The Back to Sleep campaign recommends that babies be given Tummy Time while awake. The Back to Sleep literature that I’ve seen does not get into details about how positioning your baby during awake time can also put pressure on the back of the head and lead mishaping of the back or side of the baby's head (positional cranial plagiocephaly).

If anybody knows of any awake time positioning handouts for parents out there that is true parent education and not part of a plug for a baby pillow, please post the link in the comments. If you post it, they will come! Since I published this, Erica commented below with a link to a great PDF that shows different ways to position your baby while awake and I've found another source of positioning information. So I'm going to work these resources into the rest of the series!

A newborn might briefly lift her head while propped on your shoulder, but she won't have any control. As early as one to two weeks old, your baby will start trying to lift and turn her head while on her tummy. A baby can begin holding her head up while she is propped at around 3 months old, and can hold her head up more securely around 5 to 6 months.

If you have a Preemie or Special Needs baby these milestones might happen later, but she still needs to get on her belly if medically permitted (Clara-Bear was allowed very limited Tummy Time until she was 10 months old).


Don't rely on potentially dangerous products to take pressure off the back of your baby's head while she is awake. Instead, change the way you position your baby to relieve that pressure while encouraging proper development.

This was originally intended to be published in one post as a part of Preemie Week, but I’ve decided to split it up into three. We’ll talk about solutions to common problems that can contribute to Flat Head syndrome. These problems pop up during Tummy Time, long days in the car seat, swing and bouncey seat use, and while feeding a baby.

One problem area by itself, like having a lifestyle that requires your baby to spend long blocks of time in a car seat, might not lead to Flat Head Syndrome. Examine your baby’s awake time for a combination of these problems. Use my solutions or create your own based on your baby's needs and personality to keep that pretty little head round.

The Problem: My Baby Hates Tummy Time

Clara-Bear tries to stop 4 week old Alan from escaping Tummy Time

The Solution: Start putting your baby on her belly when awake as early as possible, even as a newborn. Tummy time can be lying across your lap, with or without a pillow, or on your chest. The same thing can be accomplished by holding your baby’s chest against your shoulder, in kind of the traditional burping position. Lean back a little so baby can lean into you and you will be amazed by how quickly your baby’s neck and shoulder strength develops. It’s kind of sweet to rock with a drowsy baby on your shoulder or to rub her back as she’s laying on your lap. Move your baby from her tummy to her belly before she’s fully asleep to help prepare her to fall asleep on her own as she gets older.

2 1/2 week old Alan doing Time

Worried that tummy time will take away precious eye contact time with your newborn? Get on your tummy, face to face, and baby talk! Make sure the video camera is ready, you will want to capture how amazing it is to see your young baby try to turn her head and follow your voice and face. Mama, if you’re recovering from a c-section, then let this be a special time for baby to share with your partner until you’re ready to get on your tummy.

There are so many cool new tummy time toys out there, I am sick with jealousy of new mothers! You can see by the pictures that I was trying to make my own (wait until you see how I propped my babies, so primitive looking compared to the awesome products being made just 3 years later).

If your baby is a refluxer or has respiratory problems, try a tummy time toy that elevates the upper body or lay the baby on your chest or shoulder while you are sitting up or reclining. If the baby appears uncomfortable, even without spitting up, try waiting twenty to thirty minutes after a feed until your baby is ready for tummy time before eating. Experiment to figure out a good time and position combination that still gives your baby the necessary Tummy Time from an early age.

Creative positioning to help my 2 month old refluxer comfortably enjoy Tummy Time after eating

Crying is a baby’s primary form of communication. Do not assume that all crying is distress. Sometimes your baby is just making her opinion known. When my son was fighting sleeping in his crib or didn't want to be on his tummy, I would literally watch the clock and force myself to wait 1 or 2 more minutes before going to him. I started this to make it emotionally easier for me to begin teaching him patience, but it turned out it was often all the time he needed to realize I was not picking him up the second he asked. I was surprised when he would fall asleep or start playing while I was anxiously watching the clock. Soon, I was able to extend his waiting time to 3 minutes, etc., and I learned to judge better when he needed Mommy to step in or when he could try a little longer on his own.

Around two months, most babies can start to push up while holding the head at a 45 degree angle and will also begin to interact more. But don’t wait until then to start Tummy Time. The longer you wait to start, the greater the chance your baby will resist this position (even though some babies will still dislike it, for a variety of reasons).

My former 36 weeker, enjoying the view from his tummy at 5 weeks old - do you think he liked the pattern in that ugly couch?

As difficult as it is to watch, let a Tummy Time hater fight it for a few minutes before picking her up. She is still exercising important muscles needed to sit up, turn over, and crawl. She also has no pressure flattening the back of her head. Resist the impulse to "poor baby" or rescue her - try to distract her first. Approach Tummy Time as your baby’s introduction to Mommy Knows Best.

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