Prone Propping and Pushing Up

As your little one starts tolerating tummy time more and more they will use their arms to prop on and to eventually push up on. This is all building for higher level function such as crawling and getting into standing. It also helps to build their arm and core strength.

Now if your little one is like my guy, he seems to not want to push up, or prop on his forearms. He tends to go for the arms spread out to the side, or he tries to pull on the surface he is on. So, what can I do about it? In the video above I give a few ideas. Some of these ideas are:

• Use a therapy ball. You can change how difficult the task is to help to provide success. Moving them backwards so they are more upright is easier so they have less weight to support.
• Use a boppy. Same as the therapy ball it takes some of the effects of gravity away by propping them up and making them less horizontal
• Use your hands to help hold them in position while there is an engaging toy or book or person in front of them. You are giving them the external support they need to be successful, even if they are flat on the ground
• Roll them onto their stomach. Sometimes this tricks them into supporting their weight on their arms for a bit before they might collapse.

Anyway you can provide a little extra support and take away some of the gravity effects are going to be helpful! What are some ways you help your little ones with this skill?