Why Does My Baby Crawl With One Leg Out? (Hitch Crawling Explained)
By Dr. Alli Chisholm, PT, DPT
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If you’ve ever watched your baby crawl and thought, “Hmm… something seems a little off here. Why are they crawling with one leg up?”—it’s actually more common than you might think.
And as the age-old saying goes, just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s typical! I can’t tell you how many parents have reached out to me saying, “My baby crawls with one leg out to the side,” or “She’s doing this weird drag crawl.” The questions that usually follow are along the lines of: Is this normal? Should I be worried? What do I do to fix it?
I totally understand—and I champion—when littles are able to move independently, however that may look. But if something is off, it’s important to optimize your little one’s movement as early as possible so it doesn’t interfere with future milestones.
Let’s break down this hitch-crawling thing (also called a “kickstand crawl” or “3-point crawl”) so you know how to best help your baby.
What Parents Call It vs. What Therapists Call It
Here’s the real talk: most parents don’t walk into my inbox saying, “My baby has a 3-point crawl.”
Instead, I hear words like:
“Janky crawl”
“One-legged crawl”
“Hitch crawl”
“Scoot crawl”
“My baby crawls with one leg out to the side”
“He crawls with one leg out like a kickstand”
On the professional side, pediatric PTs like me usually say 3-point crawl or asymmetrical crawling, with much of the literature referring to it as a “3-point crawl.” To explain further: when babies have both knees and both hands on the floor, that’s considered a 4-point crawl.
👉 For SEO purposes (so you can actually find this info when you’re up late Googling), I’m using both versions in this post—your words and the professional terms.
What is Hitch Crawling?
Hitch crawling is when your baby uses one knee while the other leg sticks out to the side with the foot planted, almost like a kickstand. They pull themselves forward using that “kickstand” leg plus their arms.
Sometimes, you’ll even see a version of this before “real” crawling shows up, especially during army crawling. A baby might prop up one arm and tuck the other while dragging one leg behind.
From the outside, it looks creative (and hey, babies are resourceful!). But clinically, it can be a sign of some underlying asymmetry—like tightness in the hips, trunk, or neck—that makes it easier to move in a lopsided way.
Why Symmetrical Crawling Matters
Here’s the thing: hitch crawling gets your baby moving (yay for independence!). But when babies crawl symmetrically on hands and knees—opposite arm and opposite leg working together—it lays down some pretty important building blocks:
Core strength + pelvic stability (needed for walking, climbing, and balance later on)
Upper body and hand strength (which even supports handwriting years down the road)
Visual development (crawling supports binocular vision—important for reading and depth perception)
Cross-body coordination (building connections between the two sides of the brain)
Even though the CDC controversially removed crawling from their milestone list, I can promise you—reciprocal, hands-and-knees crawling matters. It’s worth paying attention to how your baby is doing it.
Is Hitch Crawling Normal?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. A baby might hitch crawl briefly as they experiment with movement. If they’re otherwise meeting milestones, using both sides of their body in play, and eventually transition to a more symmetrical crawl—it can be just a phase.
But if it sticks around for more than a couple of weeks, or if you notice your baby always choosing one side no matter what motor skill they’re working on, it’s worth looking deeper. Hitch crawling can be a clue that your little one is compensating for tightness, weakness, or a history of things like:
Torticollis (neck tightness or a head preference)
Hip issues (tightness or weakness)
A flat spot (plagiocephaly)
Early asymmetry from infancy
When to Keep a Closer Eye On It
Some signs that hitch crawling deserves more attention:
Your baby always uses the same leg as a “kickstand”
They avoid putting weight through one knee or arm
They prefer scooting on their bottom and avoid hands-and-knees completely
They had a strong head turn or side preference earlier on
They’re delayed in other milestones (like not sitting independently by ~8 months or not trying to crawl by ~10 months)
👉 If you notice any of these, it doesn’t mean something is wrong—but it does mean it’s a good idea to get a professional set of eyes on your little one. (That’s exactly what I do in my 60-minute virtual pediatric wellness assessments.)
