What is Tummy Time for Babies? Useful Practice Tips for Parents

As a dedicated parent, you're there to support and guide your little one, helping them thrive from the start. That likely means you've done your research on all the various ways to encourage healthy development. One such practice that rightfully garners much attention is tummy time! The practice of placing your baby belly-down during their wake windows for supervised play has been well established as having many advantages.

So, if you're curious to learn the ins and outs of how to enjoy this activity with your baby safely and what the benefits of tummy time are, then keep reading for our complete guide on why, when, and how to engage in tummy time for infants!

Why Is Tummy Time Important for Infant Development?

Before we identify the facets of tummy time that support development, it's helpful to understand the history that led to its widespread recommendation by health authorities in the first place.

Back in the mid-1990s, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) introduced the "Back to Sleep" campaign, advising parents to put babies to sleep on their backs rather than their stomachs, which dramatically reduced the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

However, one unintended consequence of this was that doctors began to notice an increase in torticollis, a condition in which a baby's head consistently tilts to one side, and also plagiocephaly, the development of a flat spot on the back of a baby's skull.

The campaign was then amended to "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play" to encourage regular tummy time, which has been found to be an effective way to reduce the risk of these positional conditions. Beyond protecting your baby's head shape and neck position, tummy time is essential for strengthening various muscle groups, promoting fine and gross motor skills, and sensory development.

Benefits of Infant Tummy Time for Motor Skills, Strength, and Milestones

If you think it feels counterintuitive to place your baby stomach-down instead of right side up, you're certainly not alone. From the moment your little one is born, all you want to do is hold them in your arms and look at them face-to-face, but there are advantages to switching things up.

When your baby first enters the world, their delicate little body is fragile, and it takes some time to build their strength up. One of the main benefits of placing your baby on their tummy is that it helps to strengthen their upper body, including their hands, arms, neck, and shoulder muscles.

As your baby grows stronger, this supports the development of motor skills, enabling your baby to learn and master the art of controlling their own muscles to complete various actions. Gradually, tummy time will support your baby's journey from lying down to sitting up, rolling over, crawling, and eventually walking all on their own.

But the benefits don't end there; it's also important for your little one's sensory development. When you place your little one on their stomach, it offers them a change in their environment and thus a new perception of their world, allowing them to explore and learn about their surroundings. As you play, it's an opportunity for them to fine-tune their hand-eye coordination and learn to grasp objects such as tummy time toys.

Finally, as we mentioned earlier, tummy time provides your baby with a break from lying on their back and can be a good way to reduce the risk of flat spots developing on their head.

When to Start Tummy Time and How to Do It?

Baby tummy time is a crucial step in your child's healthy development, so the AAP suggests starting it with your newborn from birth. Tummy time activities are a safe choice for most babies, so you can start as soon as your little one is home from the hospital.

To get started, you can begin by clearing an area on your floor and placing baby on their stomach while awake and supervised. During the first few months, your little one will get tummy time benefits from short 3-5-minute sessions just 2-3 times a day.

The AAP recommends gradually increasing the amount of time spent on the tummy as your baby learns to enjoy and become more comfortable with it. The goal is that by 7 weeks, your baby should be spending 15 to 30 minutes each day on their tummy.

After diaper changes or once your little one wakes up from a nap, present convenient opportunities where your little one is alert and ready for some belly-down play. However, it's best to avoid tummy time after feeding your baby to prevent discomfort or spit-up. Instead, allow your baby to digest for 20 to 30 minutes after a feed before placing them on their belly.

You can help make it an enjoyable and engaging experience for your baby by talking and playing with them. It's also helpful to incorporate toys or mirrors into your tummy time routine, placing them just out of reach for your baby to encourage them to lift their head and learn to reach for objects, promoting motor skills development.

It may take some time to get your little one used to this experience, so feel free to play around with different positions like lying chest to chest or cradling your baby belly down in your arms. You can also use a blanket, play mat, rolled-up towel, or tummy time pillow under their chest to help prop your baby up more comfortably on the floor and assist with lifting and pushing up.

How To Practice Tummy Time At Different Points In Development: Age by Age

The benefits of tummy time extend from the early newborn days to once your baby is older, but how you engage in it will vary slightly depending on your little one's stage of development. Here we will walk you through tummy time by age to help you understand what's appropriate for baby and when, and we've also included a handy tummy time chart by age for your convenience.

