Army Crawling: Gentle Ways to Support Your Baby’s Movement
Army crawling can be a normal and temporary way for babies to begin moving across the floor.
Every baby develops differently. The playful ideas on this page offer opportunities to practise arm support, weight shifting, core strength and bringing the knees underneath the body—without forcing a milestone.
The goal is not to “fix” your baby. It is simply to offer different movement experiences through safe, floor-based play.
Is Army Crawling Normal?
Army crawling—sometimes called belly crawling—is one of the ways a baby may begin moving independently.
Some babies army crawl briefly before progressing to hands-and-knees crawling. Others may use a mixture of crawling styles as they explore their environment.
Rather than focusing on one particular crawling style, it can be helpful to notice:
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Whether your baby uses both sides of the body
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Whether their movement continues to change and develop
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Whether they appear comfortable while moving
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Whether they can turn, reach and shift their weight in different directions
A crawling pattern does not need to look perfectly symmetrical every moment. However, a strong and persistent preference for one side may be worth discussing with a pediatric physiotherapist or another qualified pediatric healthcare provider.
Before You Begin
Choose a firm, safe floor and remain beside your baby throughout the activity.
Keep practice brief, gentle and playful. A few enjoyable attempts are more valuable than continuing when your baby is tired or frustrated.
Pause or stop if your baby:
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Becomes increasingly upset
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Appears uncomfortable
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Holds their breath or strains
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Consistently turns away from the activity
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Becomes too tired to support their body comfortably
Your baby does not need to complete every activity. Follow their cues and meet them where they are today.
Playful Ways to Support Movement
These videos were created by a pediatric physiotherapist and are shared as additional parent education. Each activity offers a different opportunity for babies to explore strength, balance and movement.
Army Crawling
When Should I Ask for Help
Consider speaking with a pediatric physiotherapist, your child’s physician or another qualified pediatric healthcare provider if you notice:
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Your baby consistently moves using only one side
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One arm or leg appears to participate much less than the other
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Your baby appears uncomfortable during floor play
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Your baby has lost a movement skill they previously used
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Movement is not progressing or changing over time
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You have concerns about your baby’s overall development
Parents do not need to wait until they are certain something is wrong. An individual assessment can provide reassurance and recommendations specific to your baby.
Seek prompt medical care if your baby suddenly stops using an arm or leg, experiences a significant loss of skills, appears acutely unwell or has experienced an injury.
Video Credit. The video demonstrations linked on this page were created by pediatric physical therapist Kenzie Dalrymple of PT and Parenthood. Please visit the original Instagram posts for her complete demonstrations, instructions and educational context.
Cocoon Health & Wellness has organized these links as a parent resource and has not created or modified the original video content.
A Gentle Reminder. This resource provides general education and does not replace an individual developmental, physiotherapy or medical assessment. Activities may not be appropriate for every baby. Follow your baby’s cues and contact a qualified healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
Gentle, baby-led osteopathic care in Milton, Ontario.