Why Tummy Time is an Important Part of Development

Tummy time is an integral part of a baby’s development, helping them learn how to move, strengthen muscles, and develop fine motor skills - all important milestones pediatricians start monitoring soon after birth. By strengthening their neck, core, arms, shoulders, and back muscles during tummy time, babies learn to roll over, sit up, and crawl. It also helps babies develop hand-eye coordination and respond to information their brains are receiving by engaging the sense of touch, feeling textures of blankets, activity mats, or carpet. Another positive is being on the tummy helps prevent flat spots on the back of the baby’s head (head shape flattening) and helps prevent torticollis, a condition where the muscles on one side of the neck tighten making it hard to turn their heads resulting in a preference to one side.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies start tummy time during wakeful times after coming home from the hospital. These guidelines by age can help you determine what’s best for baby.

Newborn- Start slow and build up. A few minutes a day up to 3 times a week is the standard for newborns with gradual increases to the duration and frequency of tummy time. Newborns enjoy laying on a caregiver’s chest nearly face to face to start tummy time.

2-3 months- By this time, babies should be getting up to 1 hour of total tummy time per day. You can help baby enjoy this position by placing a rolled towel or blanket under the arms and chest to prop them up slightly. This is the time to introduce toys or rattles to stimulate vision and keep baby engaged.

4-6 months- This is the time when baby starts to engage more and can lift and hold their head up all the way and turn their neck to track voices, toys, and faces during tummy time. Baby should be able to push up on their forearms and might start rocking or rolling over from tummy to back or back to tummy. An activity mat with a mirror can keep them stimulated and having fun at this stage.

After 6 months- While development can be different for everyone, by 6 months baby should be able to reach and grab for toys and move in a circle while on their tummy. This is typically when baby will start showing signs of crawling.

Tummy time is simple and doesn’t require any special equipment – just place a blanket on the floor under the baby during a wakeful play time and remember to never leave a baby unsupervised. Encourage interaction and bonding by talking or singing. Change locations so baby has new things to look at and offer different toys to keep their interest. Some babies enjoy tummy time from the beginning, while others cry and struggle when placed on their bellies as they learn to lift and control their head with their growing muscles. It is also helpful not to try tummy time immediately after a feeding. Laying on a full belly is uncomfortable. Keep giving your baby the opportunity to practice by developing a routine like adding tummy time after a diaper change or a bath so baby starts to expect it. If baby falls asleep during tummy time, make sure to place baby on their back and allow them to continue to nap.

Tummy time has proven developmental benefits and should be part of baby’s routine until they start to crawl and walk. Research continues to show a positive effect between tummy time and overall development. Remember all babies develop differently and at their own pace. These development milestones are general guidelines used to track baby’s growth and progress. If you have questions or are concerned about tummy time, talk to your pediatrician, or schedule an assessment for your baby with a pediatric physical therapist. Baton Rouge General’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Center therapist are ready to help you and your baby on their developmental journey!