pushes onto hands and knees rocking backward and forward

Your baby has been pushing themselves up onto their hands and knees. This has taken lots of concentration and practice.  

They are now beginning to rock whilst on all fours. This is the next step for them to master before taking the leap into crawling. You may see them do an inchworm move as they figure out the coordination of their limbs. The practice they are getting from rocking in this way is building lots of strength in the arms, and this strength will be imperative when they start to move. 

Whilst they are rocking, your baby is also learning about shifting weight on their arms and legs. They are learning to shift their weight not only forwards and backwards, but also side to side. They are learning to coordinate their upper and lower parts of the body, as well as their left and right sides. Both arms and legs gain strength from these rocking actions. Your baby is learning how to modify movements in order to come up with a way of moving [1] 

These rocking actions also support your baby’s visual development further. When they rock back and forth, their eyes begin to start shifting focus more naturally [2] Your baby will be working out near and far distances and this will help them when they embark on their first crawling movements.  

What next 

Your baby may try to lift their arms and move their legs in an attempt to crawl. They will be exploring the feeling of weight shift in the body and their hands. You may see your baby commando crawl, crawl on their hands or knees or create inchworm movements. 

References:

[1] K.E. Adolph, J. Rachwani, and J.E. Hoch (2018) Motor and Physical Development: Locomotion. Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, 2018, 1–17, New York University. Available online at Adolph Rachwani Hoch 2018 Motor and Physical Development Locomotionq.pdf - Google Drive 

[2] C. Hannaford (2005) Smart Moves, Why Learning is not all in your Head. Great River Books