How many minutes a day should 4-5 month old spend lying down on their back?

[Ellorie]

I know that we’re meant to promote rolling by touching their hands to their toes etc… but specifically, how many minutes per day does the baby need to be on their back in order to practise this skill?

Also, I know the Bumbo chairs aren’t recommended until a baby is six months, I also saw that it’s not recommended to sit the babies up on the floor (for example in between your legs), as it’s putting pressure on the spine. However I then saw an NHS physio document that says we should sit them up in between our legs, to help them practise holding their head straight. Which is correct and again - how many minutes a day should we spend in this pose?

With 'floor time', the more the better, really – it's a really good chance for baby to move and develop entirely under their own power. Do you have a baby gym so baby has things to reach for, kick, etc. to help keep them interested?

There are differing opinions on whether helping baby sit up is optimal, but I think it's hard to argue it's dangerous – people have been sitting babies on their knees for many, many generations. I'd just follow baby and circumstance on this one. I naturally sat mine on my lap on the train, in a café, etc., and then started sitting on the floor with them once they were reasonably close to sitting themselves and interested in playing in ways that required sitting up.

Baby 'positioners' like bumbo seats you need more caution because the seat won't adapt to baby's position, strength, etc. the way you will sitting with your baby and they restrict baby's movement more.

My babies the same age and when she's lying in her jungle gym or crib or pram she just practises rolling over herself. I never tickle her toes or anything. I help her practice sitting up by her forearms a few times a day because she enjoys it. When she does tummy time a couple times a day for half an hour I will practise rolling over fully with her by just supporting her back and front when she gets to her side - as she can only just get on her side at the moment by herself. As for sitting up she loves to be able to see what's going on around her so she typically sits on our laps and we support her with both hands under the armpits or one across her front, also supporting her by resting her back on our fronts.
Don't worry about how long your doing things for as long as you're doing them that's the main thing 🙂 a lot of the time I think these things just come naturally to them anyways!

also saw that it’s not recommended to sit the babies up on the floor (for example in between your legs), as it’s putting pressure on the spine.

Who said this? I think if there's any truth to this, it may depend on baby age. Maybe your baby is right age to be sitting supported.

Also, don't buy Bumbo or similar chairs, they are scam.

Also, is your baby born prematurely?