Does your kid have a funny looking crawl?

Bum shuffling? Bottom cruiser? Tripod?
Is there something odd about the way your kid is crawling? In this video I discuss the importance of cross crawling, what it could mean, and why your child may be crawlig in an unusual manner.
Have a question? Shoot me an email: [e-mail]

[@EllaBeth30]

my baby is 9 moths old and is scooting using one leg only dragging the other one. His he is extending both hands forward pushing himself forward with the right leg. When I stand him up he seems to be distributing his weight evenly between both legs. Is there anything to be worried about this scooting style?

[@AskDrChristian]

Hi Katrin - thank you for the question! So is it a case of him sort of dragging along on his tummy still? When you stand him up, does he push up with both legs? And is he able to bend his knees and push them to straight again when standing? If you would like, you are welcome to send a short video through to [e-mail] for me to review!

[@EllaBeth30]

@@AskDrChristian yes, he is able to push with both legs when standing up and also is bending both knees just fine. He is dragging on his tummy with the support on one leg and the other one is just straight. I can send a video for your review, no problem, many thanks!

[@katarinatoporcerovarisova8295]

My babygirl is crawling down on her belly, she is using only RIGHT side - left leg is straight (never bend the knee) and on her left arm she is using her forearm. when she goes on her all four, her right arm is straight (her palm is touching base) but using her left elbow (forearm) to stay in this position she is also using only left side to get herself side sitting - I think thats why she is using her left forearm when crawling on belly she will be 10months in 2 weeks. How can I help her to stop asymetrical crawling please? THX! 🤍

[@AskDrChristian]

Hi Katarina, and thank you for reaching out. Sounds like a very confusing crawling pattern... So on her tummy she drags her left leg, but when she needs to do something, she only uses her left side? Are you able to send a video of this for me to review to [e-mail] - this will make things a lot clearer for me!

[@daveygomery1888]

My 8 month old has been mobile for almost a month. He slithers along on his belly, pushing with his right leg only, and pulling with both his arms. His left leg always remains stretched out not doing anything. He moves his left leg at other times, but just not for crawling. Not sure how long I should wait to see if it corrects itself or when I should be concerned

[@AskDrChristian]

Hi there Davey, Hmm. If he uses it at other times, that lowers my concern a bit, but I would still be interested to know why he may be crawling like that. Does your house have hard/firm floors or carpet? Have you had all the hip checks and whatnots done? Christian

[@daveygomery1888]

@@AskDrChristian Hi Dr Christian, thank you for the swift reply. Our main living area is an open plan lounge / kitchen with firm carpet in the lounge area and hard lino flooring in the kitchen. I'm based in the UK. For the first couple of months after birth we had regular Dr check ups, but no concerns raised throughout, then support stops after that. I can book an appointment, but the NHS is struggling here and since the pandemic only do telephone appointments, progressing to face to face if they really are concerned about something. The NHS tends to be very reactive rather than preventative. (Governemnts fault) I can try to book an appointment but I don't anticipate much help. Having read a blog post of yours yesterday I was monitoring his side sitting... he naturally side sits with his right leg under his body and left leg out to the side, and when he attempts to move forward to crawl he struggles to push himself over the right leg. If I switch his legs round to side sit on his left leg, when he goes to move forward there are no issues , he uses his right leg to push his weight up and over his left leg. I've also noticed if I prop him up into a standing / leaning position in front of the sofa, he keeps his left leg straight putting his weight on the left leg, but uses his right leg to control balancing. However, he is fine kneeling with both legs bent, and if he wants to push himself back onto all fours he can with both hips bent. lying on his back for changing he moves both hips up equally. There doesn't appear to be any restriction of movement in the hip, which makes me think its his brain causing the right leg dominance rather than mobility issues in the hip

[@AskDrChristian]

Hi again Davey, Yes, the last few years have certainly put some strains on the system, and even down here appointments were very hard to come by or done over the phone.... which is not particularly helpful when working with kids. So my line of thinking is developmental now, which could be musckuloskeletal in origin. I'm not sure where in the UK you are based, but I happen to know a brilliant chiropractor in Southhampton - Mike Marinus at St James Chiropractic. I can send him a message and if you give his office a call he might be able to have a chat with you over the phone and point you in a direction better than I could! Christian

[@hellosunshine360]

Hi doctor , my baby is 12 months old.she is crawling with two arms and one knee and the other foot on the floor to move forward.she is standing with support but isnt walking yet, but is quite active .is this normal.

[@AskDrChristian]

Hi there! The crawl itself is a little atypical but by this stage its likely to be habit. Might be worth investigating this a little further to see if there is a reason for this to occur (and it can be anywhere from the foot to the hands and all between!). Walking is around 12 months, so I wouldn't be too concerned about that at this stage, but certainly keep an eye on things. Have a great day!

[@jojosantiago2211]

Notice. the step crawl. Does he move fast. But I've never seen it before. It's adorable actually. It's like he wants to stand and crawl at the same time at 9 months.