5 Exercises to Help With Hitch Crawling
These are general play ideas that I often use with families. They’re not a substitute for personalized care, but they can give you a starting point at home.
1. Tall Kneeling and Hands-and-Knees Rocking
Help your baby practice getting into a hands-and-knees or tall kneeling position with their knees aligned under their hips and hands on an elevated surface (like a low stool). From there, encourage gentle rocking forward and backward, or reaching for a toy. This builds core stability, hip strength, and helps both sides of the body work together.
2. Transitions In and Out of Hands-and-Knees
Practice moving in both directions—from sitting into hands-and-knees (to the left and right) and from hands-and-knees back into sitting. Babies often prefer one side, so repeating both builds balance, symmetry, and flexibility.
3. Climbing Over Obstacles
Set up small items for your baby to crawl over—like a Boppy pillow, a few throw pillows, or even your legs. These little challenges encourage weight-shifting and using both sides of the body evenly.
4. Ramp Crawling
Crawling up a gentle incline gives babies extra sensory feedback while strengthening arms, legs, and core. The Nugget Play Couch is my favorite tool for this (more on why below), but you can also stack couch cushions or pillows to create your own ramp.
5. Stair Climbing
With supervision, letting your baby climb a few low steps is fantastic for symmetry and strength. Start with just two to three steps and keep it playful and safe. The key here is encouraging them to lead with the opposite foot they usually use as a “kickstand,” so they practice moving both arms and legs together.
👉 Want more hands-on tips, or maybe your little one is still working on challenging themselves on their belly? Grab my free Tummy Time Confidence Guide with short video demos you can use today.
My Most Loved Product to Help With Crawling
One of my absolute favorite tools for encouraging crawling is the Nugget Play Couch. I’ve used ours daily with my own kids and in my practice, and even after three years of climbing, crawling, and fort-building—it’s still holding strong.
Here’s why I recommend it to families:
You can build ramps to encourage reciprocal crawling and strengthen arms and legs.
You can make soft “stairs” if you want to practice stair climbing but don’t feel comfortable using real stairs yet (or don’t have any at home).
You can create tunnels that motivate babies to crawl through and use both sides of their body by “forcing” them to get on their hands and knees.
And here’s the best part: the Nugget isn’t just a baby product you’ll use for a few months and then store in the attic. My 4- and 2-year-olds still use it every single day—building obstacle courses, forts, slides, and imaginative play setups. I even know families with kids in middle school who still love theirs.
So while it’s an investment, it’s one of the few products I can wholeheartedly say will grow with your child for years.
👉 You can check out the Nugget Play Couch here.
What If Hitch Crawling Doesn’t Go Away?
If your baby has been hitch crawling for more than a couple of months, or you’re noticing other motor differences, that’s your sign to check in with a pediatric PT.
Here’s why: the earlier we intervene, the easier it is to support your baby’s movement patterns before they become habits. We can work on strengthening, stretching, and play strategies tailored specifically to your little one’s needs.
That’s why I offer 60-minute virtual pediatric wellness assessments—so you can get clarity, reassurance, and a custom plan for your baby without waiting months for an in-person referral. You’ll walk away with:
A detailed movement analysis of your baby
Parent-friendly education (no confusing medical jargon)
A tailored home plan with exercises you can actually fit into your daily routine
💻 Ready to feel confident about your baby’s crawling? Book your 60-minute virtual assessment here.
Final Reassurance
Babies move in creative ways, and hitch crawling doesn’t automatically mean something’s wrong. But it is your baby’s way of communicating—and if you’re noticing uneven patterns, it’s always okay to pause and check in.
With a little awareness, some playful exercises, and support when needed, most babies transition beautifully into crawling, walking, and beyond.
You don’t have to wonder if you’re “overthinking it.” You’re simply being your baby’s best advocate. And I’m here to support you along the way.
👉 Book your virtual assessment if you’d like a professional set of eyes on your little one—or download my free Tummy Time Confidence Guide to get started with some ways to challenge your little during tummy time today.