How Much Tummy Time Do Babies Need at 4 Months?
Tummy time is an important activity that can help your baby reach developmental milestones. Not only does tummy time help with your child’s physical development, but it also is a great way to build connection through emotional development.
Read on for our guide to tummy time at 4 months.
Note: If you haven’t already, check out our tips for starting tummy time safely.
4-month-old tummy time guide
At 4 months, your baby may start to become a pro at holding their head up while on their tummy. You may also notice that they’re:
- Pushing up on their arms
- Turning their head from side to side more easily
- Tracking you with their eyes as you walk around the room
- Reaching for toys
As your baby gets older, try putting your baby on their belly more frequently to help with muscle development and reaching other milestones.
To practice tummy time at 4 months:
- Work toward a goal of 30 minutes of tummy time throughout the day.
- Make sure to break up the 30-minute goal into short sessions. Don’t expect your baby to get in 30 minutes all at once. Try multiple sessions throughout the day.
- Be flexible. Some tummy time sessions might last for 8 minutes while others are 4 minutes. This is OK!
- Help your baby enjoy being on their belly for longer periods of time by talking or singing to them, making silly faces, and playing with them and their toys.
- Practice tummy time when your baby is calm and content. For instance, try putting them on their belly after they wake up from a nap.
- Try to avoid tummy time right after your baby has eaten. Being on their tummy with a full belly may make your baby uncomfortable or fussy.
Tummy time tip: If your baby is trying to roll from their back to their tummy on their own, help them out by placing toys on the ground that they can reach for.
Is your baby nearly 6 months old? Check out our tummy time tips for 6-month-olds to learn what you can expect next.
