What if we looked at Tummy Time differently?
For years we have been taught that babies need tummy time — that we must place them on their stomachs every day to help them build strength and reach developmental milestones.
But here is another perspective…
What if babies do not need us to “exercise” them?
What if they need us to give them the freedom and space to discover movement naturally?
A baby lying freely on their back is not “just lying there.” They are working hard. They are learning how their body moves. Every kick, stretch, turn, wiggle, and reach is helping build coordination, strength, and brain/body connections.
Many babies cry during tummy time. We often say, “They just don’t like it, but they need it.”
But what if that cry is communication?
What if they are telling us, “My body is not ready for this position yet”?
A baby-led approach does not mean we ignore development. It means we respect the natural process by giving babies:
✨ freedom to move
✨ time outside of restrictive containers
✨ opportunities to discover rolling and movement independently
✨ connection and interaction with their caregiver
This is not about saying one method is right and another is wrong. It is about staying curious, continuing to learn, and remembering that every baby is an individual.
As newborn care specialists, postpartum doulas, and caregivers, our job is not simply to follow what has always been done — our job is to observe, learn, and support the baby in front of us.
The more we learn, the more we grow. 💕
What are your thoughts? Have you seen babies thrive with a more natural, baby-led approach to movement?