Are you wondering what tummy time is?
Tummy time is when your baby spends time on their stomach in order to gain muscles and strength.
How much tummy time does your baby need?
In this post, we will cover EVERYTHING you need to know about tummy time!
Here is what you will be learning more about:
- When should you start doing tummy time?
- Why is tummy time important?
- What skills come from tummy time?
- How much tummy time does my baby need?
- When is the best time to do tummy time?
- Where should you do tummy time?
- Tummy Time Tips: How to Make it More fun!
- Best Toys for Tummy Time
When I worked as an early childhood special education teacher I spent a lot of time talking to parents about the importance of tummy time and how to get started.
I was fortunate that my son LOVED tummy time from the start.
My daughter had some tummy issues so she wasn’t a fan of it at first but eventually, she grew into it as well and now that is all she wants to do!
(This post contains affiliate links. To read our full disclosure policy click here.)
When do you start doing tummy time?
You can start tummy time once you are home from the hospital.
If you have any concerns with doing tummy time with your baby make sure to check with your pediatrician or call early intervention.
Continue with tummy time as your baby grows and changes.
Why is tummy time important?
When your baby is on its tummy they are strengthening the muscles in their neck, arms, shoulders, back, and core.
These are the muscles your baby will use to roll, crawl, sit, stand, and someday walk!
Having tummy time also helps cut the risk of your baby developing flat head syndrome (read more about that here.)
Putting your baby in different positions allows them to explore things from a different perspective.
What skills come from tummy time?
Tummy time helps to strengthen many muscles throughout your baby’s body. This means tummy time helps with:
How much tummy time does my baby need?
If your baby enjoys tummy time then let them explore that position often. If your baby doesn’t like tummy time then start with short and frequent spurts throughout the day.
As your baby tolerates it you can lengthen the amount of time they spend on their tummy. Watch your baby’s cues.
If they are upset and unhappy then give them a break in another position and try again later.
Continue tummy time even as your baby gets older.
You can do this by laying them down on their stomachs to play instead of their backs if they are rolling.
You don’t need to make them stay on their tummies if they choose not to but it is an ideal starting position for play.
Tummy time is beneficial for older babies as they strengthen their arms to push up into an army crawl or crawling position. It continues to provide a sufficient way to strengthen their core which prepares them for standing and walking.
When is the best time to do tummy time?
You can do tummy time with your baby during awake play times.
You may want to do it either before you feed them or give them time to digest a feeding as they may spit up when placed on their belly.
Some babies are more sensitive to it than others.
Never place your baby on their stomach when they are drowsy or when they are about to go to sleep.
Always use safe sleep practices which require you to put your baby on their back to sleep.
You can read more about the recommended safe sleep practices from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) HERE.
Grab your FREE Milestone Guide HERE.
Where should you do tummy time?
When your baby is very small you can do newborn tummy time on yourself!
Let them rest their bodies on your chest or lap while on their stomach.
Always make sure you have a secure hold on your little one and are awake when you do this.
The floor is an ideal place to do baby tummy time. You will want to make sure the area is clean and baby proofed especially as your infant gets older.
You can use a large blanket or baby play mat to provide a clean surface for your baby while on their tummy.
Avoid doing tummy time on a bed or anywhere that is too soft and squishy as this is not safe as it poses suffocation risks.
My baby HATES tummy time…what should I do?
First of all…don’t panic!
Babies are all different and some may not enjoy tummy time as much as others.
The best way to avoid this issue is to start with tummy time early.
When your baby is little start with short increments of about 1-2 minutes.
As your baby tolerates it you can increase the time.
If your baby seems uncomfortable then it is time to give them a break or be done with the session.
Since babies can’t talk we really need to watch for their cues and meet their needs and wants that way.
You can entertain your baby by being down on the floor and interacting with them or using toys.
Read on for more ideas on how to have fun with tummy time.
Always Supervise Tummy Time
You need to be with your baby and watch them while they explore on their tummy.
Watch their cues closely and if they need a break make sure you give them one.
Tummy Time Tips: How to Make it More Fun
Get Down With Them for Floor Time
Lay in front of your baby and enjoy some face-to-face time with them while they are on their tummy.
This is a great way to encourage social and language development as well.
Talk or sing to them while you do this. They will enjoy having the company!
Read a Book
Do you remember reading a book on your tummy as a child?
Grab a book and show your baby the pictures while they are doing their tummy time.
Talk about the pictures that they see to engage them in the story.
This is a great way to not only boost early literacy skills but work on language and cognitive skills as well.
Grab a Mirror
Unbreakable mirrors (like this one) are a great way to provide your little one with a distraction.
They will be excited to see a baby that looks just like them.
This is a great way to help develop your baby’s social skills and body awareness.
Perfect Time for Sibling Bonding
If your baby has an older sibling this is a great opportunity to provide some supervised playtime together.
Have your older child get down on the floor with you and talk to the baby or make silly faces.
Talk about how the baby reacts to what they are doing.
Make sure to watch your baby’s cues and if they seem overstimulated make sure to give them a break.
Don’t Rely on Technology
Do not use a screen to entertain your baby while they are doing tummy time.
It can be very tempting to try this but the AAP recommends no screens for babies (read more about that here.)
Instead, get creative and use yourself or baby-friendly toys to distract your little one.
Use Interesting Objects or Toys
One of my favorite toys that I used with my son during tummy time was a push car that would pop balls when you pushed it (this is the one we had).
I would push the car in front of him while he was on his tummy and he would be fascinated by it!
You can grab any of your baby’s favorite toys to help distract them. Rattles (like these) can work well too!
Best Toys for Tummy Time
Using an unbreakable mirror is one of my favorite things to entertain a baby with during time.
It is a fun visual for them and great for building self-awareness skills.
Soft and squishy books (like this) are perfect for letting your baby explore while doing tummy time.
Ones that are crinkly can also be motivating for babies to explore.
Pop cars (like these) are fun to drive back and forth in your baby’s field of vision.
As they get older they will be able to move the car while on their tummy as well.
Having a good baby play mat is important for tummy time as well.
You can read our complete guide to picking out the best baby floor mat for crawling and tummy time here.
A boppy pillow (you can check them out here) can also be used for propping your baby once they are old enough.
What more parenting tips? Make sure to stop by my Facebook Page or join our mindful parenting group!
Related Posts You Will Enjoy
The Best Newborn Play Activities
Newborn Sleep Tips that Actually Work
Everything You Need to Know About Babies
Best Baby Toys for 0-12 Months
Baby Standing Milestones: Everything You Need to Know
Kayla O’Neill has a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree in special education with an emphasis in early childhood education. She has been working as a developmental therapist with babies and toddlers in early intervention since 2012. She is also a mom with two young children.