Kendall’s Tummy Time Transformation
A month ago, tummy time felt like an impossible challenge. Today, I’m watching Kendall confidently lift his head, turn from side to side, and even practice rolling over with my gentle support. Sometimes the most amazing transformations happen when we’re patient, consistent, and willing to meet our babies where they are.
I’ll be honest – tummy time wasn’t love at first sight for us. Like many newborns, Kendall’s initial reaction to being placed on his belly was less than enthusiastic. But now, at 8 weeks old, he’s become a tummy time champion, and I couldn’t be more proud of how far we’ve both come on this journey.
📹 [Watch Kendall’s Tummy Time Progress on YouTube]
🤱 The Early Days: Building Foundation
Those first few weeks, tummy time sessions were brief – maybe 2-3 minutes at most before Kendall would get fussy. I learned quickly that timing was everything. Right after diaper changes when he was alert but not hungry, or about 30 minutes after feeding when he was content but not sleepy.
Interestingly, even from the very beginning, Kendall showed a natural preference for being on his tummy. Throughout many nights, he would sleep peacefully on my chest in the tummy position for hours at a time. There’s something so special about feeling his little body rise and fall with each breath, completely relaxed and content on my chest. I think this early comfort with the tummy position actually helped prepare him for formal tummy time sessions – his body was already familiar with the feeling of being belly-down, just in a different, more comforting context.
The key was starting small and being consistent. Even 1-2 minutes counted as a win in those early days. I would get down on his level, make eye contact, use animated facial expressions, and talk to him constantly. Sometimes I’d place a small mirror in front of him or use high-contrast toys to keep him engaged.
What worked for us:
- Short, frequent sessions rather than trying to push for longer periods
- Getting down to his eye level to provide encouragement and connection
- Using his alert, happy moments rather than fighting against his natural rhythms
- Celebrating every small milestone – holding his head up for 10 seconds, turning it to one side, staying calm for a full minute
💪 The Confidence-Building Magic
Around 6 weeks, something beautiful started happening. Kendall began to show genuine interest in tummy time. His neck strength improved dramatically, and he started lifting his head higher and for longer periods. But the real breakthrough came when I started helping him practice rolling movements.
Supported Rolling at 8 Weeks: This is where the magic happens for building confidence. With very gentle guidance, I help Kendall experience the motion of rolling from tummy to back. It’s not about forcing the movement, but about letting him feel what it’s like when his body moves in that way.
Here’s how we do it:
- Start in tummy time when he’s alert and comfortable
- Gently support his hip and shoulder on one side
- Slowly guide him through the rolling motion while talking him through it
- Let him complete the movement mostly on his own
- Celebrate the achievement with excitement and praise
The goal isn’t to make him roll independently yet – that typically happens around 3-4 months. Instead, it’s about familiarizing his body with the motion, building his confidence in movement, and strengthening the muscles he’ll need when he’s ready to do it solo.
🧠 The Incredible Benefits We’re Seeing
The transformation in Kendall through consistent tummy time has been remarkable:
Physical Development
- Incredible neck strength: He can lift his head confidently and hold it steady
- Shoulder stability: His upper body strength has improved dramatically
- Core engagement: You can see his little abs working during tummy time
- Coordination: The way he moves his arms and shifts his weight shows developing motor planning
Cognitive Growth
- Spatial awareness: He’s learning how his body moves in space
- Problem-solving: Watching him figure out how to lift his head higher or reach for a toy
- Visual development: The different perspective helps with depth perception and visual tracking
- Cause and effect: Understanding that his movements create results
Emotional Confidence
- Self-soothing: He’s learned to stay calm even when movement feels challenging
- Achievement recognition: You can see his pride when he accomplishes something new
- Trust building: Our supported rolling sessions have taught him that movement can be safe and fun
🌟 Why Supported Rolling Matters
When I gently help Kendall practice rolling movements, I’m not just working on physical skills – I’m building his confidence in his own body. Each supported roll teaches him:
- Movement is safe when done with care and support
- His body is capable of amazing things
- New positions can be comfortable and fun
- Trust in the process of learning and growing
It’s like giving him a preview of what’s coming next in his development. When he’s ready to roll independently (probably in the next month or so), his body will already be familiar with the sensation and sequence of movements.
📈 Our Current Routine
Now our tummy time sessions are 5-10 minutes, twice a day:
Morning Session (10:30 AM): After his feeding and before vitamins, when he’s most alert Afternoon Session (3:00 PM): During his active period, when he’s ready for more engaging activities
During each session, we incorporate:
- Free tummy time: Letting him work independently with toys and mirrors
- Supported movements: Gentle rolling practice when he seems ready
- Interactive play: Peek-a-boo, singing, and conversation at his level
- Gradual challenges: Placing toys slightly out of reach to encourage reaching and shifting
💡 Tips for Other Parents
If you’re struggling with tummy time, here’s what I’ve learned:
Start Small: Even 30 seconds counts in the beginning Follow Their Cues: Stop if they’re getting frustrated, try again later Make it Interactive: Your face is the most interesting toy they have Be Patient: Some babies take longer to enjoy it, and that’s perfectly normal Try Different Surfaces: Sometimes a change of location (playmat, bed, your chest) helps Use Props: Mirrors, toys, even playing music can make it more engaging
For Supported Rolling:
- Wait until they’re comfortable with basic tummy time
- Always move slowly and gently
- Talk them through what you’re doing
- Stop if they seem uncomfortable
- Remember it’s about familiarization, not forcing development
🎥 Sharing Our Journey
I decided to document Kendall’s tummy time progress on YouTube because I know how helpful it can be to see what these milestones actually look like. Every baby develops at their own pace, but seeing real examples can give parents realistic expectations and ideas for their own tummy time sessions.
Watching him in the video, I’m struck by how much confidence he’s gained. The little boy who used to fuss after two minutes is now engaging enthusiastically with tummy time, holding his head high, and trusting me completely as we practice new movements together.
🌈 Looking Forward
As we approach the 3-month mark, I’m excited to see how his skills continue to develop. Independent rolling is probably just around the corner, and I know all this foundation work we’re doing now is setting him up for success.
But more than the physical milestones, I love watching his personality shine through during these sessions. His determination, his curiosity, his little expressions of concentration and pride – these moments give me such insight into who he’s becoming.
Tummy time has become so much more than a developmental exercise. It’s our time to connect, to challenge each other, and to celebrate the amazing things his little body can do. Every session reminds me what an incredible privilege it is to witness and support his growth.
Currently watching Kendall sleep deeply on his side (something he began doing recently as well), occasionally breathing deeply but peacefully, probably tired from his activities today. These are the moments that make all the early challenges so worth it.
💪 How is tummy time going in your house? Share your experiences and questions in the comments – let’s support each other through these amazing early milestones! 💪


