My Baby Can't Lift Their Head During Tummy Time
The short answer
Most babies can lift their head 45 degrees during tummy time by 2 months and 90 degrees by 4 months. If your baby cannot lift their head at all during tummy time by 2 months, try shorter, more frequent sessions. If there is no improvement by 3 months, mention it to your pediatrician.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
Newborns may only briefly turn their head to the side during tummy time. Very little head lifting is expected at this age. Keep tummy time sessions short (1-2 minutes) and frequent. Placing your baby on your chest while reclined counts as tummy time and may be more enjoyable.
Your baby should begin lifting their head briefly during tummy time, eventually reaching about 45 degrees. If your baby seems to make no effort to lift their head, try enticing them with a toy or your face at their eye level. Some babies need more encouragement and practice than others.
Most babies can lift their head 45-90 degrees by this age and hold it up for increasingly longer periods. If your baby cannot lift their head at all by 3 months, discuss this with your pediatrician. It may indicate low muscle tone that can be addressed with specific exercises or physical therapy.
By 4 months, your baby should lift their head 90 degrees and push up on forearms during tummy time. If your baby still struggles to lift their head, evaluation is important. Early intervention with physical therapy can make a significant difference.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 2 months and briefly lifts their head during tummy time.
- Your baby hates tummy time but can lift their head when motivated.
- Your baby was premature and is on track for adjusted age.
- Head lifting is improving week by week.
- Your baby cannot lift their head at all during tummy time by 2-3 months.
- Your baby seems unusually floppy or weak during tummy time.
- Head lifting is not improving despite regular tummy time practice.
- Your baby was lifting their head and has stopped.
- Your baby seems to be getting weaker or floppier over time.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Has Delayed Head Control
Head control develops gradually over the first 4 months. Most babies can hold their head steady when held upright by 4 months. If your baby has significant head lag or cannot hold their head steady by 4 months, mention it to your pediatrician. It may indicate low muscle tone that can be addressed with exercises or therapy.
My Baby Won't Push Up on Arms During Tummy Time
Pushing up on arms during tummy time is an important milestone that typically develops between 2-4 months. This skill builds upper body strength needed for rolling, sitting, and crawling. If your baby is not pushing up by 4 months, mention it to your pediatrician. Many babies just need more tummy time practice.
Low Muscle Tone (Hypotonia)
Low muscle tone means your baby's muscles feel less firm or their body feels "floppy" when you hold them. While it can sometimes indicate an underlying condition, many babies with mildly low tone do very well with support and strengthening activities.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.