A parent asks
Every baby must crawl before learning to walk normally.
Developmental milestone advice
What the evidence says
There is not one compulsory crawl-then-walk sequence for every child. Current CDC milestone monitoring focuses on functional skills such as pulling to stand and walking rather than requiring crawling as a prerequisite.
Where it gets nuanced
Skipping crawling by itself is different from losing a skill, using one side very differently, or having broader movement concerns. Development should be considered as a whole.
The Harmony Bridge
Do not use crawling alone as a pass/fail test. Watch the child's overall movement progress and raise any developmental concern with the child's healthcare professional.
Talking about it at home
If you need to explain this to family
You could say: “Crawling isn’t a compulsory box every child has to tick before walking. We’re watching overall movement and progress rather than one exact sequence.”
Sources
- Milestones by 18 MonthsCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Reviewed by Saha editorial on 2026-10-04. Editorial review does not mean clinician review or medical validation.