Tips for Tummy Time
If your baby is not showing enjoyment on the floor, use yourself as the "mat." Recline on a sofa or bed and place first on your chest, face-to-face. They will feel safer and more secure and be able to hear your heartbeat. Your child will be able to work thier neck and back muscles to look up at your face while feeling this tummy time is less of a chore.
When trying the floor again, a small, rolled-up towel or a nursing pillow (like a Boppy) can be placed under your baby’s chest and armpits. This slight incline takes some of the weight off their chest, making it much easier for them to lift their head and see the world, which reduces frustration. Ensure their arms are draped over the roll so their elbows are tucked under their shoulders.
Instead of aiming for a long 10-minute session, aim for 1–2 minutes several times a day. Frequent, short bursts help build muscle memory and strength without reaching the "point of no return" where the baby becomes overtired and distressed. Incorporate it into your routine by doing 60 seconds of tummy time after every diaper change.
Get down on the floor with them! Place a mirror or a high-contrast book in front of your child. Seeing their own reflection or your face at eye level is often the best distraction from the "work" they are doing. Placing a board book in a standing position (semi-circle) near a child's head creates a 180° visual area, creating a reason to lift their head to view.
Tips for Rolling Over
Start the motion: Gently help your baby get used to the feeling of rolling by guiding their body through the motion. You can do this by stabilizing their hips and guiding their torso.
Toy motivation: Place a favorite toy just out of reach to encourage your baby to turn their head, shift their weight, and reach for it, which can trigger a roll. It is best to have other items out of reach as little ones tend to go for another item that is close if they can reach it.
Help You Little One With One Arm: It is common for children learning to roll over to get stuck when the arm that is under them prevents the roll from being successful. Try gently pulling their arm above their head to free it, and then help them finish the roll by guiding their body to continue the motion.
Tips for Sitting Up
Instead of holding your baby’s chest or underarms, try supporting them at the hips or thighs while they sit on the floor. Holding a baby by the armpits does the work for them. Holding them at the hips stabilizes their base but forces their upper body and "core" to do the balancing. As your child gets steadier, move your hands from the hips to the thighs, and eventually just keep your hands hovering nearby.
When putting your baby in a supported sitting position, have them sit with their legs open and place their hands in front of them to help your little one learn to brace themself.
Place pillows or rolled-up blanket around so that if your child tips to the side, they are not all the way on the floor. Learning to push up from this position is easier than from all the way down to the floor. Once you have the supports in place, start with your child on their back, leaning on them. Put your fingers out to your child, and have them pull to sitting, providing as little support as needed. If they tip over while playing, place your fingers out again, helping your child get back upright.
To work on those core muscles they need, encourage your baby when they are on their back to touch their toes. You can try putting high-contract socks or foot rattles on your child, creating a reason for them to try to get their little feet. Next, try bicycling their legs and then letting them push their head against your hands. This helps build the lower abdominal and hip flexor strength required to stabilize the pelvis while sitting.
Tips for Crawling
Create a "Bridge" with Your Body: Place your child on their tummy on one side of your leg while you hold a favorite toy on the other side. This encourages them to lift their body to get over your leg, building the strength and coordination needed for crawling. This activity helps your child practice shifting their weight and moving from a horizontal to a more vertical position.
Use a "Prop" for Support: Place a rolled-up towel or a small pillow under your child's chest. This helps them stay in an all-fours position and makes it easier for them to balance. Once they are in this position, place an enticing toy just out of reach to motivate them to move forward.
Pivot and Reach: When your child is on their tummy, place a toy on each side of their body. This encourages them to pivot their body from side to side to grab the items. This action is a great precursor to crawling, as it strengthens their core and helps them learn how to shift their weight.
The "Tunnel" Method: Create a fun and engaging "tunnel" using a large cardboard box or by placing chairs close together and draping a blanket over them. Place a favorite toy or a parent at the end of the tunnel. This can motivate your child to move forward and get to the prize at the end.
Get on Their Level: The best way to teach your child how to crawl is to show them. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl with them. This not only models the movement but also makes the activity feel like a fun game.