Tummy Time: Making It Work for Your Baby

Tummy time can start the day you bring your new baby home from the hospital, and it doesn't have to mean the floor. Here's how to set it up for success and how to adapt it for reflux.

Start from day one, on an incline

Tummy time can start the day you bring your new baby home from the hospital, and it doesn't have to be on the floor. Early on in the newborn stage I love to just show parents how to get comfortable in their bed or on a couch and place their baby on their chest. Baby is inclined so they don't have to work so hard against gravity, they receive all the benefits of being close, and they get eye contact from their favorite toy (you).

The higher up you are, the less gravity your baby has to lift their head against. You can give extra support by tucking your baby's elbows underneath them to help them prop. As your baby gets older, try over a boppy, a towel, or your lap. And if you notice your baby keeping their head turned to only one side, gently rotate it to keep both sides of their neck stretched out.

Tummy time with a reflux baby

If your baby struggles with tummy time because of reflux, you're not alone. Lying completely flat can make that little tummy feel uncomfortable, which often leads to fussiness or spit-up, and that's where inclined tummy time can make a world of difference. A gentle incline helps keep milk in the belly instead of coming back up and reduces pressure on the chest and stomach, so baby actually enjoys it.

You can easily create a slight incline using things you already have at home: a yoga ball (hold baby securely and rock gently), across your knees in hooklying, on your chest while you lean back on the couch or bed, over a wedge or boppy, chest-to-chest in a baby wrap or carrier, or even over a dock-a-tot placed safely inside a stroller bassinet. Using a yoga ball also helps your baby build endurance for head lifting and gives them a soothing rocking motion that keeps them calm and happy, a win-win for strength and regulation. Remember, the goal is comfort and movement: when babies feel supported and content, they move more, and movement is where all that beautiful development begins.

Keep it simple: a rolled towel and you

Tummy time doesn't have to look fancy. It's not about timers or perfection, it's about connection and consistency. Start simple: face-to-face on the floor, elbows under shoulders, gentle support through the body, and eye contact plus your voice. Every few seconds adds up to a stronger, more confident baby.

A simple rolled-up towel can go a long way. Tuck it under your baby's bottom to lift the hips and bring hands and feet to midline for easier hand-to-foot play, or place it under the chest for an elevated tummy time boost that helps keep elbows tucked in so baby can push and lift with more success.