Tummy Time Tips

Tummy Time is any activity or position where your baby is on his or her stomach and off the back of their head. It can be completed in a variety of different positions to improve tolerance for your baby and should be started as a newborn.  Having your baby spend time on his or her stomach is good for developing back and neck muscles needed to achieve gross motor milestones (such as rolling and sitting up), preventing muscle tightness, and preventing flat spots from developing on your baby’s head.   In addition, it can help develop your baby’s sensory awareness and vision.  Feeling different textures (such as blankets and carpets) on their arms, hands and faces can help with your baby’s sense of touch.  It will also improve their body awareness and hand-eye coordination.  By looking down at their hands, your baby is seeing how they move and what they can do!  

How much time should my baby spend in Tummy Time?

The initiation of the Safe to Sleep Campaign encouraged parents to have their infants sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.  Although successful in preventing sudden infant death syndrome, it resulted in an increase in flat head syndrome and hesitation to complete tummy time.   According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 90 minutes a day of tummy time is directly related to improved gross motor skills.  A cumulative 90 minutes of tummy time by the time your child is 4 months, can sound daunting and down right impossible.  Its important to start with short durations several times a day and slowly increase.  This will make that 90-minute goal more achievable.   

 Ways to improve tolerance:

Tummy time can be challenging for your little one, especially in the beginning.  It’s a good idea to start with a little and often approach.  Try having your baby in tummy time for short periods of time, possibly even a minute or two at a time, frequently throughout the day.  Incorporate it into your daily routine.  For example, after every diaper change try having some period of tummy time.  It will take time for your little one to develop confidence and strengthen their muscles during tummy time.  

Positions that may help improve tolerance to tummy time:

• Put a small pillow or rolled towel/blanket under your baby’s chest.  This will make it easier for your child to lift and turn his or her head while in tummy time. 

• Put your baby over your lap while sitting or lower leg while sitting on the floor. To make it easier for your child to lift and turn his or her head, slightly lift the leg that your child chest is supported by. This will make it easier for your little one to lift his or her head.
• Put your child on an exercise ball/yoga ball. Make sure to have a good hold over your baby and gently roll the ball in all directions. This will make tummy time more fun and changes the usual tummy time routine up a bit.
• Hold your baby facing away from you.  This will encourage your child to actively turn his or her head and improve neck strength.

General Tips:

• Get down to your baby’s eye level to encourage eye contact.  Your little one will love to see your face and hear your voice.
• Place a hand on your baby’s bottom while in tummy time.  This gentle touch, which will help to calm and soothe.
• Try playing or singing soothing music and engaging with liked toys.
• Consider propping a mirror up in front of your baby during tummy time.  Babies love to look at themselves so this can help improve their tolerance.
• Although there are so many options of “containers” that you can put your baby in, such as a bouncy seat, swing, Bumbo seat, jumper, walker, etc., the best place to put your child is on the floor!
• Side lying is a good alternative and rest position when your baby is tired of tummy time.  Place a towel roll or pillow behind your child when in this position to improve comfort and tolerance.

If your child continues to have difficulty tolerating tummy time despite trying some of these tips, please please reach out to us for additional education!  Early identification of weakness and gross motor delays is key in treatment!