How Should Crawling Movement In A 4 Month Baby Be?

Posted on Thu, 3 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 3 Apr 2014 Answered on

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor, I am mother of 4 months and 22 days old baby boy with around 8 kgs weight and 69 cms height. 1. My son is rolling over the tummy from both right and left side comfortably. 2. He can lift his head for few minutes with balance on his elbows. 3. He can distinguish familiar and non-familiar faces. 4. He loves to go around for evening walks. 5. He is with lot of sweets coos and his talks. 6. He lifts both his legs using his hands and eats toe finger. 7. He can hold object using both the hands. 8. He is regular in bowel movement, passing urine. In general I feel he is a healthy boy. But many people tell me that by this time he should have been crawling. From last few days he started crawling which has raised some concern for me. 1. He is pressing one leg and hand against carpet and using another hand and leg he is crawling. It is like using one portion(left side) of the body he is crawling. 2. He is not lifting his head at that time. 3. He makes lot of noise while crawling. What I want to understand is “Is this normal or should I be worried about his developmental delays” Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: All mile stones are very normal Detailed Answer: Hi, XXXX, Thanks for posting query. I should congratulate you for child doing every movements and behaviors are absolutely normal. This is very fine that at this age he distinguishes familiar and non familiar voices. Holding head, putting toes in the mouth with good gripping of the things are really excellent. Crowing starts after 4-5 months which he started. Movements while crawling is normal and it can be variable so nothing to worry about it. In short, by mentally, physically and health wise he is very perfect. I hope, I answered your query to your satisfaction. If you have further query or clarification, please write back. Enjoy your motherhood with your so gracious child. Ok and take care. From, Dr. Ramesh Vachharajani. Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani (1 hour later)

Dear Doctor, Thank you very much for the response. I was more worried when today morning my father was bit concerned about his crawling style. Hence I decided to check in this forum with an experienced doctor. Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Thanks for appreciation answer. Detailed Answer: Hi, XXXX, Thanks for posting query again. This is quite normal. Initially a child will go for crawling according to his way for convenience and feeling easy. Just as while learning standing and walking he might have some different gate and style but gradually he will start regular standing and walking. At this age he started crawling is very good. If you have no further query or clarification, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Thanks. Dr. Ramesh Vachharajani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani (1 hour later)

Hello Doctor, Thanks for the reply. I have one last query after that I would go ahead and close the discussion. Today I was observing the kid more closely. When the kid is on tummy if I keep any toy near right hand he tries to grab it. But if I keep near left hand, response is not so good, every time he does not grab it. Is this normal? Why I am asking is he is pressing left part of the body towards carpet crawls/pulls himself. Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh M.Vachharajani (18 hours later)

Brief Answer: Nothing to worry about problem. Detailed Answer: Hi, XXXX, Thanks for query again. The problem you described I think is not of much importance, as there might be changing this tactic very often. During lying down position on back, if all movements of hands and feet are normal and free, nothing to worry. take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E