Tummy Time: Pushing Up Through Arms

“I can not get my baby to push up through their arms during tummy time.

Is there anything else I can do?” 

Answer:
Pushing on forearms and hands during tummy time is an expected skill beginning around 4-5 months of age, BUT it can take time to see pushing high on hands, weight shifting and lifting one hand to play, and more! 

The GOLDEN activity that I recommend for this is playing with the height of toy placement around them. For example, if they are on their belly, try elevating their toy slightly higher than their eye level with head lifted. Vision is an excellent tool to use to drive motor output, because the eye position naturally encourages arm position. For example, when eye gaze is UPWARD, arms will EXTEND. When eye gaze is DOWNWARD, elbows will BEND. Using this natural pattern of movement by placing toys above their eye level will often quickly help them to learn to lift their head and extend their arms, which is a win win for everyone!

WANT MORE?

For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.

KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of two (soon to be three)! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.