Many parents look forward to the moment when their baby takes their first steps, as it is a wonderful experience that will show that their l...
At around 6 to 9 months of age, the baby is ready to crawl and thus begin to walk, however, if your baby still does not crawl, it is not necessarily a disease or abnormality. There is no scientific study that connects the lack of crawling with negative consequences. It is important for the baby to crawl, form neural connections, and thus develop brain skills.
According to Laura Raquel MartÃn Coarasa, an expert in neuropsychology, says that a baby who does not crawl may present some problem at the level of motor, visual, tactile, vestibular, or psychomotor development, or an immature neuropsychological development for his age. Therefore, these are some reasons why babies tend to be late when crawling are:
1. Flat feet
The structure of the feet of babies is cartilaginous, they have a fat pad on the inner edge of the feet that hides the arch, which can make it difficult for them to crawl. Most babies are born with flat feet, this happens because the bones and joints are flexible, however by six years of age the feet become less flexible by developing the arches.
Remember that it is important to take it to a specialist to provide a diagnosis, usually, they recommend the use of insoles, as well as walking barefoot on irregular terrain such as sand or walking on tiptoes and heels, as well as making circular movements with the tips from the feet.
2. Clubfoot
This is a birth defect, clubfoot means that one or both feet are pointed with the sole turned inward, it happens because the tissues that connect to the muscles are shorter than normal. It is a health problem that must be treated in time otherwise it can cause arthritis. But don't worry, there are many treatments in this regard, as well as specialists who will help your baby correct the problem so that she can crawl and walk.
Specialists usually use a series of escaroles and splints, which will be placed between one or two weeks after birth, then you will have to visit the specialist once a week to change it, the doctor makes gentle movements and stretches of the foot, which will allow you to correct the position.
3. Rush to walk
Some parents are often in a hurry for their baby to learn to walk faster, however, they stop stimulating them in the crawling phase. Experts warn that the movements of babies are essential for the correct evolution of the brain. For this reason, it is important to help them crawl before walking, respecting the normal development of each stage since there are parents who stimulate the baby a lot to remain standing.
For example, it is recommended to encourage them to place toys far from their reach so that they can be interested in taking them, as well as playing with them and helping them to take the correct position. Letting the baby roll and struggle on her own will help strengthen her muscles, making her crawl faster.
4. Metatarsus varus
It is a frequent deformity in newborn babies, where the foot is observed with a curved or inward part. It is a deviation of the forefoot towards the midline, with a homogeneous curve. If the condition is mild, it will be corrected after 3 months, avoiding any problem so that the baby can crawl.
The specialist will determine if the baby needs treatment, usually, the problem is corrected naturally, when the feet are flexible, move and stretch easily. But, when the foot is stiff, she may need stretching exercises, as well as possibly wearing a splint or orthopedic shoes, to keep the foot in the correct position.
5. Rigid muscle tone
The increase in muscle tone in babies is reflected between 2 to 6 months, this will allow greater freedom of movement, to crawl, stand up and walk. If the muscle tone is altered, it causes hypotonia (decreased muscle tone) is when the baby does not have the strength to lift his head and crawl, causing problems in his motor skills. The opposite of hypertonia (increased muscle tone) focused on the hands and feet, which causes changes in behavior such as stress.
What can you do to help your baby after taking him to a specialist?
Muscular hypertonia: Specialists recommend breathing exercises, relaxing massages throughout your body, making movements of all your joints, usually the baby is placed on a mat to be able to move each limb, as well as stimulate it at a sensory level with objects such as sponges, toys with soft bristles, among others.
Muscular hypotonia: Specialists assure that if the condition is mild, the baby will only require the help of physiotherapists, to work on specific skills such as walking or sitting, as well as working on their fine motor skills, even pediatricians will help parents to learn some therapies that they can do from home.
It is important that parents carefully observe the development of their baby, in order to have some timely treatment in case of any type of physical problem. Remember that crawling is important to stimulate the brain, so you will need to stimulate your baby to successfully complete this phase, just as you will later help him to walk.
