Skip to main content

NewFolks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Try these great tips when baby hates tummy time

If your baby hates tummy time, don’t worry. There are many ways to get a baby to like tummy time, it’s just a matter of finding out the right strategy for your unique child.

Tummy time is when you place a baby on their belly so that they can work their core and neck muscles to get them ready for new activities like rolling over, sitting up, and crawling. Studies have shown that when tummy time isn’t as encouraged, babies are more likely not to crawl. They’ve also shown that babies who spend more time on their tummies crawl sooner. Tummy time is recommend by the WHO and has also been shown to improve gross motor skills and overall development and prevent flat head syndrome.

While many babies don’t like being put down and having to work out, these tips will help you coax a resistant baby into smiling through the recommended 15-60 minutes each day.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

How to get baby to like tummy time

Give them toys to reach for

Once your baby is a few months old, they’ll be able to track objects with their eyes and show interest in grasping at objects near them. Putting a toy in front of them when you put them on their stomach will distract them from the fact their muscles are working hard because they’ll be so interested in what’s in front of them. After a few months, they will start to use their feet to try to push themselves towards the toy as a precursor to crawling. Use toys that have high-contrast colors on them like black and white to maximize your baby’s interest. You can also hold and shake a toy in front of them to use the movement or sounds like a crinkly texture or a rattle to encourage them to look at the toy as they balance on their tummy.

Break up the time

Babies only need to do one or two minutes of tummy time at a time to start out, and they can work up to longer sessions as they get older. Don’t put an infant on the floor for half an hour right out of the gate. You can do two-minute sessions, then three minutes, then five. They never need to go longer than 10 minutes even when they’re older. Every minute on their tummies helps their strength, and you can do these sessions multiple times a day so they all add up to 15 or more minutes per day.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Do tummy time on you

Tummy time doesn’t have to be solo on the floor. Rest your baby on your legs or your own tummy and let them balance there. If they cry for you when you put them down, this will solve the problem. They’ll still be getting the same benefits of tummy time without leaving your side. It can also double as nice bonding time and they may not even notice they’re exercising. You can even put them on your shins with your legs bent as you lie on your back while you hold their hands – their first time playing airplane!

Get a good playmat

Instead of placing your baby on a thin blanket on the floor or directly on the carpet, give them an interesting and interactive playmat to lie on. Many have bright colors and flaps to grab, or different textures or noises to keep their interest. A mat is also a comfortable surface that makes the hard floor more tolerable. If the mat doesn’t have an unbreakable mirror surface on it, you can buy one separately to set up in front of their face so they are looking at their reflection.

Stay engaged with your baby

Instead of walking away after setting them down, sit in front of them to smile and talk while they do their work. You can sing their favorite song or read them a book. You’re their cheerleader in life, including tummy time, and your encouragement can help them through this activity. Whether they are on the floor or on you, your interaction with them is always their favorite way to be engaged over any toy.

Even if your baby doesn’t like tummy time, try these tips to make sure they still get this important building block to help them along with their development. You can make this a happy time for both of you with some adjustments.

Editors' Recommendations

Sarah Prager
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
Does every baby need a sleep sack? It’s complicated
How to help your baby sleep better
A baby in a sleep sack in their crib

Getting your baby to finally sleep through the night can feel like winning the lottery when you're a parent. When you find something that works and allows you and your baby to get a good night's sleep, you definitely want to stick with it. One item that some parents swear by to help their baby sleep better is a sleep sack. But, while this may work for some babies, others absolutely cannot stand them.

You may be wondering if you should use a sleep sack for your baby before you decide to invest in one. Our short answer is that it totally depends on your baby’s personality. Babies are pretty vocal about everything, and they will let you know pretty quickly if they enjoy being tucked into a sleep sack. We give you some of the pros and cons of sleep sacks to help you decide whether to buy one before you bring your baby home,

Read more
Is white noise bad for babies? It actually can be harmful
Find out if white noise is bad or if it's the helper you need for a good night's sleep
A white nose machine in a baby's bedroom.

Babies and not sleeping go together like peanut butter and jelly. Or like a zombie parent and a baby that won’t sleep. If your child just won’t go down without a fight, you've probably been told to try white noise by someone trying to help everyone get their rest. So, what is white noise exactly? And, more importantly, is white noise bad for baby's sensitive ears?

While not all bedtime noises are created equal, there are benefits from introducing white noise to your baby’s bedtime routine. Let's go over the basic information on this soothing sound of life and see if it could help your baby fall asleep easier.

Read more
When do babies play peekaboo and when should parents be concerned?
Ready for adorable games with your little one? Here's when to start the fun
A mother and young child playing peekaboo outside.

Peekaboo, I see you! The classic game of peekaboo teaches so much more than anyone could guess based on how simple it is to play. It's free, easy, and it builds your baby's brain up each time you play. But what if they're not interested? Does it matter if your little one never wants to play this adorable game? We'll go over when babies play peekaboo and when (and if) parents should worry if they don't show any signs of wanting to play the game.

Why should babies play peekaboo?
Babies gain a lot from the seemingly simple game. It's not only a game to play because it's so simple or because your baby doesn't need to talk to play it. There are plenty of upsides to this fan favorite.
Benefits your baby will see

Read more