A Simple Tip For Adjusting Tummy Time

“What can I do for my 6–month old that hates tummy time, and immediately rolls off? I don’t want her to miss out on the benefits of tummy time but am at a total loss.”

ANSWER- This is SUCH a great and common question! The biggest thing to know is that at that age, and especially once they are able to roll off of their belly (ideally equally to both the right and left), we really don’t have to stress TOO much about them rolling off!

That being said, there are obviously so many pre-crawling and crawling benefits to being down and learning to move that way, so a quick tip to revamp tummy time and break up that pattern of discomfort/unhappiness is to try doing some assisted knee play against a cushion or crib mattress.

Place it on the floor with motivating toys on top, and have them kneel (knees should be underneath hips, and you can gently use the inside of your legs to keep their legs in that position as long as they’re content), and just let them play! Try that for a few minutes if they’re happy, for a few days, and then try building flat tummy time back in – that usually helps a bunch!

Either way, hang in there! It can be such a tough phase when they WANT to move, but may not physically be able to yet, but I promise it’s just a phase, and it’ll get better! Hope this helps!

WANT MORE?

For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.

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KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of three! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.