Tummy time is more than just a fun activity for your baby—it's also a critical part of their early development. When you place your awake baby on their stomach for a supervised tummy time session, you're helping to foster and nurture essential muscles needed for motor skills like rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking.
We talked with Dr. Suma Metla, a pediatric physical therapist and owner of Three Little Ducks Hawaii, where she specializes in leading family yoga classes, baby development classes, and offers in-home pediatric physical therapy sessions. She took the time to create this “Tummy Time” guide to walk us through how to incorporate tummy time into your baby’s daily routine, including the best positions to use, and tips to make the most out of this important practice.
About Tummy Time
Tummy time is a crucial developmental activity for infants, as it helps strengthen the muscles in their head, neck, and shoulders. This essential practice is key for preparing your baby for important milestones like rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and eventually walking.
How Long Should Tummy Time Last?
A general guideline for determining the appropriate duration of tummy time is 10 minutes per month of your baby’s age. For instance, if your baby is 2 months old, aim for a total of 20 minutes of tummy time per day.
Keep in mind, this time can be divided into multiple sessions throughout the day. This way you can incorporate tummy time in a way that best suits both your schedule and your baby’s needs.
Where Should Parents Begin?
A great first step when introducing tummy time can be to explore various positions. When exploring different variations of tummy time, it can help to make the activity more engaging for your baby, while also building their endurance and strength.
Here are several positions to consider for tummy time:
Tummy time on chest
Lie on your back or in a reclined position, and place your baby on your chest or tummy. This is an ideal position when you’re beginning tummy time with newborns.
Tummy time over a roll or boppy
Place a boppy pillow or a rolled blanket on the floor. Position your baby’s elbows on the pillow or blanket and gently cup their elbows with your hands to help them maintain their position.
Tummy time over leg
While seated on the floor, extend one leg out long, or sit criss cross. Position your baby on or over your leg for tummy time.
Tummy time on a wedge or couch cushion
Use a firm wedge and place your baby at the top of the incline on their stomach for an elevated tummy time experience.
Tummy time on the floor
Simply lay your baby on their stomach on a clean, comfortable surface for a simple tummy time position.
How Do Parents Maximize the Benefits of Tummy Time?
To ensure tummy time is both productive and enjoyable, consider the following tips:
Engage with your baby
Your baby will respond positively to your attention, and their tolerance to tummy time will greatly increase when they get to engage with you. Get down on the floor and engage in face-to-face interactions.
Talk to your baby
Babies are drawn to the sound of their parents’ voices. Use this time to speak to your baby, allowing them to listen, observe your mouth movements, and engage in early “conversation”.
Incorporate engaging toys
Toys with textures, sounds, and bright colors are best for capturing your baby’s attention, which in turn can make tummy time more stimulating.
Another way to add extra stimulation to tummy time is to practice toy tracking. Hold a toy slightly above your baby’s eye level and move it side to side, encouraging them to track the toy with their eyes.
End sessions when necessary
If your baby becomes fussy, simply end the tummy time session. You can spread tummy time throughout the day to help your baby reach their daily goal, making the process easier on you and your baby.
Please keep in mind these safety guidelines:
- Tummy time should always be a supervised activity.
- Ensure your baby is on a firm or semi-firm surface, not a soft one.
- If you notice your baby has difficulty with tummy time or is unable to track a toy evenly on both sides, it is advisable to consult your local pediatric physical therapist.
Incorporating tummy time into your baby’s daily routine is a simple yet essential way to support their physical development.
By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can make tummy time both fun and effective! Remember that consistent tummy time is a great way to help your baby grow stronger and reach their developmental milestones. Your involvement and encouragement during tummy time can make all the difference in your baby's progress!
To learn more about the pediatric physical therapist behind the blog, Dr. Suma Metla, check out her website here.
And for a cozy and multi-use accessory to assist with tummy time, see our full collection of muslin baby quilts here.
