Is Crawling Using Right Leg A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014

Question: Hello Doctor,

My son will turn 6 months old on May 11. He is 70 cm tall and weighs 8.45 kgs. His all activities seems to be normal without any health issues. However I have a major concern with respect to his crawling activity.

He started turning on tummy when he was 3 months old. Then on-wards he is trying to crawl, but not yet succeeded.

Initially he used to cry a lot biting his fingers when he tries to crawl.

Now he can lift his upper part of the body+ stomach,also his waist +hip area without any issues.

But I have observed few things when he is on his tummy.

First thing is If I keep a toy in front of him when he is on tummy he tends to use only his right hand more. Otherwise he uses both the hands.

Second thing is when he tries to crawl instead of crawling he ends up in rolling over. I don't think he is purposely rolling over. I feel he is not able to balance. But he is not uncomfortable with this.

Third thing is he keeps kicking his legs when he trying to crawl, rather than pushing to ground. It looks like as if he is swimming.

Fourth thing is few days he crawled using his right leg and hand, but later he stopped that.

Do you feel any thing abnormal in these activities? If yes what kind of specialist I should consult.

Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is absolutely no cause for concern

Detailed Answer:
Namasthe
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX

Being a Parent myself and encountering many parents in my profession, I understand your concern and apprehension.
Let me reassure there is absolutely no cause for concern.
When we speak about any development milestone, like crawling there is no hard and fast rule how it is to be done by baby and what is the technique. Normally muscle controls occurs from top to bottom. Neck control first, chest, abdomen, hips , thighs and leg. So baby is able to control neck first before lifting chest from bed.
The baby learns to crawl by trial and error method, I would suggest you not to be judgemental about it.
The movements of the baby look absolutely fine and there is definitely no cause for concern. Every child starts learning by doing it differently. Right and left dominance of hand is not decided now, there is no reason to be worried about it.

Your baby is doing absolutely fine, enjoy and cherish every moments instead of having rule book.

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS, MS, MCH
Consultant Pediatric Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (54 minutes later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks for clarification. My son is able to hold his neck steady and also sits fine if I hold him. So with your mail explanation I would take things are in right direction as of now.

Thank you once again.

Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take Care

Detailed Answer:
Greetings

Dear Ms XXXXXXX

Nice to know you are relaxed now.
Take care
Wishing you a very happy and safe motherhood.

Do write to me anytime for any query.

Regards
Dr Deepak

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar