Tummy Time Tips for Newborns: Prevent Flat Spots and Torticollis with Tummy Time - Part 1
How to Prevent Flat Spots and Torticollis with Tummy Time - Part 1
Tummy time is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support your baby’s development, but it doesn’t look the same from day one. In the beginning, it’s less about long stretches on the floor and more about short, supported moments—on your chest, after a diaper change, or during playful floor time—that gradually build comfort and strength.
Along with side play and back play, tummy time helps protect your baby’s head shape, strengthen core muscles, and nourish the sensory systems, all while laying the foundation for major milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking. Variety and consistency matter far more than perfection, and even small daily moments add up to big developmental gains.
Bottom line: Tummy time is a progression, not a performance. From resting on your chest or lap to using a large physioball or play mat, each stage helps your baby build the strength and coordination needed for rolling, crawling, and beyond.
Learn tummy time tips for newborns to prevent flat spots and torticollis. Simple, safe exercises support your baby’s strength and development.
Parent Question: What Is Tummy Time and Why Does It Matter?
Tummy time is one of the simplest yet most powerful activities you can introduce to your newborn. By spending time on their stomach while awake and supervised, babies strengthen their muscles, develop coordination, and build sensory awareness — all foundations for rolling, crawling, and more.
In the very beginning (0–1 month), tummy time often looks like resting on your chest. Skin-to-skin contact is calming for your baby and helps them feel secure while beginning to practice lifting and turning their head. At this stage, it’s also okay to gently place your baby on their tummy for short, supported moments.
As your baby grows, try to roll them onto their stomach rather than always placing them directly there. This teaches movement patterns, gives them more body awareness, and helps transitions feel natural.
The benefits go far beyond muscle strength:
Prevents flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly): Spending too much time lying on their back can cause flat spots. Tummy time helps distribute pressure and promotes healthier head shaping.
Supports sensory and brain development: On their tummy, babies explore their environment from a new perspective—practicing head control, tracking with their eyes, and reaching with their hands.
Builds confidence and independence: These early skills lay the groundwork for milestones like rolling, sitting, and crawling.
When to Start Tummy Time
You don’t have to wait—tummy time can start from day one. For newborns, tummy time doesn’t have to be on the floor. Laying your baby on your chest while you recline is a safe, comforting introduction. As your baby grows, you can transition to a padded play mat on the floor.
Expert Advice: Rather than focusing on a fixed number, think of tummy, side, and back play as part of each wake window. As a newborn, start small — 1–2 minutes of chest to chest during each wake window or after each diaper change — and gradually increase as your baby grows stronger and more comfortable.
As the AAP says: “Play and interact with the baby while they are awake and on the tummy 2-3 times a day for a short time (3-5 minutes), increasing the amount of tummy time … Work up to 15 to 30 minutes each day by 7 weeks.”
By around 3 months, many babies can enjoy up to an hour total across the day — broken into short, playful sessions. Remember: consistency matters more than perfection.
Parent Question: When should I start tummy time with my newborn, and how long should it last?
As a newborn, start small — 1–2 minutes of chest to chest during each wake window or after each diaper change — and gradually increase as your baby grows stronger and more comfortable.
Tummy time changes a lot in the first months of life. What starts as simple, supported moments builds into stronger, more coordinated movements that prepare your baby for rolling, crawling, and beyond. Here’s what you can expect along the way:
First Few Weeks
Baby’s head rests to the side, often with support (your chest, your lap, or a soft blanket roll).
Skin-to-skin is perfect at this stage — it calms your baby and strengthens your bond.
Rotate your baby’s head to both sides to support symmetry and prevent flat spots.
Arms and elbows are tucked close to the trunk, with weight shifting slightly into the shoulders.
Why it matters: These tiny movements begin to strengthen the neck and upper body, providing the vestibular system with its first input and initiating gentle spinal rotation.
Around 1 Month
Baby may briefly lift their head and even turn side to side while still resting the nose on the surface.
Shoulder and upper back muscles are beginning to activate, laying the groundwork for head control.
By ~3 Months
Head lifts are stronger and last longer, with the head held higher off the surface.
Elbows move forward, in line with or slightly ahead of the shoulders.
Baby shifts weight side to side, especially when watching people or toys.
Increased forearm support makes head movements steadier, vision clearer, and play more engaging.
By ~6 Months
Baby can push up onto straight arms thanks to stronger shoulders, arms, hips, and spine.
Shifting weight side to side while propped on extended arms allows for reaching and exploring toys.
Many babies start pivoting in a circle while on their tummy to reach objects of interest.
~7–9 Months
For many babies, tummy time becomes a preferred position — they are stronger, more independent, and can interact more freely.
Pivoting and scooting on the belly are common, with some babies beginning to push onto hands and knees.
These skills naturally progress into crawling.
Remember: tummy time is not a rigid schedule, but a progression. Every lift, wiggle, and push builds the strength and coordination your baby will need for the next big milestone.
How to Make Tummy Time Fun
Consistency is key, but tummy time doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Here are tips to make it enjoyable for both you and your baby:
Use chest-to-chest snuggles to start gently.
Baby airplane hold: place baby on their tummy on your forearm with support along their back.
Provide extra support by placing a rolled towel under your baby’s chest, using a wedge, or gently resting them on a physioball.
Keep sessions short and repeat often.
Get face-to-face — smile, sing, and talk — this simple, powerful interaction is huge for building your baby’s early communication skills and social connection.
Incorporate black and white toys, mirrors, or teethers to encourage lifting and reaching.
Change locations to spark curiosity.
Add siblings to the mix to draw their attention upward.
Parent Question: What are the best ways to make tummy time fun for my baby?
The secret to tummy time success? Get down on their level and do it with them. Your face is your baby’s favorite toy! Add play, variety, siblings, and your presence — your baby will love engaging with you, which helps them tolerate tummy time longer and practice new skills.
Fun tummy time activity: newborn on his tummy looking at his sibling.
Tummy Time for Babies with Torticollis or Flat Spots
Some babies need extra support during tummy time—especially those with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) or flat head syndrome.
With these babies, tummy time becomes therapeutic. Modifications include:
Bodywork or manual therapy from a trained provider can ease tension and improve mobility, while positioning toys on the non-preferred side encourages balanced head turning.
Chest-to-chest tummy time to reduce strain.
Gentle stretches guided by a physical therapist.
Props (like a rolled towel) for comfort and symmetry.
Early Intervention Timeline for Flat Spots and Torticollis
Signs: head tilt after birth, difficulty feeding one side, always sleeping with head to one direction.
Action:
Place your baby with their head at opposite ends of the crib or bassinet to encourage turning both directions to see you.
During diaper changes, gently guide their head toward the less preferred side.
Incorporate tummy time in short, frequent sessions throughout the day.
Switch sides when holding, feeding, or reading to your baby so they get balanced movement and visual input.
Ask for early screening within the first 2–3 days of life.
If you notice a strong head preference or flattening, consult a pediatric physical therapist for support.
Signs: Persistent head tilt or worsening flatness.
Action: Seek a pediatric physical therapy referral for personalized strategies. The earlier the intervention, the quicker results typically.
Signs: Limited neck motion or facial asymmetry.
Action: Begin a comprehensive physical therapy plan.
Parent Question: Why is tummy time so important for my newborn?
Because it strengthens the foundation for every milestone while preventing flat spots and supporting sensory development. Tummy time, along with side play and back play, is a crucial part of development. Each position offers your newborn unique opportunities to strengthen their body, organize their nervous system, and lay the foundation for future milestones.
When your baby spends time on their tummy, they begin lifting their head and pushing up through their arms. These early movements strengthen the neck, shoulders, and core — the essential building blocks for rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. But tummy time isn’t the only important position! Side play encourages midline awareness and reaching across the body, while back play supports visual tracking, kicking, and hand-to-mouth exploration. Together, these positions give your baby a well-rounded foundation for strength, coordination, and connection.
Changing positions throughout the day helps protect your baby’s head shape and reduces the risk of flattening. Tummy time especially relieves constant pressure on the back of the skull, while also giving your baby’s eyes and vestibular system new perspectives that support balance and coordination.
Tummy time also nourishes the sensory systems. The gentle pressure on your baby’s chest and belly supports regulation and body awareness, while side and back play give opportunities to explore movement and space in different ways. This variety helps your baby’s nervous system process and organize input smoothly.
The beauty of tummy, side play, and back play is that they can be woven into everyday routines. A few minutes after a diaper change, on a parent’s chest, or during playful floor time all add up. What matters most is variety and consistency—not perfection.
At Movevery, we empower parents with the why behind these daily practices so you can feel confident supporting your baby’s milestones with simple, purposeful play.
“Dr. Nicole is Ah-mazing! She helped my son achieve his milestones and made me feel confident as a mom. He LOVED working with her. Dr. Nicole is very attentive to detail and follows up with very helpful information. She is the best. I am grateful.”
Why Parents Choose Movevery Pediatric Physical Therapy
At Movevery, we don’t just hand parents a list of tips—we walk alongside you. Families come to us because:
We specialize in pediatric physical therapy in Denver, CO.
We provide individualized plans that fit your baby’s unique needs.
We use holistic therapies like craniosacral therapy, craniosacral fascial therapy, and Total Motion Release Tots to release body tension then build symmetrical strength, support motor planning, and improve function.
We create a calm, playful space where babies feel safe to explore movement.
We send you home with practical activities so tummy time progress continues beyond our sessions.
Parent Question: How is Movevery different from other providers when it comes to tummy time support?
At Movevery, we combine hands-on therapy with purposeful play and parent education—so tummy time and all development feels less stressful and more joyful. We’re on your team. You are the expert in your child, and we come alongside as the detective when something feels off—so you can enjoy the big moments together.
At Movevery, tummy time and all development is never “just an exercise.” It’s about connection, confidence, and creating a foundation for lifelong development—with support that makes you feel seen, empowered, and part of the process every step of the way.
Our families often say it best:
“We would be lost without Movevery! Dr. Nicole is simply the most caring, compassionate, and thorough physical therapist. She’s so much more than that to us too, she feels like family! She is extremely well-versed in multiple disciplines which gives such well-rounded care in addition to always meeting our kiddo where she is at.”
“We’ve had such a wonderful experience working with Dr Nicole as our daughter’s physical therapist. From day one she has been incredibly kind, patient, and attentive—not just to her needs, but to us as parents navigating this journey. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a PT who truly goes above and beyond! Especially for little ones!”
Schedule your tummy time or development consultation with Movevery today and let’s turn tummy time struggles into milestones.
Tummy Time FAQs: Answers Every Parent Needs to Know
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It’s normal for babies to have preferences and mild asymmetries early on, but there are times when it’s important to get extra support. If you notice a persistent head tilt, a flat spot that isn’t improving, or limited movement when your baby tries to turn their head, it’s a good idea to reach out for guidance.
As a reminder, the American Physical Therapy Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines recommend that every newborn be screened for torticollis within the first 2–3 days of life. Early identification makes a big difference—because the earlier we address these concerns, the easier it is to support healthy head shape, neck mobility, and comfort.
At Movevery, we specialize in early identification and gentle interventions—helping babies thrive while giving parents peace of mind.
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If tummy time feels like a daily battle, it’s best to get extra support. Some babies resist at first, but sometimes crying or frustration signals something deeper—like muscle tightness, body tension, or digestive discomfort.
A pediatric physical therapist can be a detective—looking closely at your baby’s movement, posture, and comfort to uncover why tummy time feels hard. From there, we provide hands-on support to release tension, improve alignment, and build comfort.
At Movevery, we also equip parents with practical strategies and playful modifications so tummy time becomes less stressful and more joyful. Our goal is to make sure you leave each session feeling confident, supported, and ready to enjoy these moments of connection with your baby.
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Chest-to-chest or lap: Skin-to-skin is calming and supportive.
Flat, padded surfaces: Add a rolled towel under the chest or a wedge for support.
Physioball: For gentle rocking and interaction (with full supervision).
Always supervise and switch head direction to prevent flat spots.
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For babies with neck tightness:
Toys positioned on the non-preferred side encourage balanced head turning.
Place your baby with their head at opposite ends of the crib or bassinet to encourage turning both directions to look for you.
During diaper changes, place them so they need to turn their head towards their less preferred side to see you.
Incorporate short, frequent sessions of tummy time throughout the day or chest-to-chest tummy time reduces strain.
Switch sides when holding, feeding, or reading so your baby gets balanced movement and visual input.
Limit time in “containers” like bouncers, car seats, and swings to allow more free movement.
Gentle physical therapy-guided stretches, manual therapy, and props like rolled towels can help.
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Yes! Spending time on the tummy relieves pressure on the back of the skull, promoting healthy head shape and symmetry. Combine tummy, back, and side play for best results.
