I’ve always wondered how my kids’ knees have survived learning to crawl.  It just seems like it would be very uncomfortable.  Now that we have hardwood floors, I worry even more for this next little one.  I am therefore glad to see that there are many new products on the market to help pad the process a little bit.  I know, realistically, that we all learned to crawl, and we all survived it without injury, but as I parent, I want to spare my little one as much discomfort as possible.

Made by Snazzy Baby, these Crawling Knee Pads are available in a number of fun color combinations for both boys and girls. They are made from dive suit-quality Neoprene, and are adjustable to fit any little knee without slipping.  You can purchase a pair for $19.99 at MamasAndMunchkins.com.

What a great seating area for older children — but infants would also enjoy this Liloo Corner Stage Set by Wesco. Your little crawler can climb and roll all over these cushions and work out all of his energy in a safe environment (under Mom and/or Dad’s supervision, of course). As parents we would really like to have a wall-to-wall padded safe area for our youngsters, but this corner set will do for starters.

The set includes a Liloo Storage Bin which measures 14″H x 19″W x 19″D; 2 10″ H Liloo Square Pouffes, each of which measure 10″H x 19″W x 19″D; and 3 5″ H Square Liloo Pouffes, each of which measure 5″ H x 20″ W x 20″ D;  The fabric is specially coated to be hygienic and easily cleanable with soap and water. The quarter cube foam module is covered in a jersey-lined vinyl sewn with a durable nylon thread for improved softness and to prevent friction burns. The Square Pouffe has an anti-slip base with vinyl that meets California fire regulations.

You can purchase the Liloo Corner Stage Set for $365 at All Childrens Furniture.

Just a little extra protection for your young explorer - these comfortable elastic waistband crawling pants have reinforced knee pads. When my children were that age we always seemed to live in wall-to-wall carpeted homes so I wasn’t too concerned about hard surfaces on soft skin. But these days more parents are opting for wood or tile floors for allergy and hygienic related reasons.

So these padded crawling pants make a lot of sense and even come with extras: cushy neoprene inserts, soft, stretchable corduroy and a “binky pocket” for baby’s pacifier! The Bees Knees Pants, created by Tammany Atkinson for her own young son, were featured on NBC’s Today Show.

Bees Knees will donate a portion of all proceeds for these crawling pants to the Learning to Listen Foundation for children who are deaf. Available colors: Navy, Brown or Pink corduroy, Tan Twill Chino, and Denin. Sizes 6/12 months (16-22lbs) and 12/18 months (22-27 lbs). Price: $25 at recurrentdreams.com.

I read about these innovative pants after my youngest was already walking, but they seem like a great idea. They feature cushioned neoprene inserts that help shield babies’ knees as they learn to crawl. These seem like they would be especially beneficial if you have hardwood floors in your home. They come in a number of colors (although I think the orange is mighty cute) and in two sizes: 6-12 mos and 12-18 mos. You can buy a pair for $24.99 at rightstart.com. These pants were featured on the Today Show. Celebrity parents who have snapped them up for their little ones include Courteney Cox, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, and Angelina Jolie.