Clubfoot and Crawling: Supporting Your Baby's Development

Crawling is one of those milestones that parents eagerly await — and when your baby has clubfoot, it's natural to wonder if treatment will affect it. The reassuring answer: most babies with treated clubfoot crawl on time and some find wonderfully creative ways to get around. Here's what you need to know.

Do Clubfoot Babies Crawl Normally?

Yes. The vast majority of babies with treated clubfoot learn to crawl within the normal developmental window (typically 6-10 months). The Ponseti method corrects the foot position, and by the time most babies are ready to crawl, they're in the nighttime-only bracing phase — meaning their legs are completely free during the day.

Some things you might notice:

• Bottom shuffling — some clubfoot babies prefer to shuffle on their bottom rather than crawl on all fours. This is a normal variation (many babies without clubfoot do it too) and isn't a concern
• Commando crawling — pulling along on tummy with arms. Often appears before hands-and-knees crawling
• Asymmetric crawling — in unilateral clubfoot, you might notice your baby slightly favours one side. This usually evens out
• Delayed onset — some babies crawl a few weeks later than average, particularly if they had bilateral clubfoot. They catch up

Crawling During the Full-Time Brace Phase

During the first 3 months after casting, your baby wears the boots and bar 23 hours a day. Most babies aren't at crawling age yet during this phase (it usually starts around 2-3 months after birth), but if your baby is older or an early mover:

• Movement is still possible — babies wearing the bar can roll, pivot, and scoot. Some even commando-crawl with the bar on, using their arms to pull forward
• The bar connects the legs but doesn't prevent all movement. Babies are remarkably adaptable
• Use the brace-free hour (bath time) for unrestricted floor play
• Don't worry about "missing" the crawling window — motor development isn't a rigid timeline. Your baby will move when they're ready

Crawling During the Nighttime Brace Phase

Once your baby transitions to nighttime-only bracing (usually around 4-5 months of age), they have completely free legs during the day. At this point:

• Encourage floor play and tummy time to build the strength for crawling
• Place interesting toys just out of reach to motivate movement
• Create a safe space for exploration — baby-proofed floors with soft surfaces
• Let your baby figure out their own style — not all babies crawl on hands and knees, and that's fine

Encouraging Crawling: Practical Tips

Create Motivation

• Place favourite toys slightly beyond arm's reach
• Get down on the floor with your baby — they're more likely to move towards you
• Use tunnels, cushion obstacles, and textured surfaces to make floor play exciting
• Other children are powerful motivators — if there are siblings or friends around, babies often want to follow them

Build Strength

• Plenty of tummy time builds the arm, shoulder, and core strength needed for crawling
• Supported standing at furniture (when age-appropriate) builds leg strength
• Baby swimming or water play supports whole-body strength. Swimming with clubfoot

Don't Force It

• Some babies skip crawling entirely and go straight to walking — this is a normal variation
• Bottom shuffling is an effective way to get around and isn't a sign of a problem
• Every baby's timeline is different. Comparison with other babies (clubfoot or not) isn't helpful

When to Talk to Your Team

While most clubfoot babies develop on track, mention these to your health visitor or orthopaedic team:

• No interest in moving or exploring by 9-10 months
• Strongly favouring one side of the body
• Appearing to avoid putting weight through the affected foot
• The foot seems to be turning inward again (possible relapse)
• Distress during weight-bearing activities

These don't necessarily indicate a problem — but they're worth checking.

From Crawling to Walking

Crawling (or shuffling, or scooting) is the bridge to walking. Most babies with treated clubfoot take their first steps between 11 and 18 months — right on schedule. The strength and coordination built during the crawling phase directly supports this next milestone.

When do clubfoot babies start walking? and Clubfoot milestone tracker.

Every baby develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your child's motor development, speak to your health visitor or orthopaedic team. Last reviewed: February 2026.