How Do I Make Tummy Time Fun?

So, you’ve found yourself in that infamous position that so many parents know all too well – trying everything you can to help your baby enjoy tummy time, but no matter what you do, they absolutely hate it.

Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone! Let me paint you the “typical” tummy time story…

You’ve spent nine long months waiting patiently to meet your beautiful bundle of baby goodness. You’ve chosen the cutest little outfits, bought the breast-pump, fallen in love with THE pram, decorated the nursery in your favourite Pinterest-inspired theme that you just had to have, and (despite what your partner said about that Ikea flat-pack marathon!) you’ve done your prep, ready to bring your baby into the world in your own incredible way.

Then comes that magical moment - you finally get to breathe in the newborn scent, soak in the love, and enjoy that well-deserved post-birth tea and toast; for those of us in the UK, nothing beats that buttered NHS toast after giving birth!

Before you know it, you’re being told you and baby are ready to go home. You take the obligatory photo of dad proudly carrying the car seat through those hospital doors, and you merrily head off into the newborn sunset.

That first week at home is a blur of cuddles, nappies, feeding, sleep deprivation (urgh) and figuring out this whole “new parent” thing. The midwife and health visitor pop round to check in – weighing baby, chatting about feeding, sleep, nappies, and all the important stuff. But somewhere in and around those visits, you start hearing about this thing called tummy time.

You’re told it’s important for your baby’s development – helping strengthen their neck, shoulders, back, and core muscles, preparing them for future milestones. Sounds simple enough, right? Just pop baby on their tummy and let them play. Easy.

Except… it turns out it's not so easy, and it seems that your baby has other ideas (and by God do they know their own mind!). The moment you place them on their tummy, they squirm, fuss, cry, and look at you like you’ve committed the ultimate betrayal. And suddenly, what seemed like a lovely bonding activity turns into a stressful daily battle.

If this is you, please don’t worry – you are not doing anything wrong. So many parents goes through this phase, and I promise there are ways to make tummy time easier, calmer, and (dare I say it) even enjoyable for both of you!

In this blog, we’ll dive into:

• Why tummy time is so important

• Common reasons babies resist it

• Simple ways to overcome the struggle

  
  

Why Tummy Time Really Matters

Tummy time is a foundational activity in your baby’s early development. It’s not just a physio buzzword - it’s a powerful tool to help your baby build the strength, coordination, and postural control they need for all future movement milestones.

Here’s exactly why it’s so important:

🧠 1. Builds Essential Muscle Strength

When your baby is on their tummy, they’re working against gravity to lift and turn their head, push through their arms, and eventually pivot or reach. This builds the postural muscles in the neck, shoulders, arms, chest, and upper back - all needed for head control, rolling, sitting, crawling, and beyond.

🔄 2. Encourages Motor Skill Progression

Think of motor development as a ladder. Tummy time lays the first few rungs. Without time spent developing strength and control in this position, babies may struggle with milestones like:

• Rolling (they need the strength to push through one arm and rotate the torso)

• Sitting (core and postural strength from tummy time directly supports sitting balance)

• Crawling (shoulder stability and trunk control are crucial)Tummy time helps them explore early movement patterns safely and with confidence.

  
  

👁️ 3. Boosts Sensory and Visual Development

Being on their tummy gives babies a new perspective. They learn to scan the environment from a different angle, track toys visually, and develop depth perception. It also provides tactile and vestibular input - key for sensory processing and body awareness.

🧠 4. Supports Brain-Body Connections

Every little push, lift, and shift during tummy time is feeding valuable information to the brain. These movements activate motor pathways and help with body mapping and coordination - forming the basis for more complex movement skills later.

💛 5. Reduces Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly)

Too much time spent on the back (while important for safe sleep) can lead to positional flattening of the head. Tummy time gives the back of the skull a break and reduces pressure points.

Common Tummy Time Struggles (And Why They Happen)

Honestly, this tummy time hatred is so much more common than people think. And there are a plethora of different reasons why your baby might be struggling to get into the tummy-down groove - side note: if ever I was to make a TikTok dance trend, that is definitely what I'd call it!

1. Reflux or tummy discomfort - If your baby struggles with reflux or frequent posseting, lying flat on their tummy can put pressure on their stomach and make that uncomfortable, especially after feeds.

2. Muscle or fascial tension - Sometimes babies have tightness through their neck, shoulders, or trunk (often from their position in the womb or birth). This can make it hard for them to lift their head or turn comfortably during tummy time.

3. Tonal differences - Babies with higher or lower muscle tone might find it trickier to control or support their movements in this position. It can feel tiring or unstable for them at first.

4. They don’t yet have the strength - In those early weeks, your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles are still developing, so holding their head up can feel like a workout.

5. It’s a new and strange perspective - Being face-down limits what they can see and how they can interact, which can feel frustrating until they learn to lift and look around.

6. Timing or environment - If tummy time happens when your baby is tired, hungry, or has a wet nappy, they’re not exactly going to be in the mood for exercise!

How to Make Tummy Time Easier (and More Enjoyable!)

As a physio who sees this in clinic every. single. day, here are my favourite physiotherapy-backed tips to ease the struggle:

💡 Start Small

Begin with just 1-2 minutes after every nappy change or nap. Build it into the routine rather than setting aside a big chunk of time.

💡 Use Your Body

Try tummy time on your chest or lap - it feels more secure and comforting. Eye contact and your familiar smell help calm your baby.

💡 Get Down to Their Level

Lie on the floor face-to-face and talk, sing, or smile. Your encouragement makes a world of difference.

💡 Add Props & Toys

Use mirrors, black-and-white cards, soft books, or favourite rattles placed just in front of your baby to keep their attention. I also love to use the Fisher Price Linkimal toys in clinic as they light up, sing and often move with lots of different things for baby to interact with (the penguin one being my fav) - I'm in no way affiliated to these guys by the way, just here to pass on the wisdom! :)

💡 Elevate Their Chest Slightly

Roll up a towel or blanket and place it under their chest with arms forward over the top - this gives them a little lift, takes away some of the gravitational pull and makes lifting their head easier.

💡 Give Them Some Shoulder Facilitation

Sometimes, believe it or not, all your baby needs is a little bit of physical support in just the right place. When you place your baby on their tummy, help them rest on their forearms with their elbows directly under their shoulders. Then, gently place your hands around the outside of their shoulders and down the upper arms – this helps stop their arms from splaying out to the sides. This small bit of support can make a huge difference! It gives them enough stability to focus on strengthening their neck muscles, instead of using their back, shoulders, and legs to try and lift themselves away from the floor.

Final Thoughts

Tummy time doesn’t have to be a daily battle, I promise. With a bit of consistency, a sprinkle of creativity, and lots of compassion (for both you and your baby!), you’ll help them build the strength they need for all those big milestones like rolling, crawling, and sitting.

Every baby is different – some love tummy time straight away, others need a little more time to warm up to it. And that’s totally okay.

Celebrate the tiny wins, take the pressure off, and if you ever feel stuck, reach out to a paediatric physio for a bit of personalised support and reassurance.

Now get out there and go smash it!