In this episode of the Best for Baby Podcast, paediatric physiotherapist Lisa  guides you through her favourite, development-boosting activities for babies aged 6–9 months. This stage is a major turning point where babies begin to roll with purpose, build core strength, explore through movement, and prepare for crawling.

Lisa explains exactly what your baby should be able to do before starting these activities; talks you through baby physiotherapy exercises to support rolling, sitting, tummy play and transitions; and teaches you the stages of crawling in preparation for your baby to crawl. She also takes you through signs to look out for if your baby may need additional help.

If you've been wondering, "When do babies start crawling?", or "Do all babies crawl?", Lisa answers those questions in this episode.

⭐ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔ How to help your baby learn to roll with confidence
• Side-to-side rolling practice using playful cues
• How to help your baby learn to roll with a developmentally sound pattern

✔ How to help your baby learn to sit and move to side-sitting
• Why twisting and oblique engagement are essential
• How to encourage side-sitting without overwhelming your baby

✔ Activities to strengthen core, arms, and shoulders
• Pivoting, reaching and crossing the midline
• Assisted transitions into all-fours
• How to introduce weight-bearing safely

✔ Step-by-step guidance to prepare your baby for crawling
• Using sitting → side-sitting → all-fours transitions
• Why side-sitting is crucial for hip mobility and core stability
• Safe assistance techniques using your legs and hands

✔ What NOT to do
• Avoiding forcing standing too early
• Avoiding too much forward-only reaching (which encourages bottom-shuffling)
• Tummy-time devices and why your thigh is often better

🧡 Key Takeaway

Focus on playful, gentle, baby-led movement, especially twisting, reaching, and transitioning between positions. These activities build the foundation for crawling and smooth, confident development.

🔗 Resources Mentioned

• Lisa’s Head Turning Preference + Flat Head Course
• Previous developmental stage episodes: MS E 1 and E2
• Upcoming episode on crawling (next week!) MS E4

Connect with Lisa here!

For help on:

Baby Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly and Torticollis), click here!

Positional Talipes (Correctable Club Foot), click here!