Motor Skills & Play (0-3 Months)

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For concerns related to your baby’s health, development, or sleep, or your own physical or mental wellbeing, always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

In the first three months, your baby is quietly doing big developmental work: lifting their head, discovering their limbs, building strength in their neck, shoulders, core, and arms, and gaining awareness of the world around them. Some of the most effective support you can give is simple: safe tummy time, lots of interaction during wake periods, and not letting your baby spend most of their awake time in a carrier, bouncer, or other confining equipment. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends supervised, awake tummy time beginning soon after hospital discharge, building up to at least 15 to 30 minutes total per day by 7 weeks of age.¹ˑ² The AAP also advises limiting time in car seats, swings, bouncing seats, and strollers.³

0–3 Month Motor Milestones and Play Ideas

0–1 Month

• Arms and legs move in reflexive patterns — kicking, waving, startling. In the first few weeks, your baby’s arms and legs naturally stay bent and tucked close to their body, so you will not see much reaching toward the middle just yet.⁴
• Newborns naturally keep their fists clenched. Over the first four weeks, those tight little fists gradually start to soften into a more relaxed, lightly closed hand.⁵
• Play idea: Place your baby tummy-down on your chest (tummy-to-tummy) while you are reclined. Talk and make eye contact. Then lay them on a firm surface for brief tummy time sessions a few times a day. Research shows that babies can start benefiting from these kinds of movement and positioning experiences as early as 4 to 6 weeks old.⁶

1–2 Months

• By 2 months, most babies can hold their head up when on their tummy.⁷ It may still wobble and take a lot of effort, that is completely normal.
• Babies at this age are moving both arms and both legs and starting to open their hands briefly.⁷
• Their eyes are getting better at following movement.
• Play idea: During tummy time, place a bright toy slightly to one side so your baby lifts their head and turns toward it. Keep sessions short – a few minutes at a time, several times a day (frequency over duration). One study found that at least 15 minutes of daily tummy time at 2 months was linked to earlier head-lifting milestones.¹

2–3 Months

• Your baby is gaining better head control and may start to push up a little when on their tummy. Full pushing up onto elbows and forearms is a milestone most babies reach closer to 4 months.⁷
• Awake windows are gradually getting longer, and your baby may start engaging more with toys and textures.
• Play idea: Aim to build tummy time toward 15 to 30 minutes per day (added up across the whole day) by the end of this period if you are not already there.¹ˑ² Research shows that more tummy time leads to better development: at 2 months, babies who got 30 to 44 minutes per day scored higher on developmental assessments than those who got less than 15 minutes.⁸ Encourage reaching for objects and keep up lots of face-to-face time and talking.

Why Free Movement Matters — and What to Avoid

Baby gear like car seats, carriers, swings, and bouncers are useful and safe when used properly, but babies should not spend most of their awake time strapped into something that limits their movement. A study that followed babies over time found that more time spent restrained in equipment was linked to reaching motor milestones later, while more tummy time was consistently linked to stronger motor development.⁹ Another study found that when babies are placed in commercial products like bouncers and seats, the product does most of the work of holding them in position (especially for younger babies under 4 months) rather than the baby using their own muscles.¹⁰ The AAP recommends encouraging tummy time and opportunities for movement while limiting time in confining equipment.³

If your baby gets upset during tummy time, gently roll them out of the position and try again later when they are calm and alert. Some fussing is completely normal, it is hard work for new muscles. But if your baby is consistently very distressed or resistant, that can be a sign they need more support. If this happens often, consider talking with your pediatrician or reaching out to a pediatric occupational or physical therapist. They can help you and your baby find comfortable ways to build strength, settle, and enjoy playtime together.

Modify and Reach Out If Things Feel Different

If your baby was born early, feels unusually floppy, has a head tilt, consistently avoids tummy time, or seems unable to lift their head after 2 to 3 months, it is okay to modify: start with tummy time on your chest, then move to the floor when ready. A rolled towel under their chest can also help. One study found that babies with neck tightness (torticollis) who spent time on their tummy at least three times a day when awake had significantly stronger motor development than those who spent less time in that position.¹¹

If you notice any of the following, talk with your pediatrician and consider asking for a referral to a pediatric physical or occupational therapist:

• A persistent flat spot developing on the head. The skull is most vulnerable to flattening between 2 and 4 months of age¹²
• A persistent head tilt or strong preference for turning the head to one side, which could be torticollis. When physical therapy is started early (before 1 month of age), it is successful 98% of the time¹³
• Inability to hold the head up at all during tummy time by 3 months
• Lopsided movement – for example, always reaching with the same arm or kicking more with one leg. Babies should not show a dominant hand before 18 months; if they do, it may be a sign of a strength or tone difference on one side¹⁴
• A head that consistently falls back when your baby is pulled gently to sitting, stiff or unusual posturing, or reflexes that seem to stick around longer than expected¹⁴
• Milestones that seem to appear very early or in an unexpected order – for example, a baby who seems to roll over at 1 month by arching their back. This can sometimes be driven by strong reflexes or muscle tension rather than intentional movement¹⁴

Remember: every baby develops at their own pace. The goal is progress and engagement, not perfection.

Bottom Line

Give your baby lots of awake, supervised time to move, explore, lift, push, and reach. Use tummy time as a simple tool to build strength and coordination, and pair it with playful interaction, face-to-face moments, and toys that invite curiosity. Avoid leaving your baby strapped into seats or containers for long stretches when awake. A large review of the research found that tummy time was linked to stronger motor development, healthier weight, and a lower risk of head flattening.¹⁵ If you ever feel unsure or notice signs your baby is not progressing as you would expect, connect with your pediatrician or a pediatric physical or occupational therapist — early support makes a real difference.¹⁶

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For concerns related to your baby’s health, development, or sleep, or your own physical or mental wellbeing, always consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Every baby is different. Browse The Baby Collective directory to find the right specialist for your family.

References

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