Why Is Tummy Time So Important for Your Newborn Baby?

As a parent of a newborn, you’ve probably heard the term “tummy time” and may have thought it was just a simple playtime activity with your baby. Well, yes, it is, but it’s also an opportunity to help your baby build strength and work on motor skill development.

Read on to find out more about the benefits of tummy time, how to give your baby tummy time, and how you can make tummy time fun for your little one.

What Is Tummy Time?

To begin, what is the definition of “tummy time?” Tummy time involves placing your wide-awake baby on their belly for short periods of time while you closely watch them. This activity is important for your baby’s development as it can help strengthen the neck and shoulder muscles as well as boost motor skills.

Just remember that your baby should always be supervised during their tummy time sessions.

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What Are the Benefits of Tummy Time?

It’s common for parents to wonder, “Why is tummy time important, and why do babies need it?” Offering tummy time to your baby every day offers a variety of benefits:

• Promotes physical development. Tummy time helps strengthen your baby’s neck, arms, back, and legs and also helps them gain flexibility and muscle control. The motor skills and strength they develop will be needed for rolling over and sitting, and then crawling and walking.

• Provides a new perspective on the world. It gives your baby the chance to observe and explore their environment in a different way than they do when they’re on their back. On their stomach, they have to lift their head to look around. This not only helps strengthen their back and neck muscles but also gives them a new perspective on the world.

• Helps ease torticollis and avoid flat head syndrome. Tummy time can be beneficial for babies with torticollis, a condition resulting in tight muscles in the neck. Tummy time, along with exercises prescribed by a healthcare provider, can help a baby’s tight neck muscles relax. Spending time on their stomach while awake can also help avoid flat spots developing on the back of your baby's head, known as flat head syndrome.

• Introduces new textures. It exposes your baby to different textures as the skin on the different parts of their body comes in contact with the surface they’re on.

Check out this video for a quick 101 on tummy time:

When to Start Tummy Time?

You can start tummy time sessions while you and your newborn are still in the hospital, or as soon as your newborn is home from the hospital.

It’s a good idea to start early so your baby can get used to the activity. Keep in mind that you don’t have to worry about the umbilical cord stump when you start doing tummy time—the stump will be just fine.

To get started in this early stage, place your baby on your chest or stomach while you are in a reclined position in a chair, on a bed, or on the floor. Take this time to engage with your baby, make lots of eye contact, talk animatedly, and make exaggerated facial expressions. This is a great way to bond with your new baby!

How Much Tummy Time Is Recommended by Age and How Often

If your healthcare provider gives you the OK, you can start tummy time as soon as your baby is born, even if it starts with just a few minutes a day. Gradually, you can increase the time spent on their tummy as your baby grows and develops.

For newborns, you can start with 3 to 5 minutes of tummy time, 2 to 3 times a day, to encourage head control and build muscles. By the time your baby reaches 2 months, aim for 15 to 30 minutes a day. At 3 to 4 months, how much tummy time is needed can increase to about an hour, spread throughout the day, and should be worked into different activities. 

As your baby gets older, you can continue tummy time, increasing the frequency or duration of the supervised sessions. Between 4 to 7 months of age, it’s common for babies to start rolling over from their tummy to their back. It’s still important to give them plenty of tummy time during this period as it continues to strengthen their arm, chest, and back muscles, readying them for new skills and developments. 

Remember, each child is unique and will develop at their own pace, so these age ranges are just a guide. If you have any concerns about your little one’s development, consult their healthcare provider.

Tummy Time Chart by Age

Here is a rough guide on tummy time by age for you to try with your little one. Of course, you can vary the duration and frequency of the tummy time sessions as your baby gets older. Start with short sessions and once your baby is used to it, gradually increase the duration. Remember to always supervise your baby during tummy time.

How to Do Tummy Time

Tummy time can be slightly different for newborns and older babies. Read on to find out how to do tummy time with a newborn and an older baby, including tips and positions to try.

Tummy Time for Newborns

As your little one is just beginning to develop head and neck control, follow these guidelines for doing tummy time for newborns from 0 to 3 months old:

1. Place your newborn belly-down on your chest or on your lap while they’re wide awake.

2. To help them feel more comfortable, interact with them by looking into their eyes, giving them a big smile, and talking to them in a happy sing-song voice.

3. At this stage, keep tummy time short—about three to five minutes at a time. You can slowly increase the length as you see them enjoying the activity. Give your little one tummy time about two to three times per day. After a diaper change or a nap could be a great time for it.

Although your baby may have more control over their head and stronger neck muscles by the end of the first month, you still need to support their head when you hold them. They won’t be able to hold their head up on their own until they’re about 4 months old.

