Bottom shuffling in young children
ছোট শিশুদের পাছায় ভর দিয়ে চলা
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Some young children don't crawl. Instead, they sit on their bottoms and move themselves around using their legs. This is called bottom shuffling.
Children do it in different ways. Some:
- lean to the side and use one arm and leg
- use both legs together
- bounce
Bottom shuffling is often seen in children who haven't spent time playing on their tummy.
Most children who bottom shuffle start walking later, typically anywhere from 18 to 24 months. They will often lift their legs up when you try to support them in standing.
Is it normal for young children to bottom shuffle?
Some children bottom shuffle instead of crawling, and that's normal. All children develop differently, and most children will crawl.
How fast a child develops depends on many things, including:
- temperament
- environment
- family history
- lack of movement opportunities (for example, if they have spent a long time in hospital)
Why do some young children bottom shuffle?
Children who bottom shuffle usually haven't tolerated being placed on their tummy. Because of this, the muscles in their arms, neck and back don't get the chance to grow strong. They then struggle to push themselves up, move around on their tummy or crawl. Many of them prefer to lie on their back, or to be held in a sitting position.
Once these children can sit on their own, they get to see and experience much more of the world around them. A child who bottom shuffles can move very quickly, and both hands are free to play with toys. So there is often little reason for them to pull up to stand on their feet or to use their arms to crawl.
How can I help my child?
Encourage tummy time, so your child can learn to take weight through their arms and shoulders. This helps build strength and stability in the upper body.
If your child doesn't like lying flat on the floor, there are a few things you can try:
- give them some support under their chest with a rolled up towel, or lay them across your legs
- sit on the sofa, lean back and lay your child on your chest (later, move on to lying on the floor with your child on your chest)
- encourage your child to shuffle over things on the floor, such as your legs or cushions, so that they have to bring their weight forward onto their arms
Once your child is better at taking weight through the upper body, you can start on activities that build strength and stability in the hips and legs:
- encourage your child to pull themselves up onto their knees, against you or a piece of furniture
- encourage your child to pull themselves up to stand, against you or a piece of furniture
Baby walkers and baby bouncers don't help children learn to stand or walk. They have also caused many serious accidents.
Talk to a doctor if:
- Your child has difficulty moving their arms or legs (for example, if they seem weak, floppy or stiff)
- They seem to use one side of their body more than the other
- They always fall to one side or backwards when they lose their balance
- Their feet look very different from each other when standing
- They can't put their feet flat on the ground when standing
- There is a significant delay in other areas of their development (for example, play and language, fine motor skills)
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