Learn How Your Baby's Tummy Time Skills Unfold
Here’s what you can expect to see as your baby's tummy time skills develop during the first 6 months (or so) of life.
0-1 months, or so.
In the first few days, you’ll notice:
Your baby is comfortable with either cheek down, and they can lift and turn their head briefly to either side.
Their knees are bent and tucked under their hips, and their arms are bent with hands near their shoulders.
They make pushing motions with their feet.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll notice:
Your baby’s legs begin to straighten and their arms begin to move farther away from their body.
2-3 months, or so.
They place their arms farther away from their body.
Their legs continue to straighten.
They may begin to press their hands down into the floor to push their shoulders very slightly off the floor.
They briefly lift their head up about 45°, usually with some bobbing.
3-4 months, or so.
Your baby can lift their head 45-90° and can hold without bobbing.
They can turn their lifted head to look in both directions.
Their elbows are most often placed under or in front of their shoulders.
They occasionally lift their shoulders and top of chest off the floor by pressing weight into their forearms.
Your baby may accidentally roll from tummy to side if they turn their head too far.
4-5 months, or so.
Your baby may begin rolling from tummy to back. Sometimes this comes before rolling onto their tummy, but not always.
They should be able to lift and hold their head steadily to 90°.
They can press up through their forearms to lift their upper chest. Soon, their chest remains lifted as they look down at their hands.
They may lift their arms and legs off the floor and appear to be swimming or flying.
They happily play with a toy with both hands. Followed by weight shift to either side to reach toy.
5-6 months.
Your baby will be very active in tummy time, reaching for objects that are outside their reach.
They begin pivoting clockwise and counterclockwise in a circle on their tummy to get to toys.
They may lift their chest off the floor as they press up through straight arms and open hands.
Your baby is pushing themselves backward on their belly using their arms.
They may begin to assume a push-up position with their belly off the floor.
If you're into this kind of granular breakdown of skills…
Then you'll really like “Meaningful Movement": A Parent’s Guide To Play”
P.S. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for skilled physical therapy intervention. While I am a physical therapist, I am not your child's physical therapist. If you have questions or concerns about your child's health and/or development, please contact your pediatrician.