Trying to Crawl

lmbrandt

When we put our son down in his crib, before he falls asleep he will "scoot" around the crib for a  good 15-20+ minutes just about every time.  It looks like he is trying to crawl, but just doesn't have the strength or ability to do it yet.

He pushes up on his hands and knees/feet (looks like he is making a bridge), but his face mostly stays on the mattress, so he's scooting his face ALL over the sheets.  Well doing this for each sleep session is making his poor little face SO chapped!  His forehead and cheeks are bright red!  I keep putting lotion, Aquaphor, and Honest company ointments on his face after he wakes up to help soothe it.

Second time moms, or moms who have already gone through this...will he keep this up until he masters crawling?  I'm hoping not, because that could be a long way down the road still, his poor little face!  Or will this fizzle out just like when they obsess over another skill?

Thanks!

ElleMF728

They all learn differently.  DS2 just started crawling and is already into everything.  It took him about 2 weeks to figure it out (we still have a lot of face plants).  It took DS1 almost a month but he started a bit earlier.  The more practice during the day and the more tummy time the quicker the night time stuff will settle down.  The face down thing will probably pass quickly though, once he can get all the way up he will probably just do a lot of scooting and rocking in the crib. 

The best way I found to deal with it is just to let him go.  He tends to tire himself out and fall asleep or cry for me.  Then I'll go in and give him a nice pat if he needs it to fall asleep.  If I try to put him to sleep while he practices he just starts playing with me.