“Swimming” in tummy time yet?

In the next month or two, your baby will likely start sitting up. In these months, they will still need lots of tummy time to build their core muscle strength for crawling—and later for walking.
Here are the different stages of tummy time and some ideas for making the most of them:
If your baby lifts their head and chest, but doesn’t yet put weight on their hands with elbows extended during tummy time (see the illustration below), here are some ways to play:

- Help your baby into tummy time with their arms bent, putting weight on their forearms.
- You can also put a towel under your baby or use a pillow to help prop up their body, so they start to put weight on their arms.
- As you sit on the floor, place your baby horizontally over your lap with their arms on the floor to one side and their legs on the other side; you can drop the wood ball in the Ball Drop Box from The Inspector Play Kit for them to watch as they put weight on their arms. Try to keep their arms forward and hips flat.
- To encourage your baby to push up during tummy time, blow bubbles, shake the rolling bell from The Charmer Play Kit, or put a favourite toy above their head.
If your baby is pushing up on their arms, but not yet pivoting and moving in circles when they’re on their tummy (the stage known as “swimming”), here are some ways to play:

- Start by putting your baby in a short-sleeved onesie on a smooth floor (rather than a rug or blanket) so they can use their skin against the floor to get a little grip.
- Place them on their belly with toys in a semicircle around them, just within reach when they pivot. Move the toys a little farther away after some play time to encourage more movement.
If your baby is “swimming” in tummy time, but can’t yet, capture a moving toy while on their belly, here are some ways to play:

- Put the Tummy Time Wobbler from The Senser Play Kit on a hard floor, just out of your baby’s reach.
- Bat the wobbler to show them how it rocks and moves.
- Eventually, they’ll be able to reach, bat, and capture the wobbler on their own 🙂
In this post

The Play Kits
The Play Kits by Lovevery are thoroughly tested, baby safe, eco-friendly and Montessori inspired. Give your child the best start with our stage-based play toy subscription boxes.
Learn more
The Play Gym
Lovevery’s award-winning, Montessori-inspired baby activity gym gives baby a whole year of play for their developing brain. See inside The Play Gym by Lovevery.
Learn morePosted in: 5 - 6 Months, The Play Gym, The Play Kits, Tummy Time, Gross Motor, Child Development
Keep reading

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 key elements to create a Montessori nursery
A Montessori-inspired nursery is simple and soothing. We've collected 7 of our favorite items here to help you design one that's right for your baby.

5 - 6 Months
“Swimming” in tummy time yet?
Your baby needs lots of tummy time to build core muscle strength for crawling. Here are the different stages of tummy time and ideas to make the most of them.

5 - 6 Months
Welcome to The Senser Play Kit for months 5-6
Watch Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph introduce the Senser Play Kit for months 5 and 6 of your baby's life.

5 - 6 Months
Developmental activities for babies 5 to 6 months old
Around 5-6 months, your baby is tasting, mouthing, and feeling every single thing they can get their hands on to discover and utilize all their senses.

5 - 6 Months
The big change in your baby’s vision
Your baby's eyesight changes rapidly in the first weeks of life. Here are four ways to help develop their vision.

5 - 6 Months
Mouthing and speech development (there’s a connection)
By mouthing objects, your baby builds a solid foundation for speech and sensory development. Find out what is safe for your baby to mouth.

5 - 6 Months
It’s magic! Why babies love our tissue box
The Magic Tissue Box is a great way for your baby to learn about emptying—and later filling—containers.

5 - 6 Months
Rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ (and everything you need to know about it)
Your baby will likely roll from belly to back much sooner than rolling from back to belly. Here are the average ranges for when babies start rolling.

5 - 6 Months
It can last less than a minute, but makes a big difference
Books expose your baby to new vocabulary, rhyming and rhythm, and new language structures. Here's what to expect from reading at this age.

5 - 6 Months
Supporting your new little sitter
Baby seats are convenient, but don't allow your baby to experience how their weight shifts when they tip over. Here's how to help your baby practice sitting up.

5 - 6 Months
Your baby’s number 1 favourite activity for their entire first year
Husband of Lovevery CEO Jessica Rolph demonstrates how to talk slowly during a house tour, a baby's favorite activity in their first year.

5 - 6 Months
Kicking play helps your baby learn to roll
Kicking play develops crucial motor skills. Learn why your baby kicks and some fun ways to encourage them to practice.

3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
5 fun ways to play with your baby from 4 weeks to 12 weeks old
Your 4- to 12-week old baby is fed, rested, and alert. But how do you play with them? Here are some easy ideas for baby’s first playtimes.