Can't Find First Gear

So, Baby Brother is crawling....he just can't find first gear. We're stuck in neutral or reverse. He's trying very hard to get that crankshaft in the right direction; the focus on his face is clear. However, when trying to get something, he finds himself just a little bit farther away each time he starts to crawl. He doesn't get frustrated, though....at least until he's backed himself into a corner and can't go anywhere anymore. Then he whimpers until I place him in the middle of the room so he can try again. And try he does. Still moving in reverse or stuck in the middle just trying to find that first gear. I'll bet he has it all straightened out around his 8th month.