The Importance of Tummy Time for Babies
Lauren Coin
| 3 min read
Tummy time may sound like a playful phrase, but it’s actually an important practice for infants to develop key skills and learn more about the world around them.
This supervised exercise consists of placing a baby on their stomach for a short period of time while they’re awake. Learn more about the benefits of tummy time, as well as tips and tricks to keep your baby safe and happy.
Benefits of tummy time
There are a multitude of benefits to doing tummy time with your baby. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), this activity can help strengthen your baby’s neck, shoulder and arm muscles, which prepares them for eventually sitting up and crawling on their own.
Strengthening these muscles also helps improve their motor skills and enables them to achieve their developmental milestones, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These milestones can include lifting their head, rolling from side to side and holding and reaching for objects.
Tummy time can also help prevent skull deformations like flat head syndrome. Per the Cleveland Clinic, this condition happens when your baby’s head is misshapen or they develop a flat spot on the back of their head, often due to prolonged pressure on one area.
While it’s important for babies to always sleep on their back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), it’s essential for them to spend time on their stomachs while they are awake to prevent conditions like flat head syndrome.
Tummy time also allows babies to view the world from a different perspective, as they typically spend most of their time on their back. This experience increases their awareness of their arm and leg movements, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
When to start tummy time
You can start tummy time with your baby the day they get home from the hospital, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Initially, this exercise should be done two to three times each day for three-to-five-minute increments. Tummy time is best during times when your baby is alert such as after naps or diaper changes.
The older and stronger your baby gets, the more time they need on their stomach. By two months, babies should be getting 15 to 30 minutes of total tummy time each day.
By three months, they should be getting 30 minutes each day. After six months, they should be getting 60 to 90 minutes of total tummy time each day until they start crawling, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How to do tummy time
Prepare a clean, firm surface for your baby to lay on. Then, gently place them on their stomach. NICHD recommends placing a rolled-up towel under their arms to help prop them up.
Try placing them on a variety of different surfaces such as carpet, a secured blanket or foam mat to promote sensory development, per the Cleveland Clinic.
To encourage them to lift their head and move around, put a toy within their reach. This activity can also be a bonding opportunity, as you can lay down face to face with your baby. Talk to them in a happy tone with various facial expressions to keep them entertained.
Keeping tummy time safe
It’s imperative you closely supervise your baby during any tummy time activity, the Cleveland Clinic advises. Your baby should never be left alone face down, as they lack the ability to keep their head up for long periods of time until they are around four months old.
If you have any concerns about your baby’s development or are worried they’re not reaching certain milestones, contact your pediatrician or primary care provider.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Related:
