Do you dread tummy time? If your baby starts fussing the moment they’re belly-down, you might be tempted to cut it short, or skip it altogether. Stay strong! Tummy time is a really important exercise for your baby.
Connecticut Children’s pediatric physical therapist Kim Hrapchak, PT, MSPT, explains why, and shares helpful tips.
It just means placing your baby on their stomach while they’re awake, and always under adult supervision. It’s an early, gentle exercise with lots of important benefits. For example, your baby will naturally try to lift their head and upper body and look around, which strengthens their neck and core muscles.
Yes! Tummy time helps your baby develop their muscles, bones and nervous system. They need it to reach lots of motor milestones, like rolling, pulling themselves up and crawling.
From day one! Tummy time can start as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital.
Start with just a few minutes at a time, a couple times a day. Build up to longer and more frequent sessions.
The younger you start your baby, the easier they’ll adjust to being on their stomach. But it’s never too late to start. So even if your baby is already several months old, it’s better to start tummy time now.
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Try to practice when your baby is well rested and in a happy mood, so that it’s a positive experience. For lots of babies, great times include after a diaper change or when they wake up from a nap.
Never let your baby sleep on their stomach, even for short naps. Your baby should always be awake for tummy time.
Babies that don’t get enough tummy time might take longer to develop some motor skills. For example, they might be slower to develop core strength, coordination and balance, and take longer to build related skills like reaching and crawling.
They could also develop a flat spot on the back of their head (a condition called plagiocephaly), caused by babies that spend too much time lying on their backs. You might recognize it from the helmets that babies wear to correct it.
No. If your baby is awake, they can be on their belly. This position is great for playing, bonding, and helping your baby gain confidence in exploring the world around them.
At first, you may need to try different ways to modify tummy time until your young infant gets stronger. These may include:
You can play and interact with your baby during tummy time to make it more enjoyable. Try placing yourself, toys or a mirror in front of your baby to encourage them to lift their head up.
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