Tummy Time: From a First-Time Mom Who Stressed About It

As a first time Mama, tummy time felt like a test I was constantly failing.

Everyone said it was important. The therapist mentioned it. The baby books mentioned it. Social media made it look easy — smiling babies pushing up like tiny yoga pros.

Meanwhile, my baby would last about 30 seconds before dramatically face-planting and crying like I had betrayed her.

I remember sitting on the floor thinking, Why is this so hard?

If you’re there right now, I see you.

What It Felt Like in the Beginning

I tried everything.

I bought the cute mat. I set timers. Bought toys.

And still — fussing. Frustration. Tiny arms flailing.

What I didn’t understand at the time is that tummy time is genuinely hard work for babies. They’re lifting a heavy head with muscles they’ve barely used before. Of course they’re frustrated.

It wasn’t a sign I was doing it wrong. It was a sign she was learning.

What Helped (After a Lot of Trial and Error)

I stopped treating tummy time like a performance.

Instead of aiming for long stretches, I started aiming for tiny wins.

• One minute after a diaper change

• Laying her on my chest while I leaned back

• Getting on the floor so she could see my face

• Rolling up a small towel under his chest for support

  
  

Sometimes we only lasted 45 seconds. Sometimes two minutes. But we kept showing up. And slowly — very slowly — it got easier.

The Part No One Tells You

One day, without warning, she lifted her head higher than before.

Then a several weeks later, she rolled.

Now? At 13 months, she’s walking everywhere.

All those short, imperfect tummy time sessions added up.

Not because I did them perfectly. But because we kept trying.

If You’re in the Thick of It

If your baby fusses, you are not failing.

If you dread tummy time a little, you are not alone.

If you Google “how much tummy time is enough” at 2am, welcome to the club.

You don’t need hour-long sessions. In the beginning, even one or two minutes counts. A few short tries throughout the day are more than enough to build strength over time.

It doesn’t have to look Instagram-worthy. It just has to happen in small, steady ways.

From the Other Side of It

As a first-time mom, I worried about everything — milestones, strength, development, whether I was doing enough.

Now, with an active baby who never stops moving, I can tell you this gently:

The season where tummy time feels impossible doesn’t last forever.

You’re not behind. Your baby isn’t behind. You’re both just learning.

And one day you’ll look at your busy little mover and think,

Wow. We really did that.

xo, Mama A