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.
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By Age
What to expect by age
0-2 months
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.
2-4 months
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.
4-6 months
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.
6-9 months
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.
9-12 months
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
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Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
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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 Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.
Signs of Ataxia in Babies and Toddlers
Ataxia refers to wobbly, uncoordinated movements that result from problems with the cerebellum (the brain's coordination center). Signs include an unsteady, wide-based gait, difficulty with precise hand movements, and intention tremor (shaking that worsens when reaching for something). If you notice these signs, evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is important.