Tear-Free Tummy Time
One of the most common concerns we’ve been receiving calls about has been trouble with tummy time. Baby bawls the entire time, rolls out of it, or just will not pick up their head at all. I've walked alongside countless South Florida families working with their little ones to turn worries over this milestone into a playtime win. Here are my top recommendations to make tummy time smoother for you and your baby.
Positioning that Fosters Safety & Connection
Our approach is all about tuning into your baby's cues to co-create moments that build strength safely and gradually. If tummy time flat on the play mat is too much, try these modified positions first:
Heart-to-heart tummy time: Find some back support for yourself and recline comfortably with baby chest-down on your own chest. Being able to face you and hear your voice will encourage baby to try gentle head lifts.
Cozy lap incline: Drape them gently over your thighs and give them a soothing back rub or provide calming deep pressure if they need an extra touch of support.
Secure arm cradle: Hold your baby tummy-down along your forearm making sure to secure them with another hand for safety. Secure tummy-down along your forearm
These small tweaks build comfort into early tummy time through connection with you.
Tummy Tools: Supports for Development
It’s ideal to gradually have baby practice tummy time for longer periods of time, working up to an hour in total daily. The right toys and tools can make this process a lot smoother. Choose durable, non-toxic aids that grow with motor milestones. Here are my go to tools to bring when working with babies in their home:
Wedge/Foam Ramp: The gradual incline eases neck strain by making baby muscles not have to work so hard to lift their head up against gravity. Ultimately, you’ll want to work on slowly getting comfortable completely flat, but the ramp can be a great tool later for crawling!
Small Pillow or Boppy: Baby may find it easier and feel more stable with their chest and elbows propped up. This is also multi-functional, just make sure it’s not too high for your little one.
Mirrors and Black & White Images: The right tools keep your baby engaged is the key to a fun tummy time. The contrast of black-and-white patterns are easy for newborns to see and mirrors draw their gaze to encourage early head lifts and turns.
Developmentally Appropriate Toys: Songs, rattles, and musical toys can keep their attention to light up their world. Tummy time is an introduction to independent exploration. Make sure the toys are safe and match the skills your baby is working on, like visual tracking and reaching early on.
Building a Consistent Practice of Tummy Time
Start small! Begin with 1–3 minutes after a happy feed, and gradually work up to at least 20 minutes by 2 months. If they're fussy, pause for snuggles and try again soon. Notice all of the little milestones along the way: head turns by week 1, head lifts by month 1, propping on forearms by month 3, and more!
As your baby becomes more comfortable with tummy time, you can gradually ease them down to flat on a play mat for floor time. This is essential for them to get comfortable exploring their world and practicing more milestones. Our team is here to support your little one’s developmental journey. We love to see our Brave Babies spread their wings and fly! If you need extra support, request a one-on-one appointment or find a class!
