Topics of Discussion
When did your preemie crawl?

Preemie-l discussion forum       http://home.vicnet.net.au/~garyh/preemie_forum/

Angel notes, "JUST keep in mind, every child is different. That is the line I have been drilled into my head, everytime I ask a therapist that question. Katie is almost 17 months and started crawling at 14 months!! She now gets up to her walker by herself(the fisher price one) and walks around the living room. I have heard that if babies are around other babies that are doing things they aren't then they catch on quicker. Everything takes time, we just think of it this way"Last year, she slept 23 hours a day, I had to turn her over,we could barely hear her cry!! She has come a long way and yours will too....also...if your child is cutting teeth or eating more, certain things play hand and hand with each development. Our therapist said that if she was cutting teeth then she could care less about learning something new in PT. So you have to weigh what your baby is doing over all...good luck.."

Yoomee notes, "Nicholas started walking at 15 months (12 months corrected). I can't remember when he started crawling (I'm at work, don't have his baby book here with me). I think genetics play a part on how early a baby walks, etc. I've been told DH was a late walker also. In comparison, all of my sitter's children (3) have walked by 10 months of age. Can you imagine chasing after a 10-month old baby that can walk, but won't listen?"

Trudy adds, "Just this weekend we watched my daughter, Samantha, 14 mos (12.5 corrected; she was a 33 wkr), take several unassisted, faltering steps across our kitchen floor to reach the counter. (We just began replacing the linoleum with tile...maybe she likes it better?) She had been, for maybe the 4 weeks prior to this weekend, taking a few steps to me or her father if we sat in front of her doing the "come on, come to momma, daddy" thing. But no walking without that encouragement, and most of those times she just plopped down and crawled. She was standing a lot on her birthday, at 10.5 mos corrected, but wouldn't walk even with support. Now she will walk with us holding her hands, and loves to push toys around - she walks great like that. But, on her own, she is still working on her confidence. She crawled around 10 mos, 8.5 corrected, but always looked a little lopsided to me. Using one leg more than the other, kind of like pushing with that leg instead of crawling! I understand though; I have a friend whose baby will be a year old on 12/20, nearly 11 weeks after Samantha's birth, and that child is WALKING! No hesitance there. But, I'm happy for her, and Samantha's getting there. Try some toys he can push; we got Samantha a little car that has a handle on the back she can push it with, or she can ride it. It's made to be pushed or ridden, so it doesn't turn over with her. She can back that thing out of corners, get it off the wall when she runs into it, maneuver turns, it's amazing what she can do with that car....she's just not ready to do it solo!"

Vickie says, "My son was a 34 wkr, but had delays in gross/fine motor skills and speech. He sat at 10 1/2 mo (9 mo. corr.) Crawled at 13 mo (11 1/2 corr.) Walked at 18 mo. (16 1/2 corr.) Despite his delays, Matt just missed qualifying for therapy. Crawling *is not* a milestone, since some kids skip it altogether. Sounds like your son is doing great. Remember that there is a huge range of "normal", but if you still have questions call your ped. for reassurance."