Tummy time – a position synonymous with newborns and infants to help them develop, grow, and lay the groundwork for their future movement! Loved by some babies, despised by others, you too may have mixed feelings on tummy time, but as your pediatrician probably told you, the benefits of tummy time run deep.
Whether your baby hates tummy time or not, tummy time is important for many reasons. Read on for when to start tummy time, why tummy time is important, how to do tummy time safely, and what happens if you don’t do tummy time with your baby.
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What is Tummy Time?
Tummy time is one of the first exercises for all newborns and infants. Before your baby is mobile, tummy time is a crucial way for them to get the physical activity they need to develop their muscles.
Tummy time is when you position your baby on their stomachs in the prone position for brief periods of their time. Even if your baby doesn’t like tummy time, tummy time is essential for their development, as it helps build the muscles needed for important milestones such as rolling over, sitting up, and crawling, as well as provide visual and sensory stimulation. Tummy time is also important for preventing certain conditions such as flat head syndrome and twisted neck.
In the first few months of your baby’s life before they are mobile, it’s recommended that your baby spends a lot of their awake and play time on their tummy. Many different activities can count as tummy time – in fact, whenever you place your awake baby on their tummy in a safe and supervised location could be considered tummy time!
Tummy time can begin as early as the first day home from the hospital, starting with just a few minutes a day and gradually increasing in duration as your newborn grows stronger and more comfortable in the tummy time position.
When to Start Tummy Time
You should begin tummy time with your newborn can start right after they’re born. Tummy time for newborns can be done while they lay on your chest while you’re reclined, or across lap. Newborn tummy time can be done for a few minutes 2-3 times per day. Your newborn should be awake during tummy time.
As your baby gets more used to being on their tummy, and develops the strength to lift their head, you can start to increase the amount of time they do tummy time and move them to a mat on the floor. As your baby becomes more aware of their surroundings, you can start to give your baby exciting things to look up at or reach for while they are in the tummy time position.
Remember, don’t leave baby alone during tummy time and don’t put them to sleep on their stomach until they are at least one year old.
When can I stop tummy time?
When your baby starts to move independently, they may spend less time on their belly. That’s okay, because the benefits of tummy time will continue, even if your baby is mobile and has started crawling!
Most babies stop with tummy time around 6-months-old or 7-months-olds, when they start to roll, crawl, or sit up on their own. You can stop putting your baby in the tummy time position when your baby can roll over from front to back unassisted and sit up. Every baby is different, so tummy time may stop earlier or later.
How Much Tummy Time – By Age
Many parents wonder how long should tummy time be. The amount of time your baby should spend on their tummy may increase ton their age, but most experts agree there’s no such thing as too much tummy time! The general recommendation is at least 30 minutes of tummy time over the course of the day if you can, however that may be less for newborns as they need to develop the head control and strength to lift their head.
- How much tummy time for newborn: Two to three short 3 – 5 minutes tummy time sessions each day.
- How much tummy time at 1 month: Two to three short 3 – 5 minutes tummy time sessions each day.
- How much tummy time at 2 months: Two to three short 3 – 5 minutes tummy time sessions each day.
- How much tummy time at 3 months: A total of 15 – 30 minutes of tummy time daily.
- How much tummy time at 4 months: A total of 15 – 30 minutes of tummy time daily.
- How much tummy time at 5 months: A total of at least 60 minutes of tummy time daily.
- How much tummy time at 6 months: A total of at least 60 minutes of tummy time daily.
- How much tummy time after 6 months: A total of 60 – 90 minutes of tummy time daily.
If your baby enjoys being on their belly, offer them lots of opportunity to look around, reach, and play on their tummy. If your baby cries during tummy time, don’t worry – that’s also normal. There are tips for how to make the process more enjoyable.
Tummy time chart by age
Tummy time for preemies
Tummy time is important for preemies. Benefits of tummy time for preemies include helping them strengthen their neck, shoulder, and back muscles.
Check with your medical team as to the safest way to position your preemie on their stomach.
Benefits of Tummy Time
There are many different benefits of tummy time. Benefits of tummy time include:
- Strengthens Muscles: Tummy times helps develop your baby’s neck, shoulder, and arm muscles so they can hold their head up and move. The strength from tummy time is the foundation for many motor skills including being able to crawl, roll, sit, and eventually walk.
- Prevents Flat Spots: Tummy time can reduce the risk of developing flat spots on the back of your baby’s head, known as flat head syndrome or positional plagiocephaly.
- Boosts Coordination: Tummy time improves hand-eye coordination as babies learn to reach and grasp for what’s in front of them. Putting toys they love in front of them during tummy time, or speaking to them during tummy time, can encourage this.
- Encourages Exploration and Visual Development: Tummy time stimulates curiosity and encourages babies to explore their environment since they are looking around. Tummy time enhances visual tracking skills as babies follow objects and people they see when they are on their tummy.
