Tummy Time Guide for 4 to 6-Month-Old Babies
Mar 04, 2023
As a parent, it's only natural to have many questions about our kids. This is especially true when it comes to tummy time and understanding what to expect at each stage.
I recently shared a post about how to do newborn tummy time. Today, I'm back with a tummy time guide for 4 to 6-month-old babies. With these tips and tricks tailored specifically to this age range, your baby will easily master this important skill. 
What Are the Benefits of Tummy Time?
Tummy time is an extremely beneficial exercise that helps babies develop many important skills.
For starters, it helps them build muscle strength and control. Since tummy time is a full-body exercise, tummy time helps to build strength in their arms, legs, booty, and neck.
Next, it gives them vital practice for more advanced skills like crawling, sitting up, and even walking further down the line. By practicing tummy time frequently, you are setting them up for success as they grow.
Tummy time is also known to stimulate cognitive development as it fosters eye-hand coordination and encourages exploration. As babies lift and drop toys, they are learning how to cause effects - something that helps with problem-solving later in life.
Finally, tummy time is a great way for parents to bond with their babies and introduce them to interactive playtime games. When parents take part in tummy time activities, they are helping to build trust and security in the relationship.
Even though tummy time can present some challenges at first, it is well worth the effort and provides great benefits for your baby's development.
Tummy Time Tips for 4 to 6-Month-Old Babies
Choose the Right Location
Now that your baby is a little older, it's time to transition from your chest to a firm surface like the floor when doing tummy time.
Why is the floor the best option? Think of tummy time like a modified plank (like when adults do yoga.) As your baby pushes into the ground, the ground pushes back.
It is important for babies to push through their arms when they lift their heads, so having a firm surface is essential to help support them.
Parents often make the mistake of putting babies on surfaces like a bed, couch, or dock-a-tot when practicing tummy time. When babies are on soft surfaces like these, they will sink into them.
When they can't access the correct muscles, they are forced to lift only their neck. Think of it as trying to do push-ups on a bean bag.
Putting your baby in the wrong location for tummy time will leave your baby feeling frustrated, so make sure they practice on a firm surface.
Ensure Correct Positioning
When it comes to tummy time, another essential component is making sure your baby is in the correct position. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your baby should easily be able to access the ground with his or her arms.
Babies should not be hanging over a Boppy Pillow with their arms dangling in front of them. This makes it hard for them to push against the ground and support themselves.
When your baby doesn’t have access to their arms, all they have is their head. They can’t tap into their back booty and leg muscles. This makes it hard to complete tummy time properly, and they will be unsuccessful.
Another common mistake that many parents make is allowing their baby to go to a Superman-style pose with their arms spread out by their sides. While this is not a bad pose perse, babies often get stuck in this awkward position. They start to struggle because they overextend their muscles, causing them to get tired fast.
It is important that you learn to position your baby properly and use appropriate supports that are not too big and not too small. You can also physically support your baby in many ways like under their shoulders and on their booties.
Practice at the Best Time
When it comes to tummy time, finding the right time to practice is key.
Tummy time should ideally be practiced three times a day during your baby's wake period. You want your baby active and alert, so they can put forth their best effort. When your baby is happy and engaged, he or she will be much more willing to participate.
Tummy time is a hard activity for babies, but it should not involve tears. It is important to be consistent with what we are offering and when we are offering it for babies to be successful with this important skill.
Many parents attempt tummy time when their baby is tired or hungry. When the baby cries, mom rushes in to save the day and automatically assumes the baby hates tummy time.
While there is no point in letting your baby cry through tummy time exercises, parents should learn to listen to their baby and understand the difference between a protest and a full-blown meltdown.
The duration of tummy time will vary from baby to baby, depending on their individual wake time. Just remember it is more important to focus on quality than quantity.
If you are interested in learning even more about the best tummy time techniques and practices, check out my Tummy Times Solution Course. Your baby will learn to love tummy time without the tears with my proven step-by-step process.
