It is one of the earliest gaits learned by human infants,[1] and has similar features to four-limbed movement in other primates and in non-primate quadrupeds.

Even after taking their first unaided steps, most babies still crawl part of the time until they have mastered walking.

Bottom-shuffling babies sit on their bottoms and push themselves forward using their legs, and sometimes their hands, often in specially reinforced trousers.

This is the first gait most humans learn, and is mainly used during early childhood, or when looking for something on the floor or under low relief.

It is similar to a crab walk in that the body locomotes in a supine posture, but the arms are in shoulder flexion alongside the head.

At the same time the baby develops arm strength to lift their chests, thereby helping forward momentum.

Crabwalking builds triceps endurance[4] and arm and leg strength, and is a recommended exercise of various school athletic departments and soccer organizations, such as USA football.

Its feet-first orientation ensures a low center of mass to prevent tumbling, while the inverted posture allows one to see where they're going.