rolling or bum-shuffling to pulling up to stand.

The CDC 6-month developmental milestones list rolling, pushing up on arms, and leaning on hands while sitting as typical movement skills for this age, not crawling.
Crawling skills show up in the next set of milestones as babies approach 9 months, where many begin to rock on hands and knees or move backward before going forward.

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes in its movement guide for 8 to 12 months that crawling is usually mastered sometime in the second half of the first year.
That means a baby who is not crawling at six months, but is building strength and learning to sit, still fits in a wide normal range.

The timing of crawling is shaped by many factors: muscle tone, time spent on the floor, chance, and your baby’s own style.
Comparing one baby to another rarely helps, because each child builds skills on a personal timeline.

What 6 Month Olds Usually Do Instead Of Crawling

If six months does not usually bring crawling, what should you expect instead?
For many babies, this age is all about gaining control over the head, trunk, and shoulders so that crawling later feels easy.

Rolling And Floor Mobility

Many 6 month olds roll from tummy to back and often from back to tummy.
Rolling lets your baby move toward toys and people in a simple way that still counts as real mobility.
Some babies roll across the room, using this skill instead of crawling for a while.

Early Sitting Skills

Around six months, babies often sit with hands braced in front like a little tripod.
Over the next weeks, they learn to sit upright for longer stretches without tipping over.
Sitting builds balance and core strength, both of which prepare the body for the weight shifts that crawling needs.

Push-Ups And Pivoting

On the floor, many 6 month olds push up on straight arms during tummy time.
From that position, they may pivot in a circle, reach for toys, or push themselves backward.
You might see your baby scoot backward under the couch long before any forward crawl appears.

All these skills show that your baby is working hard, even if there is no clear crawl yet.
When you wonder again, “do 6 month olds crawl?”, remember that most are building the foundation during this stage rather than racing across the floor.

How To Encourage Safe Pre-Crawling Skills

You cannot force crawling on a schedule, but you can set up chances for your baby to move and practice.
Simple daily habits often give more benefit than fancy toys.

Daily Tummy Time

Tummy time is one of the best ways to build strength for crawling.
Aim for short, frequent sessions across the day, such as a few minutes after each diaper change.
Lay your baby on a firm surface, stay close, and use your face, a mirror, or a favorite toy to keep interest up.

If your baby fusses on the tummy, try changing the angle.
Place your baby across your legs, on your chest while you recline, or on a slightly sloped pillow designed for supervised play.
Small changes in position can make the work feel easier and more fun.

Floor Play And Toy Placement

Give your baby time each day on a safe floor space rather than in swings, seats, or bouncers.
On the floor, your baby learns how the body feels when weight shifts from side to side or front to back.
Keep the area clear of small objects and anything that could be pulled over.

Place toys just out of comfortable reach so your baby has a reason to stretch, roll, and pivot.
A rattle, board book, or soft block can act like a small “goal” that draws the body forward.
When your baby reaches the toy, smile and talk to show that effort matters.

Helping Balance And Strength While Sitting

Sit on the floor with your legs open like a wide “V” and place your baby between them.
This creates a safe space to wobble and correct without tipping far.
Let your baby hold a toy while you gently nudge from different sides so the trunk learns how to steady itself.

You can also roll a soft ball back and forth while your baby sits, turn pages of a sturdy book, or sing songs with hand motions.
All of these simple games invite small shifts in weight that feed directly into future crawling moves.

When To Talk With Your Pediatrician About Crawling

Most babies who are not crawling at six months are completely on track.
Even so, some signs deserve a closer look, especially when several appear together or your gut keeps nagging at you.
Your baby’s doctor is there for these questions, not only for sick visits.

The signals below do not mean something is wrong by themselves, but they are worth bringing up at a visit or by phone.

Age	Sign To Watch	Suggested Next Step
6 months	Still very floppy or very stiff most of the time.	Ask the doctor to check muscle tone and movement.
6 months	Does not roll in either direction during play.	Mention this at the next visit or call the office.
7–8 months	Rarely pushes up on arms during tummy time.	Talk with the doctor about more floor practice or therapy.
9 months	Shows little interest in moving toward toys or people.	Ask about a formal motor screening.
9–10 months	Cannot sit on the floor without help from hands or pillows.	Bring this up and ask whether a referral is helpful.
By 12 months	No way of getting around (no rolling, crawling, or scooting).	Request a full developmental check as soon as possible.
Any age	Loss of a skill your baby already had.	Call the doctor right away and describe what changed.

If you see one or more of these signs, or you just feel uneasy, you do not need to wait for the next routine visit.
Call the office, share what you see, and ask whether an earlier check makes sense.
Early physical or occupational therapy can help many babies build strength and coordination.

Safety Tips Once Your Baby Starts Moving

Crawling or even fast rolling turns a calm baby into a sudden explorer.
A little planning now can spare a lot of stress later when your baby reaches favorite shelves and cords.

Make The Floor Space Safe

Get down on your hands and knees and look at the room from baby level.
Cover outlets, tuck away cords, and move small objects, houseplants, and breakables.
Check under furniture where a baby might roll or crawl, not just on open floor.

Secure Heavy Items

Anchor bookcases, dressers, and TVs to the wall so they cannot tip if a baby pulls up.
Use gates at the top and bottom of stairs once your baby starts moving more than a step or two at a time.
Keep doors closed to rooms that are hard to baby-proof, such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Think About Pets And Older Siblings

As your baby moves farther and faster, pets and older children may feel crowded.
Teach gentle touch, give pets a safe retreat, and set simple rules so everyone feels secure.
Short, guided play sessions work better than unsupervised time in a busy room.

Staying Calm About Crawling And Milestones

It is easy to feel pressure when people share stories about early crawlers or when social media shows babies racing down hallways.
Six months is still early for crawling for most children.
Rolling, pushing up, and sitting for short periods are strong signs that your baby is moving along on a healthy path.

If you ever feel stuck in worry, step back and look at the full picture: Is your baby gaining new skills over time, making eye contact, showing interest in play, and moving more than last month?
Those patterns matter much more than whether a classic crawl appears right at six months.

Keep offering floor time, talk and sing during play, and enjoy the small changes from week to week.
When a concern nags at you, bring it to your baby’s doctor sooner rather than later.
You know your baby better than anyone, and your observations help guide care long before any chart or checklist.