Early intervention plays a vital role in nurturing the motor development of infants, especially those born prematurely, who experienced a traumatic birth, or who show signs of developmental delay. Early motor development in infants lays the foundation for movement, play, and overall growth.
The Best Positions for Early Motor Development in Infants
Through simple, intentional strategies incorporated into daily routines, we can help babies build the foundational skills they need for movement, play, and overall development.
By encouraging various positions whilst carrying and playing with your baby, we can promote quality movement patterns and help babies develop strength, coordination, and control across their bodies.
Carry Positions to Support Early Motor Development in Infants
The way you carry your baby can have a meaningful impact on early motor development for infants, especially when it comes to developing head control and body awareness.
- Tummy-Down Carry: If your baby is just learning to lift their head or is still building tolerance for tummy time, try carrying them face-down along your forearm (sometimes called the “football hold”). Adjust the angle of the carry to suit your baby’s ability. Holding your baby with their head higher than their bottom makes it easier for them to lift their head, while gradually lowering the angle challenges their neck and trunk muscles to grow stronger as they resist against gravity.
- Tucked Ball Carry: For babies just beginning to gain head control, carrying them in a flexed, tucked position can be especially helpful to prevent excessive arching backwards. Gently support their body with their chin tucked toward their chest, hands together at midline, and hips and knees bent. This position helps build control in flexion (curling forward), which is essential for balancing the extensor (straightening) muscles they’ll use for rolling, sitting, and crawling later on. This also encourages them to bring their hands to midline and develop an awareness for their upper limbs.
Play Positions to Foster Early Motor Development in Babies
Playtime is more than fun—it’s a chance to develop essential movement skills. Using a variety of play positions helps babies strengthen their head, trunk, and limb muscles in meaningful ways.
- Back Lying with Support: Lying on their back with gentle support encourages babies to engage their flexor muscles. Using rolled towels, blankets, or small pillows, position your baby so their shoulders are slightly forward and their hips are bent. This allows their hands to come together in midline and reach for their knees or nearby toys—important for early coordination. As they grow stronger, gradually reduce the external support so they do more of the work themselves.
- Side-Lying Play: Place a small pillow or rolled towel behind your baby’s back to support them in a side-lying position. This helps bring their arms forward and encourages reaching across the body, an important skill for rolling and coordinated arm movement.
- Side-lying also reduces the intensity of gravity, making it easier for babies to engage their muscles without becoming overly fatigued.
- Tummy Time with Support: Many babies initially resist tummy time because it requires a lot of effort to lift their head. Ease them into it by using a wedge, an inclined mattress, or a firm couch cushion to reduce the challenge of gravity. In this position, babies can practice lifting their head and strengthening the back, shoulder, and neck muscles needed for future milestones like sitting, crawling, and standing.
- Propping on their elbows also helps develop shoulder stability and prepares them for crawling.
The Takeaway
By thoughtfully integrating supportive positions into everyday routines—during carrying, diaper changes, play, or winding down time—you’re giving your baby countless opportunities to build strength and confidence in their movement.
Consistency, encouragement, and a little creativity go a long way in helping babies meet their motor milestones with joy and success.
About the Author
Zoe Duong is a pediatric physical therapist who’s always had a heart for helping children reach their full potential. Growing up as the eldest of over 20 cousins and with a background in artistic gymnastics, Zoe understands firsthand how movement builds confidence and strength. After gaining experience working with acutely unwell children during her new-grad year at a Sydney hospital, she joined NAPA to focus on early intervention. Outside of work, Zoe loves hitting the gym and experimenting in the kitchen—she’s always on the lookout for new recipe ideas!
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