- Facilitates Digestion: Tummy time can help your baby with digestion. The answer to does tummy time help with gas is also yes.
How to Do Tummy Time Safely
During the newborn stage, you can put your newborn on their tummy on your lap or chest. You can rub their backs and sing and talk to them during newborn tummy time. Be sure to keep a hand on them so they don’t flop to one side or roll from you.
As your baby gets acclimated to tummy time, you can transition them from tummy time on your lap or chest to tummy time on the floor.
It’s recommended you place a towel, blanket, or mat on the floor and then gently place your baby belly down onto the covered surface. You can scatter toys, stuffed animals, safety mirrors, or contrast cards close to your baby’s face to encourage them to look up and around. You can sing, play, and talk to your baby during tummy time as well, which can make for a fun bonding experience.
Don’t let your baby fall asleep or put your baby to sleep on their stomachs. If your baby falls asleep during tummy time, gently roll them to their back and place them in their sleep space on their back. Safe sleep for babies under one includes always putting them to sleep on their back, not their tummy.
General safety tips during tummy time
- Wait 20 – 30 minutes after a feeding before placing baby on their belly to reduce the possibility of baby spitting up or being uncomfortable.
- If baby falls asleep during tummy time, gently roll them to their back and place them in their sleep space.
- Do not swaddle your baby during tummy time so their arms and legs are free to move around while baby is on their stomach. (Here’s more information about when to stop swaddling)
- Don’t do tummy time if your baby is sleepy or nearing the end of a wake window to prevent baby from falling asleep on their belly.
- Never leave your baby alone or unsupervised during tummy time.
It’s a good idea to do belly time when baby is awake, fed, changed, and happy – many parents follow an eat, play, sleep schedule during the first few months of their baby’s life to make it easier to stay in a predictable routine.
If you’re looking for support around creating a routine for your baby that includes tummy time, download the Smart Sleep Coach by PampersTM app. The app will help you structure a perfect wake and sleep schedule so that your baby is well rested for tummy time and as a perk, has the best chance of sleeping longer stretches (and maybe even sleep through the night).
What to Do if Baby Hates Tummy Time
It’s common for a baby to hate tummy time or if your baby cries during tummy time. However, there are ways to make tummy time more enjoyable for your baby – and for you!
- Get Them Comfortable. Put your baby in the tummy time position when your baby is awake, fed, changed, and happy. If your baby has been fed before tummy time, wait 20 -30 minutes after feeding before placing them on their belly.
- Don’t Do Tummy Time When Your Baby is Tired. Being tired will increase the chance that your baby will fall asleep during tummy time or will not enjoy tummy time. Take this free 3-minute sleep quiz to get a personalized plan for your baby's sleep, so you know that they will be well-rested when it comes time for tummy time.
- Make Tummy Time Predictable. Some parents find it helpful to add tummy time to part of their daily routine, such as after each diaper change.
- Provide Reassurance During Tummy Time. If your newborn tummy time is happening while your baby is laying on your lap or chest, you also can rub their back to let them know they are safe and fine. During tummy time on the floor, you also can speak to them or rub their back.
- Get Down on the Floor. Laying down with your baby while they are in tummy time can make it more fun and makes tummy time a bonding experience. You can even lay down and put your baby on your own tummy!
- Make Tummy Time Fun. Scatter toys, stuffed animals, safety mirrors, or contrast cards close to baby’s face for them to look at. Move the toys around to encourage baby to look up. Sing, play, and talk to them during time on their belly. You will be amazed at how many opportunities tummy time provides for sensory development. (Remember, soft toys, blankets, and other loose items should not be placed in your baby’s crib).
- Give Them a Chance to Settle. Babies learn early on that crying gets them picked up. If your baby is changed, fed, and rested but is still crying during tummy time, if you’re comfortable, try not to pick them up immediately. Instead, try soothing them by rubbing their back or singing calming lullabies. If they are still upset after 30 seconds or so, you can pick them up and try again another time.
- Consider Props. Some experts say you can roll up a towel and play it under your baby’s arms to help prop them up during tummy time. Speak to your pediatrician to see if they have any guidance or recommendations around tummy time with a pillow, rolled blanket, or other props.
If your baby cries during tummy time and nothing soothes them, laying down with your baby and going chest to chest with you may work. This tummy time newborn position has the benefits. Once baby is a bit older, try tummy time on the floor again.
Final Thoughts
Before your baby is mobile, tummy time is both an essential exercise for your baby and a great opportunity for creative interactive play.
Whether your baby hates tummy time or enjoys playtime on their belly, there are ways to encourage your baby gets the tummy time they need to build important muscles to support their growth and future movement and create opportunity for sensory exploration.
Enjoy tummy time and watching your baby explore their world – the time goes fast!
