As you eagerly await your baby’s first movements, you may be surprised at the way the learning process transpires. Your child may throw you a curveball by inventing his or her own interesting ways to move around. Since the traditional movements will quickly follow suit, you can sit back and enjoy the inventive movement techniques your child develops. Read on to learn about four movements kids often employ before picking up the natural crawling and walking methods you likely expected to see.
Inch Worm
With adherence to the ‘Back to Sleep’ safety guidelines, your baby will only learn to move like an inch worm after mastering rolling over to the stomach at four to six months. At that point, you may notice your baby bracing with his or her arms and head while pulling both legs up to the chest. Babies will then push their upper body forward at the knees to make it forward a few inches. When combined with rolling, babies can actually make it quickly across the floor without supporting their upper body with their arms.
Butt Scoot
Once your baby can sit unsupported at five to six months of age, the butt scoot maneuver may become part of the daily repertoire. Babies will usually perform this movement while leaning forward and using the arms for extra support. At that point, it is possible to scoot in a full circle or move backwards quite easily. Babies often move into the crawling position upon learning how to shift weight from their bottom to their upper body.
Bear Crawl
Although it seems like a traditional on the knees crawling position would be easier, some babies take to the bear crawl much faster. Around age six months, you may see your child testing out this maneuver without yet putting one foot, and hand, in front of the other. After establishing a good balance, babies quickly learn how to jet forward on both hands and feet. The bear crawl is often just as quick, if not even quicker, than a traditional crawl. Since your child’s eyes are positioned toward the floor while bear crawling, expect a few head bonks on furniture around the room.
Quick Climb
Even before babies learn to walk at nine to eighteen months, it is common to see these little tykes attempting to scale the crib walls and other furniture throughout the house. Kicking one leg up onto furniture or over the crib bars is a common movement that indicates that your little one is on the way to climbing up and over. Reposition the crib or even consider a toddler bed to prevent a fall from high up. Increase direct observation of your child to prevent climbs onto, and falls off of, the couch or other nearby furniture.
As you watch your child learn independent movement tactics during the first year, make sure to take a ton of pictures of the process. Your family will love reminiscing on the unique ways each child mastered independent movement.