How can we encourage our baby to crawl?

My 8-month-old son has started sitting unsupported but he seems more interested in standing. We've tried placing objects just beyond his reach to encourage crawling. He is content with stretching, rolling, or pivoting on his tummy. Do you have any suggestions to get him crawling? He's a healthy breastfed baby who weighs 14 pounds, 5 ounces.

My question is, why are you concerned with getting him to crawl? A few years ago, a popular - though inaccurate - theory maintained that if babies did not crawl before they walked, they were more likely to have reading disabilities. The truth is that though many babies between 6 and 12 months will develop a traditional crawl, a great many of them never do. They find a way to get around by shuffling, rolling and moving themselves. One of my favourite patients, who turned out to be a brilliant girl, preferred to sit in a half-cross-legged position and shuffle herself backwards before she walked. Let your son explore his world any way he can. He will pull himself up and cruise around furniture, let go for a moment or two, and then, before you know it, will walk alone.