She Hated Tummy Time… I Thought She Was Just Stubborn

They say tummy time is important for developing muscles and can be started from birth — just 2 to 5 minutes a day. It helps build strength, supports motor development, and gives baby a whole new view of the world.

But Daisy hated it.

She would lie flat on her playmat and refuse to move. I assumed she was just being stubborn — maybe she simply didn’t enjoy it. I carried on trying.

As she got older, the tears started. She still wasn’t attempting to lift her head, except for the odd one or two times. I told myself she was just being headstrong. I had no idea that what I was seeing was low central tone.

A Referral — and a Little Relief

We had already been referred for physiotherapy by our lovely paediatrician, and when I got the phone call offering an appointment, I was relieved. Finally, I’d know for sure — was something really wrong, or was I overthinking it all again?

By this time, Daisy’s head still had a slight tilt to the side, like she couldn’t quite hold it up. She could sit, but only with support. It was now November 2023, and she was almost seven months old. Naturally, I was worried that things weren’t progressing as they should.

When the appointment finally came, Daisy did what Daisy does — she showed off. She propped herself up, lifted her head, smiled like she’d been doing it every day.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mammy. I love tummy time!”

The physiotherapist was kind and reassuring. After watching Daisy and examining her, she said there was no reason to think she wouldn’t go on to develop as expected. I left feeling such a sense of relief.

She would get there.

Progress (Even When It Feels Slow)

We got stuck into our home exercises. And although progress felt slow, we did see changes. I often went into appointments feeling deflated, but our physio always reassured me: progress is progress, no matter how small. And Daisy was moving forward.

She didn’t enjoy her physio appointments — she knew she had to work, and Daisy likes to do things her own way, in her own time. But we stuck with it.

A Setback — and a Slow Comeback

Then came Daisy’s hospital admission. After being admitted with pneumonia in June 2024, she was in hospital for almost a month in total. Her lung had collapsed. Needless to say, physio took a back seat.

Once she was off oxygen and doing a little better, I managed to do a few of the exercises with her on the ward — but she had fallen behind, and I was worried.

When she was discharged in July 2024 at 15 months old, she could sit independently, but hunched over in a little “frog” position. She wouldn’t even attempt the standing exercises. Every time I tried, she’d pull her legs up and curl them in. No weight on her feet. No interest.

The Small Steps That Matter

But after coming home, she started to pick up again. Slowly but surely, we saw progress. She began sitting a little straighter. Reaching for things — toys, her dummy, her drink.

And then in December… she crawled.

We were so happy.

A Surprise at Nursery

By February 2025, Daisy’s nursery asked if they could get in touch with the physiotherapy team to see if anything could be done during her time there. Once again, Daisy lit up — and stood up for the physiotherapist!

I was stunned. We’d only seen her stand on her own a few times before, and even then, not for long. But there she was, showing off again.

I continued her standing exercises at home, but it was the same as before — she’d lift her legs and refuse to bear weight. I worried that she’d never do it. But I’d seen her do it, so I knew she could.

I didn’t know what else to do except carry on.

Then, One Day…

Just a couple of days later — after one of my “wobbly” days — I left Daisy sitting on the sofa while I went to get her a drink.

When I came back… she wasn’t where I left her.

She had gotten off the sofa by herself — and was standing.

Albeit with the support of our footstool in front of the sofa — but either way, she was doing it. And she had done it herself.

What Progress Really Looks Like

Progress might not look like everyone else’s. It might come slowly, or arrive all at once — but it’s still progress.

If you’re in a similar place, hang in there. Trust your gut. Keep going. And don’t let the wobbles get the better of you.

I’m sharing our story because I know how hard it is to wait, wonder and worry. To Google “should a 15-month-old be standing on her own?”

If you’re feeling that way too — you’re not alone.