Tummy Time Progress: What to Expect in Baby’s First 6 Months
How do you know Baby is making progress during Tummy Time?
Check these Tummy Time progress checkpoints to ensure baby is continuing on the right track! Scroll down to see the full progression!
If your baby is a little behind, it’s okay don't panic! Continue to do these exercises consistently, and you should see improvement. Every baby develops at their own pace, but it’s helpful to keep an eye on how things are going. If you have any concerns about your baby’s development, reach out to your healthcare provider. Early support can make a big difference.
For more help spotting early signs of delay or knowing when to ask for support:
👉 Early Detection and Early Intervention
👉What to Do If You Suspect a Delay?
Images all the way to 6 months infographic
Tummy Time at 2 Weeks: Building Strength from Day One
Able to turn their head to both sides and clear their nose from the surface
Try these Tummy Time Positions: Tummy-to-Tummy, Tummy Down Carry, and Lap Soothe positions
Start easing into short sessions on a firm floor surface
🎥 Watch 2 Week Tummy Time in Action
Pro Tip: Babies love being close to you! Tummy-to-Tummy is a great way to bond and help baby get used to tummy time.
1-Month Tummy Time: Tiny Sessions, Big Benefits
Turns head during Tummy Time from side to side equally
Tries to lift head up – even if it’s only for a 1-2 seconds
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Pro tip: Get down on the floor at baby’s eye level. Baby loves your face and voice! Make sure to switch sides!
2-Month Tummy Time: Watch Baby Start to Lift and Look Around!
While lying on tummy, lifts and holds head up to 45 degrees
Spends at least one minute in Tummy Time several times a day (5-10 times) without becoming upset
Spends at least 15-30 minutes of Tummy Time per day by 2 months of age
Majority of Tummy Time should be on the floor
Possibly tilting their head to one side*
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*Do you notice a consistent head tilt on one side or the other? Favoring one side may be a possible sign of positional torticollis.
🎥Watch 2 Month Tummy Time in Action!
Pro Tip: Face baby different directions in their crib each night to help develop neck muscles by turning a different direction to look at you each morning.
3-Month Tummy Time: Look, Lift, and Track - The World Is Coming Into View
Begins to put weight on forearms, with elbows behind their shoulders at a 45 degree angle
Able to lift head in the middle between 45 to 90 degrees, without tilting head to either side
Starts to visually track toys or rattles you move around during Tummy Time
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Pro Tip: Place baby tummy down on an exercise ball, holding their sides for support. Slowly move the ball toward and away from you, allowing baby to lift and hold their head more easily
4-Month Tummy Time: Push Up Proud - Forearms strong and Chest High
Lifts head up 90 degrees and keeps their head in the middle
Pushes up on forearms and lifts chest off floor. Elbows will be directly under their shoulders at a 90 degree angle or in front of shoulders.
Lifts head and moving neck while tracking toys, voices, and faces during Tummy Time
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Pro Tip: Use a mirror to make Tummy Time more fun! Babies love looking at themselves.
5-Month Tummy Time: From Push Up's to Playtime, Baby's Starting to Reach
Begins to push up on hands with straight arms
Starts to move hands forward to reach for toys that are placed nearby
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Pro Tip: Do baby push-ups. Place hands under baby’s chest and tummy, and use gentle lifting nudges to get baby to push up on hands for brief periods.
Just6-Month Tummy Time - Rolling, Reaching, and Ready to Explore
Self-directing Tummy Time
Pushes up on straight arms
Reaching and grabbing toys of different sizes while on tummy
Starting to pivot in a circle while on stomach (walking their hands in both directions)
Rolling from back to tummy and tummy to back
Starting to prefer being on their stomach. Being on their tummy allows them to play, move, and explore more easily.
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Pro Tip: Encourage baby to practice rolling and moving while on their tummy. Place toys outside of their reach to keep them motivated to move around!
