The time babies start to crawl varies, typically in the fifth month of baby development, they are all smiles and full of laughter. They concentrate on new discoveries and are typically mobile compared to previous months. Do not be unduly worried if your babies do not start crawling in the fifth month, it may happen a few weeks later or earlier. Remember each individual is different in their milestones. In some rare cases, they don't even crawl and just scoot around on their butt. All these are normal and the above only refers to the average.

There are some signs that you can observe to determine if your little ones will start crawling soon. You can see that once your babies start to rock back and forth using the momentum to move forward a little at a time. This is a good indication. Your baby would likely also have learned how to turn on their tummy and try to use their hands to push themselves upwards

Their legs may be in a kicking position and tries to kick the air, you could assist by putting your hands below their feet and help them move forward, soon they will get the idea. Another way of encouraging crawling would be to put their favorite toys slightly out of reach. Rest assured that they will be straining to get it.

During this phase of baby development, it is unlikely they have started on single or double syllables. Instead, they will be listening to you talk and trying to imitate your vowels and consonants. It will appear as mumblings or babbling with more specific phonics in it. It is a fantastic indication that they are learning, and fast! Do not at this time, talk to them in baby talk. Talk to them normally as though they understand and explain your surrounding to them, pointing out to them, trees, birds, leaves, etc...

There are several advancement in motor skills development that will occur for most babies during this month. Your baby will be very good at grabbing any smaller object that they spot with their eyes. Moving objects from one hand to the other may occur. Your young one may also learn how to push objects away that they do not like. Be careful when you put baby on the couch, changing table, or any surface several feet of the ground or floor. Your baby should be able to roll over in at least one direction (if not both), or be very close to doing so.

Claire Lerner, a child development specialist with Zero to Three says, "It's important to remember that while development tends to unfold in a typical progression - most babies crawl before they walk, make sounds before they say their first word - children develop at different rates and in different ways." Unless you are aware of some underlying medical problems or unless your child was born premature, you may not have to worry too much. However, that does not mean that you won't.

These are only some of the baby development stages during month four and five. To learn more about the various stages of baby development go to http://babiesdevelopments.com/

It is run and maintained by a group of nurses who is well verse in child care. If you find that some of your questions are not answered in the various blog posts. Feel free to e-mail your questions in. It also contains many other resources such as breast feeding and techniques in sleeping patterns and potty training among many others.