What is tummy time?
Tummy time is when a baby is placed on their stomach while they are awake and being watched by an adult. Tummy time is important for development as a whole.
Why is tummy time important?
Tummy time is a building block for a lot of developmental skills. These include motor development, feeding skills, speech and language development, sensory development, and visual development. As well as preventing conditions related to flattening of the head and stiffening muscles of the neck.
Motor Development:
Strengthening baby’s neck, shoulders, and core muscles to build a foundation for reaching other milestones such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and more.
Feeding, Speech, & Language Development:
Tummy time builds a stable base for future feeding skills through increasing core strength and head control. This position also gives baby the ability to crane their neck easier than when laying on their back, allowing them to explore their environment. Speech and language skills can thrive through curiosity and the ability to watch you and listen to you while in tummy time positions.
Sensory Development:
During tummy time babies can feel different textures of surfaces, such as blankets, carpets, play mats, etc. As babies get older and can move their arms and legs, they gain a sense of body awareness through weight shifting their body.
Visual Development:
Tummy time is a great opportunity for tracking toys to progress visual development. Babies can combine working their eye muscles and progress skills like hand eye coordination through reaching for toys while in tummy time positions.
When should I start tummy time and what are some positions to try?
You can start tummy time as soon as you come home from the hospital! As long as your baby is healthy and there are no medical complications preventing baby from being on their tummy. If you have any concerns, consult with your doctor first.
There are a variety of tummy time positions you can try. Some of these include:
- Flat on their tummy: over a blanket, play mat, etc.
- Tummy to tummy: baby on your chest while you are lying on your back.
- Lap soothe: laying baby horizontally across your lap.
- Tummy down carry: holding your baby tummy down while in your arms.
How much tummy time is right for my baby?
The amount of tummy time your baby needs varies by age. You can implement smaller time increments multiple times a day to hit your overall goal until your baby can tolerate tummy time for longer periods.
- Newborns: Start with 1–2 minute sessions, 2–3 times a day.
- 1–2 months: Aim for 15–30 minutes per day.
- 3 months: Aim for 30–60 minutes per day.
- 4 months and older: Aim for 60–90 minutes per day.
My baby seems to hate tummy time, what do I do?
Use a variety of tummy time positions. You can cycle through multiple positions and see what your baby likes best. During tummy time talk to your baby, sing songs, read books, label objects, play games like peekaboo, and use a variety of toys they find most interesting. Some good toys may include baby mirrors, sensory/texture books and toys, as well as rattles. Be consistent, keep trying, and keep it interesting for your baby!
By Lisha Lamb, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Rainbows Sedgwick County Infant/Toddler Services
Resources:
- Effgen, Susan K., and Alyssa LaForme Fiss. Meeting the Physical Therapy Needs of Children. F.A. Davis, 2021.
- “Tummy Time Tips: What You Need to Know about Tummy Time.” Pathways.Org, 16 Apr. 2024, pathways.org/topics-of-development/tummy-time/.
- Amy.webb@lovevery.com. “Tummy Time: When Should I Start and Why It Is Important.” Lovevery, 12 Sept. 2024, blog.lovevery.com/skills-stages/tummy-time/.
- Ict. “Tummy Time’s Role in Feeding, Speech & Language Development.” INTEGRATED CHILDREN’S THERAPY, 12 May 2021, integratedchildrens.com/tummy-times-role-feeding-speech-language-development/.
