Tummy Time: Why It Matters and How to Make It Easier

If you've been to a pediatrician visit in the first few months, you've probably heard about tummy time. It seems simple enough: put baby on their tummy. But many parents have questions about why it matters and what to do when their baby protests loudly.

Important: The guidelines below reflect recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Every baby develops differently. Talk to your pediatrician about what's appropriate for your child.

What Is Tummy Time?

Tummy time is exactly what it sounds like: supervised time when your baby is awake and placed on their stomach. It's a form of exercise and play that helps your baby build strength and develop motor skills.

The AAP recommends tummy time as part of daily activity for infants. It's done while your baby is awake and you're watching.

Why Does It Matter?

Builds strength: Lying on their tummy challenges your baby to lift their head and push up with their arms. This builds neck, shoulder, arm, and core strength.

Supports motor development: The strength gained during tummy time helps with rolling, crawling, and eventually sitting and standing.

Prevents flat spots: Babies who spend all their time on their backs can develop flat spots on their heads (positional plagiocephaly). Tummy time gives the back of the head a break.

Different perspective: Seeing the world from a different position is stimulating for your baby's developing brain.

How Much Tummy Time?

The AAP suggests working toward 15 to 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day by the time your baby is 7 weeks old. But you don't start there.

Newborns: Start with very short sessions, just 1 to 2 minutes at a time, a few times a day. You can begin as soon as you're home from the hospital.

1 to 2 months: Gradually work up to longer sessions. Some babies tolerate 5 to 10 minutes, others prefer shorter bursts more frequently.

3 to 4 months: Many babies can do longer tummy time sessions and may even start to enjoy them as they get stronger.

The total daily amount matters more than individual session length. Five 3-minute sessions equals 15 minutes total.

What If Baby Hates It?

Here's a secret: many babies don't love tummy time at first. It's hard work for them. Their muscles are weak, and being on their tummy can feel unfamiliar and frustrating.

Some things that can help:

Start early: Babies who begin tummy time in the first weeks often adjust to it more easily.

Do it after diaper changes: Build it into your routine. After changing a diaper, flip baby over for a minute or two of tummy time before picking them up.

Get down on their level: Lie on the floor facing your baby. Your face is the most interesting thing in their world. Make eye contact, talk to them, sing.

Use a rolled towel: Place a small rolled towel under your baby's chest and armpits. This gives them a little boost and makes lifting their head easier.

Try tummy-to-tummy: Lie on your back and place your baby tummy-down on your chest. This counts as tummy time and lets them see your face.

Short and frequent: If your baby only tolerates 1 minute, that's fine. Just do it more often throughout the day.

Choose good timing: Try tummy time when your baby is alert and content, not when they're hungry, tired, or just after eating.

When to Stop

End the tummy time session when your baby gets upset. You want this to be a positive experience, not something they dread. It's okay to pick them up, comfort them, and try again later.

As babies get stronger, usually around 5 to 6 months, they start rolling and moving on their own. At that point, formal "tummy time" becomes less necessary because they're spending time on their tummy naturally as they move around.

Safe Tummy Time

Always follow safe practices:

Your baby should be awake, alert, and supervised. Never leave a baby alone during tummy time, especially on elevated surfaces. Use a firm, flat surface like a blanket on the floor. Keep small objects and choking hazards out of reach.

Remember: babies should always sleep on their backs. Tummy time is for awake, supervised play only.

Tracking Tummy Time

Logging tummy time helps you see patterns and make sure you're hitting your daily goals. When you're juggling feeds, diapers, and naps, it's easy to forget whether you did tummy time today.

A quick log also shows you progress over time. Looking back at a month of data, you might see that your baby went from tolerating 2 minutes to happily playing for 10 minutes. That's growth you can see.

Talk to Your Pediatrician

Every baby develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby's strength, head control, or tolerance for tummy time, bring it up at your next pediatrician visit. They can assess your baby's development and give you personalized guidance.

Some babies have conditions that affect tummy time, like torticollis (tight neck muscles) or reflux. Your pediatrician can help you adapt tummy time for your baby's specific needs.

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BabyZone Premium includes playtime tracking with tummy time logs, helping you monitor developmental activities and see progress over time.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician with questions about your baby's development.