“Every time I put my baby on their tummy, they cry.”
It’s one of the most common things parents tell us.
They’ve read that tummy time is important.
They’ve been told it helps with strength, development, rolling, crawling and preventing flat spots on the head.
Yet every attempt seems to end in frustration, tears, arching backwards, or a baby who simply refuses to tolerate it.
And naturally, many parents begin wondering:
“Am I doing something wrong?”
The good news is that you’re not alone.
While many babies gradually learn to enjoy tummy time, others appear to absolutely hate it. In our practice, it’s actually one of the common reasons parents bring their babies in for an assessment.
What many parents don’t realise is that sometimes tummy time resistance may simply be a developmental stage.
But other times, it can be a clue that something else is going on beneath the surface.
Why Is Tummy Time Important?
Tummy time is supervised time spent on the stomach while awake.
Research has consistently shown that tummy time is associated with improved gross motor development, strength, movement skills, and reduced likelihood of certain head shape concerns.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supervised tummy time from early infancy, gradually building duration as babies grow.
Tummy time helps babies develop:
- Neck strength
- Upper back strength
- Shoulder stability
- Core control
- Coordination
- Head control
- Rolling and crawling skills
So when a baby strongly resists tummy time, we often become curious about why.
Sometimes It Isn't Just "Disliking" Tummy Time
Imagine being asked to do a push-up while your neck feels stiff, one shoulder feels restricted, or your lower back feels uncomfortable.
You probably wouldn’t enjoy it either.
Babies don’t have the ability to explain what they’re feeling.
Instead, they communicate through:
- Crying
- Fussiness
- Arching backwards
- Avoiding certain positions
- Preferring one side
- Becoming unsettled during tummy time
This doesn’t automatically mean there is a problem.
However, it can sometimes indicate that further assessment may be worthwhile.
Neck Tension and Torticollis
One of the most common things we observe is tension through the neck.
Some babies develop a condition called congenital muscular torticollis, where there is a preference to tilt or rotate the head more to one side.
Research suggests this can influence tummy time tolerance, motor development and head shape.
Parents may notice:
- Their baby always looks one way
- Difficulty turning to one side
- A preference feeding on one side
- A flat spot developing on the head
- Frustration during tummy time
When a baby has difficulty comfortably lifting or rotating their head, tummy time can become much harder work.
Cranial Imbalances and Head Shape Changes
Another thing we frequently assess is the shape and movement of the skull.
A baby’s skull is designed to be soft and mouldable.
Sometimes we see:
- Flattening on one side of the head
- Head asymmetry
- Positional preferences
- Facial asymmetry
- Difficulty comfortably looking both directions
Research has found associations between tummy time, motor development and positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome).
If a baby prefers one side, tummy time can become more difficult because they may struggle to comfortably position themselves.
Shoulder and Upper Body Dysfunction
Many parents are surprised when we assess a baby’s shoulders.
But tummy time places significant demand on:
- The shoulders
- Upper back
- Rib cage
- Neck muscles
We occasionally see babies who appear uncomfortable bearing weight through one arm or who consistently collapse to one side.
Parents may notice:
- One arm reaching more than the other
- Difficulty pushing up
- Rolling only one way
- Poor tolerance for weight-bearing
These patterns don’t necessarily indicate anything serious, but they can sometimes influence how easily a baby engages with tummy time.
Lower Back and Spinal Tension
Another pattern we commonly observe is excessive arching.
Some babies seem to throw themselves backwards whenever tummy time begins.
Parents often describe them as:
“Looking like they’re doing a little backbend.”
Sometimes this may simply reflect normal developmental exploration.
Other times, we may find increased tension through the lower back, pelvis, hips, or surrounding muscles that could be contributing to discomfort in certain positions.
When babies feel more comfortable, they often find it easier to relax into tummy time and begin exploring movement.
What About Poor Muscle Tone?
Tummy time can also be challenging for babies with lower muscle tone or delayed strength development.
These babies may appear:
- Floppy
- Easily fatigued
- Struggling to lift their head
- Unable to maintain tummy time for long periods
Research has shown that increased tummy time is associated with improvements in gross motor development and movement skills.
The challenge is that babies who need tummy time the most are often the ones who find it hardest.
This is why gradual progression, support and appropriate assessment can be so valuable.
Can Birth Stress Play a Role?
This is another area many parents ask us about.
Birth is an incredible process.
Regardless of whether a baby is born naturally, via caesarean section, induction, vacuum assistance or forceps delivery, significant forces can be involved.
Research has identified associations between factors such as positioning in utero, assisted deliveries, congenital muscular torticollis and head shape changes.
While it is impossible to say that birth stress causes tummy time difficulties in every baby, it is one factor we consider when taking a thorough history.
Some of the questions we often ask include:
- Was labour particularly long?
- Was baby in an unusual position?
- Was vacuum or forceps assistance used?
- Was there difficulty rotating during birth?
- Was there a caesarean delivery after prolonged labour?
- Did feeding challenges appear early?
These pieces of information help us build a broader picture of how your baby may be adapting.
What We Look For During An Assessment
When babies come into our practice, we don’t simply look at tummy time.
We assess the whole picture.
Depending on the individual child, we may observe:
- Head shape
- Neck movement
- Side preferences
- Cranial symmetry
- Shoulder function
- Spinal movement
- Pelvic positioning
- Primitive reflexes
- Developmental milestones
- Feeding patterns
- Sleeping preferences
- Movement quality
Many parents are surprised by how interconnected everything can be.
Sometimes a baby presenting for tummy time concerns may also be experiencing:
- A head-turning preference
- Flat spots
- Feeding challenges
- Difficulty settling
- Delayed rolling
- Positional discomfort
- Favouring one side
How We Support Babies In Our Practice
Every baby is different.
For that reason, there is never a one-size-fits-all approach.
Depending on what we find during an assessment, our recommendations may include:
- Gentle chiropractic care
- Movement-based strategies
- Positioning advice
- Tummy time modifications
- Developmental support
- Home exercises
- Referral to other healthcare providers when appropriate
Our goal is not to “force” tummy time.
Our goal is to help babies become more comfortable, move more freely, and support their development in a way that is appropriate for them.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of caring for many babies whose parents initially told me:
“They absolutely hate tummy time.”
While every child responds differently, it is always rewarding to see babies gradually become more comfortable exploring movement, lifting their heads, interacting with their environment, and building confidence in their bodies.
If your baby hates tummy time, it doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong.
But it may be worth paying attention.
Sometimes babies simply need time to adapt.
Other times, resistance to tummy time may be associated with factors such as neck tension, positional preferences, cranial asymmetries, shoulder function, spinal tension, or developmental challenges.
If you have concerns about your baby’s comfort, movement patterns, head shape, or development, a thorough assessment can often provide reassurance, guidance, and a plan moving forward.
Because sometimes tummy time isn’t the problem.
Sometimes it’s your baby’s way of communicating that they need a little extra support.
References used in this article:
- American Academy of Pediatrics tummy time recommendations.
- Hewitt et al. Tummy Time and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review (2020).
- Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne Clinical Guideline: Congenital Torticollis.
- Sargent et al. Congenital Muscular Torticollis: Bridging the Gap Between Research and Clinical Practice (2019).
- Carson et al. Longitudinal associations between tummy time and infant motor development.
- Research on plagiocephaly, positional preference and tummy time.
