What is Tummy Time?
Tummy time is the practice of placing your baby on their stomach while they are awake, with a caregiver present and watching at all times. It is one of the most beneficial activities you can introduce from the very first days after coming home from the hospital.
Why is Tummy Time important?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends regular tummy time for all infants. The benefits include:
- Muscle development: Lying on their stomach encourages babies to lift their head, strengthening the neck and upper chest muscles.
- Visual stimulation: Babies get to experience the world from a new angle, and the up-and-down head movement helps develop visual tracking.
- Preventing flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly): Varied positioning reduces prolonged pressure on any one part of the skull.
When and how long should Tummy Time last?
Tummy time can begin as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital. Start with 2–3 sessions per day, each lasting 3–5 minutes. Gradually increase the duration as your baby becomes more comfortable and seems to enjoy the position.
Not all babies take to it immediately. If your baby seems uncomfortable, fussy, or cries:
- Place a thin, soft cloth under their chest to make head lifting easier
- Use a brightly colored toy to capture their attention and encourage them to lift and lower their head
- Take a 2–3 day break and try again
Safety precautions
It is important to remember that the safest sleeping position for babies is always on their back. Back sleeping carries a significantly lower risk of airway obstruction and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) compared to stomach or side sleeping.
With that in mind, tummy time should follow these guidelines:
- Only during awake periods, with a caregiver actively supervising at all times
- Avoid tummy time for premature babies, low birth weight infants, or babies with health concerns
- The surface should be flat, not tilted, and neither too hard nor too soft
References:
- Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5; American Academy of Pediatrics, Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, FAAP, David L. Hill : 2019
- Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality; Laura A. Jana, MD, FAAP, Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP: 2005
- UCLA Health
- Safe to Sleep – Tummy Time
- AAP – Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play Brochure
- Safe to Sleep – Tummy Time
- Cribs for Kids
