CDC Developmental Milestones

The CDC provides recommendations for tracking developmental milestones like crawling. These developmental milestones are not a screening tool, but, on the contrary, are a great resource that helps track milestones of development.  Families can use the CDC recommendations to keep track of their baby’s progression in skills like gross motor, fine motor, communication.

Using Developmental Milestones

As a result, families are more informed to discuss any concerns with skills (like crawling) with their health care provider. These discussions between informed caregivers and health care providers consequently help identify delays early and provide early intervention when needed. 

Changes to the Developmental Milestones

In early 2022, the CDC has changed its developmental guidelines. One of those changes is that crawling is no longer on the list of developmental milestones.  Your pediatrician and other professionals can guide you on the specific development of your baby.  Most importantly, we want to take the opportunity to educate you on the importance of crawling.  

6 Benefits of Crawling

Crawling helps develop skills that impact lifelong success. Below are 6 reasons why crawling is important. 

1. Core and Shoulder Strength:

Babies are developing their core and shoulder muscles to keep them in a 4 point position (hands and knees). The development of core muscles are necessary to maintain a good, upright posture and balance.  Also, when we want to have dynamic movement of our hands, we must have a stable core.  Oftentimes, children who have difficulty with fine motor skills, have weak core and shoulder muscles

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2. Extensor Muscle Development:

Babies are born in a natural flexed position. Tummy time and crawling develop the muscles of the back and neck.  These muscles help with keeping a good posture. 

3. Reciprocal and Bilateral Movement:

Within the first year of life, the left and right sides of the brain and body are learning how to work together.  Similarly, the brain and body are learning how to coordinate the upper and lower half of the body.  Crawling teaches the body how to alternate the right and left sides of the body in a reciprocal pattern.  It also teaches the body how to reciprocally move the legs and hips in a pattern. 

4. Weight Bearing through Hands:

When a baby is in a 4 point position, they push weight through their hands.  This integrates the palmar reflex, strengthens the hands and fingers and decreases tactile sensitivity.  Kids who do not crawl may have decreased fine motor skills or have tactile sensory challenges. Likewise, they may also have a tight grasp or press too hard or too light with writing tools. 

5. Teaches natural transition from sit to stand: 

Typically, babies learn how to stand by pushing through their hands on the ground to stand up.  Crawling encourages babies to push through their hands and position themselves to stand up from sitting.  If they do not crawl, they may develop alternative ways to move from sitting to standing.  

6. Breaks up primitive reflexes:

Babies are born with primitive reflexes.  Crawling is a natural way to break these primitive reflexes as children develop more purposeful and functional movement patterns.  If babies do not crawl, they may have residual reflexes that will dictate their movement patterns. 

These 6 reasons explain why many believe crawling is a necessary developmental step. With that said, as we always discuss, every child is unique and does not follow the same trends. If you are ever concerned about your child’s development, an occupational therapist, physical therapist or your pediatrician can help assess if your child needs additional support. 

If your baby is not yet ready to crawl, visit our blog about tummy time https://conquertherapyservices.com/2022/03/07/tummy-time/. Being on their tummy, will help develop the skills necessary for crawling!