Here's everything you need to know about tummy time.
Tummy time is so much more than just a playtime with your baby. It's actually an essential activity to help your baby build strength and work on motor skill development.
Essentially, tummy time means laying babies on their stomachs for brief periods while they're awake. It's an important way to help babies strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles, and improve their motor skills.
Always remember: NEVER leave your baby unattended during tummy time, and never put your baby to sleep on their tummy.
Everything you need to know about tummy time
Tummy time is good for:
- Newborns and babies aged between 1 and 3 months old who are just developing neck control. Tummy time helps develop the muscles they'll need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk.
- Older babies aged between 4 and 7 months old should also still spend some supervised time on their bellies, even if they can roll over and sit with some help. Tummy time helps them practice lifting their head and chest further by straightening their arms. This strengthens arm, chest, and back muscles.
- If your newborn has tight neck muscles that stops them from turning their head, tummy time will encourage them to look around, and along with exercises your doctor will show you, can help your baby's neck muscles relax.
- Babies often develop flat head syndrome from spending too much time on their backs in the first few months of life. This can cause a flat spot, either on one side or the back of the head. Tummy time helps alleviate this.
How do I do tummy time?
- For newborns: Start newborns on tummy time by placing them belly-down on your chest or across your lap for a few minutes at a time, two or three times a day. While lying on their belly, they can practice lifting their head and strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles. As your baby gets used to it, you can go for a little longer.
- Older babies: Place a blanket down in a clear area on the floor, and lie your baby on their stomach on the blanket for 3–5 minutes to start, several times each day. Your baby may get fussy and frustrated in this position, but it's important to persevere. Keep the first sessions of tummy time brief and gradually lengthen them. Top tip: It's better to do tummy time when your baby is fed, changed, and happy. As your baby gets more used to it, extend the periods gradually. Experts recommend that babies work up to about 1 hour of tummy time a day by the time they're 3 months old. Make some noises or shake a rattle to get your child to look up and push up. Place a favourite toy in front of your baby to encourage reaching and forward movement.
- For babies with a stiff neck or a flat spot: Lay them on your lap for tummy time. Position your baby with their head turned away from you, then talk or sing to your baby. Encourage your little one to turn and face you. Do this exercise for 10–15 minutes.
Important rules of tummy time
- Never leave your baby alone during tummy time.
- Always place babies on their backs (never on their bellies) to sleep to help prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
- Do tummy time on a low, safe surface. Don't put your baby on a sofa or bed, where they could roll off or suffocate on pillows or a soft surface.
- If your baby doesn't seem to enjoy tummy time, add some variety. Sing songs, keep colourful toys nearby, or get down on the floor and eye-to-eye with your baby.
Don't give up
It's normal for your baby to fuss and cry at first during tummy time, but it's important to persevere.
Tummy time is important for their development, and some babies just need a little extra time to get used to it.