Tummy Time for Newborns (0-2 Months)

For newborn babies, keep it simple and brief. You can help your baby get used to being on their stomach by placing them belly-down on your chest or across your lap to start, rather than on the floor. Just a few minutes at a time, two or three times a day, will be sufficient at this point. However, as your baby becomes accustomed to it, you can gradually increase the duration slightly.

Tummy Time for Young Infants (2-4 Months)

Your 2-month-old tummy time routine should be more established. At this point, pediatricians recommend 15-30 minutes of total tummy time daily. Instead of laying your baby on your body, you can try placing them on a play mat on the floor. Feel free to place some of your baby's favorite toys around the space to encourage them to lift their head, provide more stimulating visuals, and begin fine-tuning their upper body strength. Keep in mind that your little one's vision is still developing at this point, and before 4 months of age, babies see objects 12 to 18 inches away from their face most clearly.

Tummy Time for Older Infants (4-6 Months)

By now, you've gradually worked your baby up to spending longer stretches of time on their belly and can engage in more active play. At the 3-month mark, experts recommend that your baby have approximately 1 hour of tummy time per day. You can focus on preparing your baby for rolling, a tummy time milestone that typically occurs around 4-6 months, by helping to develop their core strength. This is also a great stage to introduce more interesting tummy time toys.

Tummy Time for Mobile Babies (6 Months and Beyond)

Your baby should continue to spend longer amounts of time on their stomach. From 6 months, aim for 60-90 minutes of tummy time daily until your baby starts to crawl, which typically happens around 6 to 10 months. However, every baby is different so that timeline may vary.

At this point, you can expect your baby to engage in more self-directed tummy time activities. You'll also notice your little one getting stronger, for example, by now they may be able to pivot in a circle while on their belly. In keeping with their increased mobility and awareness, consider playing more interactive games to keep your baby motivated to continue enjoying tummy time. Eventually, they may prefer it more than being on their back.

Once your child can consistently get into and out of their tummy time position independently, you can stop intentional and structured tummy time. Typically, this happens once they can roll from their stomach to their back alone or once they start crawling.

What to Do If Baby Hates Tummy Time?

It's normal to see some resistance from your baby at first, but there are plenty of tummy time tips to encourage your little one to accept this more readily. For starters, create a calm and comfortable space for your baby to explore and remember you aren't beholden to the same environment. Sometimes a change in scenery will make them more receptive.

Keep in mind that as your baby learns to use their upper body muscles, they tend to do better with firm, flat surfaces, such as a comfy play mat on the floor, rather than sinking, squishy surfaces like a bed. You may find that getting down on the floor with your little one or having an older sibling join in can help them get excited about it. It's also best to dress your child in clothes that allow them to move freely so they don't feel restricted.

When starting newborn tummy time, remember to take breaks when needed and feel free to shorten your sessions if baby is showing a lot of push back. You'll want to try again later once your child is less fussy. That being said, it is okay to challenge your baby to tough it out a little bit because it will be important for their development later on.

Final Thoughts: Enjoying Baby Tummy Time

Tiny tots can have big opinions, and it may seem like your baby hates tummy time at first, but if you start them early and stick to it, they will eventually adapt. Remember, you can help make it a more positive experience for you and your baby by offering a fun and engaging space filled with toys and music to maximize the benefits of playtime. It's also an opportunity for you and other family members to bond with your baby.

Remember to always supervise your little one to make sure they stay safe, and be patient and consistent when establishing a tummy time routine. Your little one will be bigger before you know it, so take the time to enjoy watching your baby's progress and celebrate their achievements, no matter how small.

Answering Your Questions

Have more questions about tummy time? Here are some quick answers to put your mind at rest. Remember, if you have any concerns, your doctor is your best resource for accurate and personalized information.

Does Tummy Time Help with Gas?

Yes, placing your baby on their stomach can help relieve gassiness because the gentle stretching and abdominal pressure can release trapped gas bubbles and encourage bowel movements.

How Long Should Tummy Time Be?

The official recommendation of the AAP is that tummy time should be done in 3-5 minute sessions 2-3 times a day, and as your baby continues to grow and develop, you can gradually increase the session time for a total of 15-30 minutes daily by 7 months.

What Not to Do During Tummy Time?

To keep your baby safe, never leave them unattended, never allow them to sleep on their stomach, don't place them on a surface they can roll off of, like a bed or couch, and don't put your baby on soft pillows or blankets that they could suffocate on.