Baby Not Bearing Weight on Arms
The short answer
Bearing weight on the arms is a gradual skill that develops during the first 6 months. Babies first prop up on their forearms around 2 to 4 months, then progress to pushing up on extended arms by 5 to 6 months. Regular tummy time is the best way to build this strength, even if your baby protests at first.
By Age
What to expect by age
Very young babies are just beginning to build the upper body strength needed for weight bearing. During tummy time, they may briefly lift their head and turn it to the side, but they are not yet expected to prop up on their arms. Keep tummy time sessions short (3 to 5 minutes) and frequent throughout the day. Chest-to-chest tummy time on a parent counts and can be a gentle way to start.
Most babies begin propping up on their forearms during tummy time, lifting their head and chest off the surface. They may wobble and their arms may slide out to the sides at first. By 4 months, many babies can hold a steady forearm prop and look around. If your baby makes no effort to lift their head or prop on their arms during tummy time by 4 months, discuss this with your pediatrician.
Babies progress from forearm propping to pushing up on extended arms (sometimes called a "mini push-up"). This builds the shoulder and core strength needed for rolling, sitting, and eventually crawling. By 6 months, most babies can push up well on their hands. If your baby is still unable to prop on forearms by 5 months, or seems to have significant difficulty bearing weight through their arms, it is worth getting a professional assessment.
By this age, babies should be comfortable bearing weight through their arms and may be pivoting on their tummy, getting into a hands-and-knees position, or beginning to crawl. If your baby still cannot push up on extended arms or collapses when placed on their tummy, this may indicate low muscle tone or a strength concern that physical therapy could help address.
Weight bearing through the arms is well established in most babies by now and supports activities like crawling, pulling to stand, and playing on all fours. If your baby is significantly delayed in arm weight bearing at this stage, your pediatrician may refer you for an evaluation to determine whether occupational or physical therapy support would be beneficial.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 3 months and cannot yet prop up on their forearms, as this is a skill that is just beginning to develop.
- Your baby props on forearms briefly but gets tired quickly and puts their head down, which is normal as endurance builds over time.
- Your baby pushes up well on one arm but seems to favor one side slightly, as mild asymmetry is common in early development.
- Your baby protests tummy time and does not spend much time weight bearing on arms simply because they do not enjoy the position.
- Your baby is 4 to 5 months old and cannot prop up on their forearms at all during tummy time.
- Your baby seems to have very weak arms and cannot bear any weight through them even briefly.
- Your baby avoids tummy time entirely and becomes extremely distressed any time they are placed on their stomach.
- Your baby was previously pushing up on their arms and has lost this ability, as regression in motor skills requires prompt medical evaluation.
- Your baby has no head control and cannot lift their head at all during tummy time by 4 months, especially if combined with overall low muscle tone.
Sources
Related Resources
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Curls Their Toes
Toe curling is very common in babies and is usually caused by the plantar grasp reflex, which is a normal newborn reflex that causes toes to curl when the sole of the foot is touched. This reflex typically fades by 9-12 months. Occasional toe curling during standing or walking is also normal as babies figure out their balance. Persistent, tight toe curling past 12 months may warrant a mention to your pediatrician.
My Baby Favors One Leg
Babies should use both legs roughly equally when kicking, crawling, and eventually walking. If your baby consistently favors one leg or seems to avoid using the other, it is worth having your pediatrician take a look. The cause is often something simple and treatable, like a minor hip or muscle issue, but early evaluation helps ensure the best outcome.
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby Has Jerky Movements
Newborns and young babies often have jerky, uncoordinated movements because their nervous systems are still developing. What looks like random flailing is actually your baby learning how their body works. These movements typically become smoother and more controlled by 3-4 months as motor skills mature.
Baby Not Bringing Hands to Midline
Bringing hands to midline - the center of the body - is an important early motor milestone that typically develops between 3 and 4 months. Before this, babies tend to keep their hands to their sides or near their face. Once midline play develops, you will see your baby clasping their hands together, reaching for toys with both hands, and bringing objects to their mouth. This skill lays the foundation for many later abilities like transferring objects between hands and self-feeding.