What Do I Do If My Baby HATES Tummy Time?

I have heard time and time again from parents I work with, that their baby simpl does not like being on their tummy for tummy time. So, I’ve pulled together some of my own tips and tricks I’ve recommended to parents as well as some recommended by other professionals to provide you with a cohesive resource in this difficult but exciting time in your baby’s life.

So, What DO You Do If Baby Doesn’t Like Being on Their Tummy?

First things first, try not to stress out and take a deep breath! It’s completely normal for babies to cry when on their belly. They often need to work up to tolerating tummy time due to this position being difficult for them.

More often than not, the baby needs more stimulation in order to stay in this position such as a light up toy to look at, you flipping through a book with colorful pictures, use of a mirror, or having their sibling lie next to them to hold their attention. Another reason they may not be happy is that the tummy time is too long for them to sustain right now. Try working up from a minute, adding on each day and giving frequent belly breaks as needed.
Tummy time is often trial and error. One strategy may work for one child and not for another. However, I’m providing you with some of the best positions and tips in order to help you succeed with tummy time with your baby. Note what works and what doesn’t work so well for your unique bundle of joy.

Simply put, these are my five best tips:

1. Make tummy time part of their routine...not a time of day!
2. Play with positioning by having baby on your chest, lap, inclined on pillows, or in a tummy-down hold
3. Place colorful, interactive toys with your face at eye level to engage baby
4. Take this time to bond with baby instead of perceiving it as something that “has to get done”
5. Frequently get them out of the strollers, high chairs, and swings that they have become too use to

Why do we do tummy time?

Babies spend a lot of their time on their back whether that be during the day in their carseat or during sleep. However, spending time on their tummy is essential to their development in order to develop their neck, shoulder, and back muscles to meet future milestones such as rolling and crawling. Tummy time also helps develop hand eye coordination, head/neck control, strengthens the muscles of the tongue, jaw, and throat, and promotes healthy development of the sensory systems. Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends tummy time to prevent conditions such as flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly) and having a twisted neck (positional torticollis).

Tips & Positioning for a Successful Tummy Time

Create Tummy Moments Within Your Routine:

Make tummy “time” a routine, not a chore for you and your baby. You can link being on their tummy into things you do everyday. After changing or dressing them, roll them on their belly for a moment to play with a toy or even crinkle a clean diaper. This helps you remember to complete tummy time and makes it more familiar for your baby. Another way to connect and bond with you baby during tummy time is to put on their lotion while on their belly if this is something they enjoy.

Play with Baby at Eye Level:

Once the baby feels more comfortable completing tummy time while laying on you or during their routines, try completing on a playmat or blanket over a firm surface. Make sure you get down to their level! They love looking at your face and expressions. I tell parents to make the environment exciting! Place hanging toys, play music and complete tummy time next to your baby.

When do I start tummy time?

Start tummy time as soon after baby is born starting with a few minutes a day and working up to an hour a day by the time your baby is three months old completing in increments throughout their daily routine.

Switch Up Where You Complete Tummy Time

Just like adults, babies can become bored. Try tummy time in different places so that baby is getting different views throughout and can also experience different textures. For example, the feeling of being on the rug, down on the floor versus the feeling of being up on your bed comforter with a birds eye view of the room. You can also use the tummy-down carry hold when traveling from room to room as a fun way for baby to experience being tummy down!

What is the tummy down carry hold?

This position is a great alternative to carrying your baby upright on your shoulder all the time. The tummy-down carry position has you support the lower body with one arm under the baby’s chest through the legs while the other hand supports the baby’s head and shoulders.

Different Positions for a Tearless Tummy Time

Tummy to Tummy Position:

Try the tummy to tummy position with your baby on your chest and recline back slightly against the couch or pillows. This helps them get use to the effect gravity has on their body while still having the comfort of your body. Eventually, lie down flat on the carpet or bed with your baby fully supported on your chest. You can make this more entertaining by lifting them occasionally into the air with silly faces or singing a song.

Tummy on Lap Position:

Place your baby across your lap keeping the the knee under their chest higher than the knee under their legs so that they are up and feel supported. Make sure to stabilize them by placing your hand on their back for additional support. This position helps the baby prop themselves up while doing less of the work due to your knee inclining them. To make this position more challenging, make your knees level with each other so that your baby has to push up to see their surroundings.

Help by Putting Baby on an Incline:

If your baby is still struggling to get comfortable being on their belly, try to help them complete tummy time with added external supports like a rolled up towel or nursing pillow under their chest. This gives them the support they need while allowing them to not work so hard and have their hands free to play if they are inclined enough! Also, make sure you help them get their arms into a comfortable position so that they can prop up on elbows and see their environment.

Be Aware and Track Your Baby’s Tummy Time Milestones

Get Creative!

You don’t have to be crafty to be creative! There is also no need to buy a crazy amount of toys for your baby to make tummy time successful. Some of the things that infants respond to best are actually the simplest such as facial expressions, funny noises, and they LOVE seeing themselves in the mirror.

Fun Tummy Time Ideas:

• Place baby on an exercise ball on their tummy and rock back and forth while singing row row row your boat. This also provides them with wonderful vestibular (movement) input as well!
• Play peek a boo while rolling baby from their tummy to back
• Use scented objects for them to look at and touch such as flowers
• Make a sensory bag by putting ice, jello or paint in a plastic bag taped to the floor for them to experience colorful visual input, squishy texture and cold temperature
• Make a tummy time hula hoop with things you have around the house such as bubble wrap, aluminum foil, ribbon, pom poms, tissue paper etc and glue them to a hula hoop

What if my baby still cries when I implement these tips?

Don’t give up! Your baby may continue to struggle to like tummy time but with persistence, they can learn to like it. However, make sure that you stop tummy time as soon as your baby begins getting fussy and upset. You want to make the experience tearless and tolerable for baby! Don’t force tummy time upon them but DO make sure you’re respectful and responsive to their needs. Also, try to make a mental note of the positions and strategies that your baby seems to enjoy more than others to incorporate into daily routines.

The best advice I can give you is to link tummy time with the familiar activities they do every day such as dressing, diapering, and play AND tell you that babies are constantly learning. They can also LEARN to like tummy time. Using this information, you are on your way from your baby hating tummy time to TEACHING your baby how to like tummy time.

Best wishes!

Sarah