My son (10 months old) has been commando crawling for a bit over a month now, and doesn't get up on his knees. He has just lately if theres something in his way (such as a cushion) will crawl over it and as such get his knees & bottom up briefly then.

He did this yesterday when out at my sister's place, I commented to DS and said well done for getting up on his knees. My sister said to me, "don't you try to get him up on his knees at home". I know she's not trying to be nasty, and I'm not worried about my DS development because he is still crawling, but to those parents of babies who commando crawled, did you leave them to work out the next step of getting up on hands and knees to crawl "properly", or did you hold them up on their knees and really encourage them to get onto their hands and knees????

nah I didn't force DS, he commando crawled for a month or so then he just started getting on his hands and knees rocking then moved backwards then finally crawled properly.
They get there in their own time, their arms and legs have to be strong enough to support them so even by putting them on their hands and knees yourself if they don't have that strength it isn't going to make a difference IMO.

DS2 commando crawled, then he learnt to stand up and walk, then he learnt to crawl on all fours. We never encouraged him to crawl 'properly' as we knew he'd get it eventually. DD initially commando crawled and has now learnt to crawl on all fours. They are all very different!

However, l have heard that crawling on all fours is an important part of development so your DS will do it when he's ready.

DD commando crawled for ages, she eventually learnt to crawl in her own time

DS commando crawled for nearly 3 months before getting up on all fours.

I let him do it on his own time.

I'm definitely not worried, and won't be trying to get him to be getting up on all fours, I have just been letting him develop his motor skills as he needs to, I was just curious as to what everyone else did/thought.

After my sister said that to me I wondered if she tried to get her son up on all fours (I know that he commando crawled for a fair while)....

Thanks for your replies.

I'm definitely not worried, and won't be trying to get him to be getting up on all fours, I have just been letting him develop his motor skills as he needs to, I was just curious as to what everyone else did/thought.

After my sister said that to me I wondered if she tried to get her son up on all fours (I know that he commando crawled for a fair while)....

Thanks for your replies.

She probably did! Many parents do try and 'force' babies into reaching milestones...they think it's a competition. I'm glad your not one of those smile

my DS could crawl on hands and knees but prefered to commando crawl for months I saw him sometimes get on his hands and knees but after a few minutes just flopped on his belly and crawled I think some babies just prefer other ways to crawl

Our son figured out how to crawl correctly all on his own, dont force them, they are clever enough to do it themselves when they are ready.

my DD has just turned 10mo and she has been commando crawling for about a month now. I'm not forcing crawling on her, but sometimes I do prop her up on her hands and knees so she's familiar with the sensation. My mum works with a baby/child physio and she has given me some exercises and tips to do.
When my DD is on her knees she 'splays' out, and I've been told this is because she is super flexible and her hips aren't firm enough. Having said all that though, I've been told not to worry and she'll get there in her own time.