Hitch Crawling: What it is and how to correct it

Hitch crawling is the type of crawling that babies will sometimes do where the baby does not crawl with their knees under their hips and they instead will “hitch” one leg out of the side and crawl that way. Babies will do this because their core muscles are a bit weaker than what we want, so this is how they are able to compensate for it while still being mobile. It’s important to address this so that their core muscles do get stronger and allow for proper growth and acquisition of milestones as well as allowing muscles to develop in their hips that get stronger through reciprocal crawling.

[pattyr]

You described this so well; I’ll start these exercises ASAP with my little hitch crawler. Thank you!

[carolyneramirez]

Thank you so much in taking the time to go over these helpful exercises. My baby just turned 10 months and started hitch crawling. In the meantime, waiting for a physical therapy evaluation, I want to help him the most I can! I'm not sure where his muscle tone went wrong. I feel he hit every milestone on time. He even loved Tummy time since only a couple of months old. He would stay 30 min straight, multiple times a day. Prior to hitching, he would even go from lying flat facing up, all the way to sitting up (a huge sit up) all by himself 😯. He seems to have good core strength. He makes me so confused 🤷‍♀️. With crawling, I was concerned because he hadn't started on all fours. However, when he did just around his 10 month time, he started hitching.

[cheryldigital]

Our first born hitched all the way until 18 months (clearly we had no idea how detrimental it was), until he wasn't walking and started PT. He was diagnosed as low tone. So in addition to low tone, the hitching caused weakness along his entire left side-- since there was uneven weight-bearing and laterally flexing his trunk. He still does it because it's so engrained! To any parents reading my comment, please work on correcting NOW if you can, I wish so bad I could turn back the clock. Now our 7 month old JUST started to hitch too!!! Although she has normal tone, I am at least able to intervene early this time around, since now I know how bad it is!! TY for this video <3

[sugihartowibowo]

Thank you for the advice... Gonna do it with my baby later on... Really help first timer dad here

[Tanmay-elyk]

Thank you so much for this...we have shown a couple of paediatrician who said not to worry but we are worried as new parents and these techniques are really simple to do as well.. thanks a ton😊

[julie-annherklots]

My little one started crawling at 6 months and seemed to be doing great until she realized she could go faster by hitching. Hopefully these exercises will help her!

[keyesdm]

This was super helpful and informative! Thank you!

[lucyricky]

Thank you so much my little has always had issues using his core he has a 💯 head lol tummy time was very hard on his neck when he was younger and now we are having more problems from a weak core with hitching so we’re super excited to have found your very helpful video

[amberabeyta]

Really helpful information. Thank you!

[MsWyndmere]

thank you for this! my almost 10 month old has been asymmetrical crawling for almost a month and i’m getting a little worried 😅 will try these tips and exercises

[karmahLove]

Omg my baby does this!!! And he is 14 months old😍😍😍 thanks for the tip

[kaylas]

I have heard that sit ups are not a good exercise for little babies...

[Estes_Media]

This is so helpful, my child has been hitch crawling for 4 months. He us very used to this crawl and fusses everytime I corrrect him. How many times a dayor for how long should I be correcting him? He is really crawling all the time? Should I correct his position all day? When should I see a PT?

[lblincoe]

I've read that hitch crawling could potentially be an indicator of vision problems (which I've already suspected my daughter might have), in a case like that where there's an issue with vision, would the muscle weakness also still be a concern or would the problem be entirely owing to the vision impairment? Would these corrections still be applicable for a baby in that situation? Or would the issue just be expected to self correct once the vision is addressed?

[preetiprarthna]

Hiiii … I just got to see ur video and I have a concern … my baby has been crawling normal on all 2 arms and legs for the last 3 months … we shifted to the a new place where we have hardwood floors … he has been hitch crawling since we got to this new house ??? What cud be the reason for this change ??

[alcasadeprestamos]

Should we be worried about our chins if they hitch crawl still at 11 months?

[jackeelynn]

Hi! How often should we do this? My son is 11 months crawls like this and trying to walk

[HealingAspirationsWithAmani]

Can this be done on a child who isn't yet on hands and *knees*. i.e. they're creeping by only using 1 foot to push themselves forward?

[rebeccaashley]

My lass is just 6 months & she hasn’t quite started crawling yet cause she gets her leg stuck in front of her. So I’m not sure if it’s hitching or not she’s my 3rd but never had a problem with the other 2 doing that.
I keep getting worried she’s gonna break her leg or something cause she starts screaming after a few minutes of being in that position..

[rivkasamia]

What if she's been at it for almost two months and is now started to stand mostly pressing with the one leg? Ugh I feel so discouraged. I had no idea this was something to address immediately. I've seen a. Physical therapist and we are working on it but I can't help but feel that it won't be fixed and I'm worried for her potential uneven development. Will this still be affective if she's been at it for a couple months? Please help