Crawling is Necessary! Types, Benefits, and How to Encourage It. Chiropractic View!

Crawling from a Chiropractic View with all the benefits explained.

(From the team at Chiropatrick Chiropractic — Falmouth, Maine)

Crawling might look like a small milestone, but it’s one of the most powerful developmental phases your child will ever go through. Before those first steps, crawling lays the groundwork for strength, coordination, and brain development — building the foundation for posture, balance, and lifelong movement patterns.

Here at Chiropatrick Chiropractic, we often remind parents that every stage of development matters — especially the ones close to the ground. Whether your little one is belly-scooting, bear-crawling, or zooming across the floor, each motion plays a vital role in shaping a healthy nervous system and body alignment for years to come.

Types of Crawling

Every baby moves differently, and that’s part of their unique development journey. The key is to encourage movement, not perfection.

1. Army (Belly) Crawl

This early version of crawling happens when babies drag their bellies while using their arms and legs to pull forward. It’s one of the first signs of strength and coordination, helping develop shoulder and arm stability.

2. Hands-and-Knees (Classic) Crawl

This is the traditional crawl — up on hands and knees, moving opposite arm and leg together. It’s essential for cross-body coordination and building communication between the left and right brain hemispheres.

3. Bear Crawl

In this advanced version, the hips stay up and the baby moves on hands and feet. It requires more strength and balance, further improving posture and whole-body stability.

4. Commando or Roll Crawl

Some babies move by pulling with their elbows or rolling side to side. It may look unconventional, but it still builds muscle tone, mobility, and body awareness.

Developmental Benefits of Crawling

Crawling offers far more than just mobility — it’s a neurological workout that supports many future skills:

• Core and Postural Strength – Builds the muscles needed for sitting, standing, and walking with proper alignment.

• Bilateral Coordination – Trains the brain to coordinate both sides of the body — a critical skill for walking, writing, and sports.

• Sensory Integration – Enhances tactile, and visual processing — helping babies understand where their bodies are in space.

• Balance and Stability – Prepares the body for upright movement by improving trunk control and joint alignment.

• Cognitive Growth – Encourages problem-solving, spatial awareness, and visual tracking — all key for later learning and reading skills.

At Chiropatrick Chiropractic, we see this connection firsthand. The same neurological pathways that develop during crawling are the ones that influence posture, balance, and spinal control later in life — the same systems we work to restore through spinal corrective care and postural rehabilitation.

How to Encourage Crawling at Home

Here are simple, effective ways to help your baby strengthen their foundation naturally:

1. Plenty of Tummy Time

Start early and increase gradually. This strengthens the neck, shoulders, and core — muscles that make crawling possible.

2. Motivate With Play

Place a favorite toy just out of reach or call their name with open arms. Small goals keep your baby moving forward!

3. Create a Safe Floor Space

Use a soft mat or carpeted area free of slippery floors, cords, or hazards. Babies need room to explore and fail safely.

4. Limit Container Time

Walkers, jumpers, and seats can delay crawling by restricting movement. Encourage floor play instead — it’s the ultimate gym for babies.

5. Get Down and Crawl With Them

Modeling the movement builds connection and makes practice fun. Babies learn by watching!

6. Make It Playful

Turn crawling into an adventure — set up pillow tunnels, play peekaboo behind furniture, or crawl to music.

Chiropractic Insight: Crawling and Posture Development

From a postural and neurological perspective, crawling is the body’s first alignment training. Each movement strengthens spinal stability, integrates reflexes, and builds communication between the brain and body.

At Chiropatrick Chiropractic, we specialize in helping families understand these developmental building blocks. Through gentle chiropractic care and postural correction, we support your child’s natural growth and help every generation move from Pain to Posture™.

Final Thoughts

Every scoot, roll, or crawl matters. When you encourage your child to move freely on the floor, you’re doing more than helping them reach their next milestone — you’re laying the foundation for strength, posture, balance, and lifelong health.

We celebrate every stage of growth — because wellness begins long before that first step.

If you have questions about your child’s development or posture, schedule a visit at Chiropatrick Chiropractic in Falmouth, Maine — where we help families move from Pain to Posture™.

Phone: (207) 781-2003