What Is Tummy Time?
Tummy time is laying babies on their stomachs for brief
periods while they're awake. It's an important way to help babies strengthen
their neck and shoulder muscles, and improve motor skills.
Be sure to stay with your baby and watch closely during
tummy time.
What Can Tummy Time Help With?
Tummy time is good for:
Newborns and infants
1–3 months old who are just developing neck control. Tummy time helps develop
the muscles they'll need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk. Always stay
with your baby during tummy time.
Older babies, 4–7
months old. They should still spend some supervised time on their bellies, even
if they can roll over and sit with some help. Tummy time helps them practice
lifting their head and chest further by straightening their arms. This
strengthens arm, chest, and back muscles.
Newborns who have
a neck condition called torticollis (tor-ti-KOLL-iss). Tight neck muscles keep
the baby from turning their head. Tummy time encourages babies to look around,
and along with exercises your doctor will show you, can help your baby's neck
muscles relax.
Babies with flat
head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly). This happens when babies spend too
much time on their backs in the first few months of life. This can cause a flat
spot, either on one side or the back of the head.
How Do I Do Tummy Time?
Newborns
Start newborns on tummy time by placing them belly-down on
your chest or across your lap for a few minutes at a time, two or three times a
day. While lying on their belly, they can practice lifting their head and
strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles. As your baby gets used to it, you
can go for a little longer.
Older Babies
Place a blanket down in a clear area on the floor. Place
your baby on their stomach on the blanket for 3–5 minutes to start, several
times each day. Your baby may get fussy and frustrated in this position. Keep
the first sessions of tummy time brief and gradually lengthen them. It's also a
good idea to do tummy time when your baby is fed, changed, and happy.
As your baby gets used to it, place your little one
belly-down more often or for longer periods of time. Experts recommend that
babies work up to about 1 hour of tummy time a day by the time they're 3 months
old.
Make some noises or shake a rattle to get your child to look
up and push up. Place a favorite toy in front of your baby to encourage
reaching and forward movement.
Babies With Torticollis or a Flat Spot
Babies With Torticollis or a Flat Spot
This exercise is good for babies with torticollis and/or a
flat spot, and can help treat both problems
Lay your baby on
your lap for tummy time. Position your baby with their head turned away from
you. Then, talk or sing to your baby. Encourage your little one to turn and
face you. Do this exercise for 10–15 minutes.
What Else Should I Know
Always stay with
your baby during tummy time.
Always place babies
on their backs (never on their bellies) to sleep to help prevent SIDS (sudden
infant death syndrome).
Do tummy time on a
low, safe surface. Don't put your baby on a sofa or bed, where they could roll
off or suffocate on pillows or a soft surface.
If your baby doesn't seem to enjoy tummy time, add some
variety. Sing songs, keep colorful toys nearby, get down on the floor and
eye-to-eye with your baby, and have others join you. Don't give up! Tummy time
is important, and some babies just need a little extra time to get used to it.
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: October 2019
