When Milo was a newborn, I remember feeling genuinely confused about tummy time. He would fuss almost immediately, and I found myself wondering if I was doing something wrong or if it was really that important.
With Ellie, I had been more relaxed about the whole thing, letting her spend time on her belly when it felt natural. But by the second baby, I started paying closer attention to why pediatricians kept bringing it up at every single well visit.
Here’s what I’ve come to understand: tummy time is one of those deceptively simple practices that actually does a tremendous amount of developmental heavy lifting. It looks like nothing much is happening, just a baby lying on their stomach, maybe lifting their head for a few seconds.
But underneath that wobbly little effort, muscles are strengthening, neural pathways are forming, and the groundwork for crawling, sitting, and eventually walking is being laid down.
What tummy time actually does for your baby’s body
When your baby spends time on their belly, they’re working against gravity in a way that back-lying simply doesn’t require. Those tiny neck muscles have to engage to lift and turn the head. The shoulders, arms, and core all get involved as your baby learns to push up, reach, and eventually pivot.
As noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, supervised tummy time during waking hours is essential for motor development and helps prevent flat spots on the back of the head, a condition called positional plagiocephaly.
Since the Back to Sleep campaign began in the 1990s to reduce SIDS risk, babies spend significantly more time on their backs. Tummy time became the necessary counterbalance.
Think of it as your baby’s first workout. Those few minutes of effort build the strength needed for every physical milestone ahead. Rolling over, sitting independently, crawling on hands and knees, pulling to stand. Each of these requires a strong neck, stable shoulders, and a solid core. Tummy time is where that foundation gets built, one wobbly head lift at a time.
The connection between tummy time and brain development
Physical development and cognitive development are deeply intertwined in infancy. When your baby pushes up during tummy time, they’re not just building muscle. They’re also developing spatial awareness, visual tracking, and the ability to coordinate movements on both sides of the body.
Being on the belly gives babies a completely different view of the world. They learn to track objects from side to side, focus on toys at varying distances, and begin understanding depth perception. This visual input, combined with the physical effort of moving, creates rich sensory experiences that wire the brain for learning.
Research from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development has shown that early motor experiences influence cognitive outcomes. Babies who develop strong motor skills tend to explore their environments more actively, which leads to more learning opportunities.
It’s a beautiful cascade effect, and tummy time is often where it begins.
How much tummy time does your baby actually need
This is the question I hear most often from other parents, and the answer is more flexible than you might expect. The general recommendation is to aim for a total of 30 to 60 minutes of tummy time per day by the time your baby is three months old. But here’s the key: that time can be broken up into very short sessions throughout the day.
In the early weeks, even two to three minutes at a time counts. Newborns tire quickly, and that’s completely normal. You might do a brief tummy time session after each diaper change, or lay your baby on your chest while you’re reclined on the couch. Both count.
The goal is frequency and consistency, not marathon sessions that leave everyone frustrated.
As your baby gets stronger, you can gradually extend the time. By three to four months, many babies can handle 10 to 20 minutes at a stretch if they’re engaged and comfortable. But every baby is different.
Some take to tummy time immediately while others protest loudly. Both responses are normal, and both babies will get there with patience and practice.
When your baby hates tummy time (and what to try)
Let’s be honest: a lot of babies do not enjoy tummy time, especially at first. Milo would cry within 30 seconds, and I felt terrible pushing through it. But I learned that there are ways to make it more tolerable, and that a little fussing doesn’t mean you should stop entirely.
First, try different positions. Laying your baby across your lap, belly down, while you gently pat their back can feel more secure than the floor.
Placing them on your chest while you recline counts as tummy time and adds the comfort of your warmth and heartbeat. A rolled towel under their chest can also help by giving a little lift and making it easier to see the world.
Timing matters too. A baby who just ate may feel uncomfortable on their belly, while a hungry or overtired baby will have no patience for the effort. Try tummy time when your baby is calm, alert, and has had a little time to digest. Getting down on the floor at their level, making eye contact, and talking or singing can also help them feel connected rather than abandoned.
If your baby truly struggles, consider whether there might be an underlying issue like reflux or torticollis. A quick conversation with your pediatrician can rule out anything that needs attention. But for most babies, the fussing is simply because tummy time is hard work. They build tolerance over time.
Creative ways to fit tummy time into your day
One thing that helped me was letting go of the idea that tummy time had to be a formal activity on a special mat with specific toys. Once I started thinking of it as something we could weave into everyday moments, it became much easier to hit those daily minutes without stress.
After diaper changes, I’d flip Milo onto his belly for a minute or two before getting him dressed. While Ellie played nearby, I’d lay him on a blanket in the living room where he could watch her. During babywearing breaks, I’d place him belly-down on the bed while I folded laundry beside him.
None of these felt like a big production, but they added up.
Outside time works beautifully too. A blanket spread on the grass gives your baby new textures to feel and interesting things to look at. The natural unevenness of the ground can even provide a little extra sensory input. Just make sure you’re in a shaded spot and the ground isn’t too hot or cold.
You can also incorporate tummy time into play. Place a small mirror in front of your baby so they can see their own face. Use high-contrast cards or colorful toys just out of reach to encourage them to lift and look. Lie down facing them and make silly sounds. These small additions transform tummy time from an exercise into a connection.
What happens if you skip tummy time
I want to be gentle here because parenting comes with enough guilt already. If you’ve been inconsistent with tummy time, your baby will likely still develop just fine. Babies are remarkably adaptable, and there are many paths to reaching motor milestones.
That said, babies who get very little tummy time may take longer to develop the strength needed for rolling, crawling, and sitting. They may also be more prone to flat spots on their heads, which can sometimes require intervention like a corrective helmet. These outcomes aren’t guaranteed, but they’re worth being aware of.
The good news is that it’s never too late to start. Even if your baby is already a few months old and hasn’t had much tummy time, you can begin now. Start with short, gentle sessions and build from there. Your baby’s muscles will catch up, and you’ll likely see progress faster than you expect.
Trusting the process and your baby’s pace
Every baby develops on their own timeline. Some love tummy time from day one and seem eager to push up and explore. Others resist it for weeks before suddenly deciding it’s not so bad. Both are normal, and both babies will eventually crawl, walk, and run.
What matters most is offering the opportunity consistently. A few minutes here and there, spread throughout the day, adds up to meaningful practice. Your baby is building strength and skills even when it doesn’t look like much is happening. Those tiny head lifts and wobbly arm pushes are real accomplishments.
Trust your instincts too. If something feels off, talk to your pediatrician. But if your baby is simply fussy about tummy time, know that you’re not doing anything wrong. Keep showing up, keep offering those moments on the belly, and celebrate the small wins along the way.
Closing thoughts
Tummy time is one of those early parenting practices that seems small but carries real weight. It builds the physical foundation your baby needs for every milestone ahead, supports brain development, and helps prevent issues that can arise from too much time on the back.
The beautiful thing is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. A few minutes after a diaper change, some time on your chest while you rest, a blanket on the grass while siblings play nearby. These simple moments add up to something meaningful.
So if your baby fusses, know that you’re not alone. If you’ve been inconsistent, know that you can start fresh today. And if tummy time feels like just another thing on the endless parenting to-do list, remember that it’s also an invitation to get down on the floor, meet your baby’s eyes, and watch them grow stronger right before you.
