Why is Tummy Time Important for Babies?

Tummy time is essential because it builds the foundations for motor development, head control, and overall physical strength. Here’s why it matters:

Strengthens neck, shoulder, and back muscles

When babies lift or turn their head during tummy time, they work the same muscles they’ll later use for:

Holding their head up
Rolling
Sitting
Crawling
Pulling to stand

Helps prevent flat spots on the head

Babies spend a lot of time on their backs, especially for safe sleep. Tummy time relieves constant pressure on the back of the skull and helps prevent or improve positional plagiocephaly (flat head).

Supports motor skill development

Tummy time encourages babies to:

Bear weight through their arms
Shift weight from side to side
Practice early reaching/crawling movements

These are the building blocks for later coordinated movements

Enhances sensory + visual development

On their tummy, babies experience:

A new view of the world
Opportunities to practice visual tracking
Improved hand-eye coordination as they reach for toys

Encourages Body Awareness

It helps babies learn how their body moves in space, an early form of proprioception.

How Much Tummy Time is Recommended?

• Newborn–2 months: a few minutes at a time, several times a day (aiming for ~20–30 minutes total by about 6–8 weeks).

• 3 months: about 30–60 minutes across the day.

• 4 months and beyond: 60–90 minutes or more, broken into short sessions.

Always supervise your baby for safety.

How to encourage tummy time:

Start as soon as possible - today is a good day

Make it fun

Gradually increase the duration of tummy time

Be patient

What To Do If Your Baby Hates Tummy Time

Many babies dislike tummy time at first — it’s hard work!

The key is to make it easier, shorter, and more engaging, and to slowly build their tolerance. Here are practical strategies:

1. Start with very short sessions

Even 10–20 seconds counts for young or frustrated babies.

Do tiny sessions many times throughout the day. Consistency matters more than duration.

2. Use your chest — the easiest version

Lie back at a slight angle and place baby on your chest, tummy down.
They automatically try to lift their head to look at you.
This is:

Comforting
More natural
Less work than flat on the floor

3. Try tummy time on a rolled towel or small pillow

Put a rolled blanket under their chest with arms forward over it.
This lifts them enough to make it easier, reducing frustration.

4. Do tummy time on your lap

On their tummy, babies experience:

A new view of the world
Opportunities to practice visual tracking
Place baby across your lap, gently supporting their arms forward to encourage lifting their head.

5. Get down to their level

Babies stay calmer when they see a face.
Lie on your stomach directly in front of them and talk, sing, or make silly noises.

6. Elevate their face

Use:

A mirror
High-contrast cards
A musical/light-up toy
Something that moves slowly

Babies tolerate tummy time much better when there’s something interesting to look at.

7. Use Movement

Try:

• Laying baby on tummy over an exercise ball

• Rock gently forward/back or side/side

• This helps them get used to the position without full weight-bearing.

8. Do tummy time when baby is fed + rested

Avoid doing it:

Right after a feed
When they’re overtired
When they’re cold/hot

Best times:

After a nap
After a diaper change
During a playful, alert period

9. Stop before they’re overwhelmed

A little fussing is normal — it’s effort.
But stop when it becomes crying or distressed.
End on a positive note so they don’t form a negative association.

10. Build up slowly

If your baby hates it, start with:

• 1–2 minutes total per day
• Increase by small increments every few days.

Most babies tolerate it much better by 6–8 weeks with gradual exposure.