10/13/2026
Sidelying is so overlooked!
If your baby is not enjoying tummy time, try sidelying!
It’s a position change from looking at the ceiling!
You can see in this video how much bébé is working to maintain the side lying position. It’s wonderful control of both tummy and back muscles alternating to hold the position!
Baby will begin to explore more movement patterns from here!
Visually they can see more in front of them, bc when on their backs, they are looking at the ceiling unless turning head side to side. (8-12 inches is a nice distance for 3 month old eyes)
Did you know the TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex) is still encouraging your baby to curl up when on tummy and extend when on their back, til about 4-6 months?
Whereas, bébé on their side decreases these tonal influences & helps baby to develop without underlying reflex influences.
Sidelying is the ultimate core workout for a 3 month old! It will help develop core control needed to roll. It’s obvious in this video regarding the work bébé 👶🏻 is doing in their trunk muscles.
I must not forget the importance of teaching your bébé midline! Can you see bébé has their hands together in this video? This is huge! Hands together right in front of their nose/body is teaching bébé that they have a right and left side. It’s also teaching bébé how to center their control.
Try it! Your bébé might like it! They may need help at first just tolerating and maintaining the position. With a gentle hand on their side to hold them in place.
Hi 👋 I’m Jennifer or J-LA, a pedi PT, mom and grandma! Share this with your momma tribe, daddy tribe, friends and family! Let’s enjoy baby development together!
