My Baby Can't Lift Their Head During Tummy Time
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about can't lift their head during tummy time, here is what you need to know.
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 2 months and briefly lifts their head during tummy time.
- Call your doctor if: Your baby was lifting their head and has stopped.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC, NIH guidelines, 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. At 0-4 weeks, 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. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 2 months and briefly lifts their head during tummy time. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your baby was lifting their head and has stopped.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-4 weeks
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.
1-2 months
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.
2-4 months
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.
4-6 months
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 to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed can't lift their head during tummy time and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby cannot lift their head at all during tummy time by 2-3 months.
- Mention if your baby seems unusually floppy or weak during tummy time.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
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.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice can't lift their head during tummy time — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 2 months and briefly lifts their head during tummy time — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-4 weeks, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if your baby was lifting their head and has stopped.
Related Conditions
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.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is can't lift their head during tummy time normal?
When should I call the doctor about can't lift their head during tummy time?
When is can't lift their head during tummy time normal?
What causes can't lift their head during tummy time?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about can't lift their head during tummy time?
Is can't lift their head during tummy time normal at 0-4 weeks?
Is can't lift their head during tummy time normal at 1-2 months?
Should I go to the ER for can't lift their head during tummy time?
Does can't lift their head during tummy time go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Can't Lift Their Head During Tummy Time.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed can't lift their head during tummy time and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby cannot lift their head at all during tummy time by 2-3 months.
- Mention if your baby seems unusually floppy or weak during tummy time.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- 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.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your baby was lifting their head and has stopped.
- Your baby seems to be getting weaker or floppier over time.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of can't lift their head during tummy time are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your baby was lifting their head and has stopped.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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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.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.