Tummy Time for Older Babies

Here's how to give your older baby tummy time when they’re about 4 to 7 months old:

1. Place your baby belly-down onto an area on the floor that’s covered with a blanket, towel, or play mat.

2. Play and interact with your little one by getting on the floor with them, and even dangling a toy in front of them.

3. Offer a tummy time session of about three to five minutes at a time, eventually increasing in duration once you see them enjoying the activity. You can do tummy time about two to four times a day—perhaps after a diaper change or a feeding.

Around this time, your baby most likely will be able to fully lift their head while they’re on their tummy, and they may also start to push up on their arms, arch their back, and lift their chest. This newly achieved upper body strength will aid them in eventually being able to sit up.

You may also notice your baby rocking on their stomach, or even kicking their legs or “swimming” with their arms when they’re on their tummy. This often happens at around 5 months, and indicates they’re getting the strength and skills needed to be able to roll over and maybe even crawl.

Tummy Time Positions

Here’s a list of different tummy time positions for newborns and older infants. Try them out and see what works best for your little one. You can, of course, use a variety of positions to keep things interesting:

• Tummy time on your chest (perfect for newborns):

  • Place your baby on their tummy, chest to chest with you.

  • This position is great for bonding and helps them lift their head and neck in a supportive, familiar environment.

• Tummy time on your lap: 

  • This is another great position for newborns.

  • Place your baby on their tummy lengthwise across your lap, and support their head with your leg.

  • You can talk or sing to your baby in this position or gently rub their back.

• The “football hold” position:

  • Place your baby on their tummy, but instead of lying flat, you hold them with their body supported along your forearm.

  • One arm is under their chest, while the other hand can support their head and neck.

• Floor tummy time: 

  • Once your baby is used to the previous tummy time positions, you can try placing them on the floor.

  • Lay your baby on their stomach on a flat, safe surface (like a play mat).

  • Encourage them with toys or by getting down at their level to help them lift their head and neck.

• Tummy time on a pillow:

  • Lay your baby on their tummy over a pillow or rolled towel to support their chest and arms.

  • This position helps them practice head control while still being supported.

• Side lying tummy time:

  • Lay your baby on their side on a soft surface, such as a play mat or blanket.

  • Use your hand or a rolled towel to gently support your baby’s back or tummy, helping them maintain balance while lying on their side.

  • You can place a toy in front of them or engage with them at their level to encourage them to turn their head and reach. 

• Superman/swimming pose:

  • This is a good position when your baby is around 4 to 7 months as you might see them trying out this pose around this time.

  • Lay your baby on their tummy and gently guide their arms forward as if they are flying like Superman.

  • This position promotes strengthening of both the upper body and legs.

These positions help promote motor skills, head control, and muscle strength. Always supervise tummy time and ensure your baby is comfortable.

How to Make Tummy Time Enjoyable

Tummy time is a great opportunity to play with your baby. Here are some ideas that make tummy time fun and may also encourage your little one if they don’t enjoy tummy time at first:

1. Put a colorful object or favorite toy just out of your baby’s reach to occupy their attention. You can also encourage them to reach for it. 

2. Instead of a toy, you could also sit down low or lay beside your baby, just out of reach. This will entertain them and encourage them to lift their head up to look at you or try to reach toward your face.

3. Place toys in different spots around your baby. This will encourage them to reach toward the different points, and as a result, help develop the muscles that they will need to roll over, scoot, and eventually crawl.

4. Instead of placing your baby on a surface for tummy time, you could place your baby on your lap or chest. This is especially recommended for newborns up to 3 months old. When on your lap, lift and lower your legs at the same time; then, for a variation, move your baby side to side. On your chest, your baby will try to lift their head and arms to look at you. During these tummy time sessions, keep talking to your baby to comfort and encourage them.

5. If you have a toddler or young child in the house, have them play with your baby during tummy time. This can be a good bonding moment for siblings.

Eventually, your baby will get the hang of tummy time and may come to love it. If you’re concerned that your baby isn’t enjoying tummy time, ask your baby’s healthcare provider for advice.

Safety Considerations for Tummy Time

Here are some things to keep in mind when starting tummy time:

• Always supervise your baby during tummy time.

• Aside from your lap or chest, the best place to do tummy time is on a low, safe surface, such as a clean floor, or a floor spread with a play mat or a blanket. Just make sure the blanket doesn’t slide around as your baby moves.

• Avoid doing tummy time on a sofa or bed, or any other raised or soft surface. These locations can put your baby at risk of suffocation or rolling off. 

• If your baby falls asleep during tummy time, remember to roll them onto their back. Back sleeping is the safest sleep position for babies.

The Bottom Line

Tummy time can be a fun activity for both you and your baby as it’s a great opportunity to bond. It’s also a chance for your baby to develop the muscle control needed for all the progress to come, such as sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. Practicing tummy time each day will bring lots of rewards in terms of your baby’s ongoing development.

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_{How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.}