This months letter of the month:

Q. My friend's baby started to crawl at 6 months. My boy is almost eight months, and he hasnt shown any interest in crawling. Should I be worried?

A. It's never a good thing to make comparisons, especially when it comes to crawling; considered only an optional skill. Because crawling, unlike sitting or pulling-up, is not a predicable part of the developmental pattern, it isnt included on most assessment scales.

Some babies crawl as early as six months, especially if they've spent lots of supervised playtime on their tummies, but typically babies start crawling closer to nine months. More babies are starting to crawling later these days, because of less time spent on their tummies, and some babies never crawl at all. They simply get up one day and walk, much to the surprise of their parents. So not crawling is no reason to worry, as long as other developmental milestones are being reached e.g. sitting - a skill babies must master before they can crawl. Those babies who decide not to crawl are limited in mobility for a[Kaleidoscope - Colleen] only a short time... until they figure out how to pull up, to cruise (from chair to coffee table to sofa!) and finally to walk. In fact, many babies who never take to crawling end up walking earlier than proficient crawlers who are happy for months on all fours.

There are different styles of crawling. Shuffling along on the tummy is usually a precursor to crawling on hands and knees.

Many babies begin crawling by going backwards or sideways, and dont get the hang of going forwards for weeks.

Some scoot on one knee or on their bottom, and others travel on hands and feet, a stage that many babies reach just before walking. The way your baby gets from one point to another is much less important than the fact that he's making an effort to move about independently.

If, however, he is not using both arms and legs equally ie both sides of his body, please check with your doctor.

Some babies don't crawl because they have not had the chance. ie he has been in a cot, or push chair.. or he has been lying on his back... so he wont learn to raise himself up on his hands and knees. Be sure your baby spends plenty of supervised time on the floor on his tummy (dont worry about dirt as long as the floor has been swept free of small particles and dangerous obstacles.) To encourage him to move forward, try putting a favourite toy or a shiny something a short distance infront of him.. Do remember to protect his knees.. even a soft carpet tends to be scratchy on soft skin, and might even discourage him to crawl. Wean him from the stationery walker if he's using one, and limit playpen to times when you can supervise him.

One way or another, before you know it, your baby will be taking off - and getting into trouble. And you'll be left wondering.. why was I in such a hurry? So enjoy every stage.. it all goes so very quickly.