Introducing Tummy Time to Baby

With all the focus on putting baby to sleep on their back, it’s easy to forget that tummy time is actually pretty important. Though it’s tough to see at first, all those little wiggles and attempts at half-lifts are contributing to baby’s development in major ways, preventing flat spots from forming on the back of their head (a side effect of all that time on their back) and preparing them for a few down-the-road milestones like rolling over and crawling. But if you’re new to this whole parenting gig, you might be wondering what exactly tummy time is and how it works. “It’s a skill—and like any skill baby needs to practice,” says Elizabeth Cilenti, MD, MPH, a pediatrician with Northern Virginia Family Practice. “The only way to get good at tummy time and learn to love it is to start small and keep working consistently on helping baby learn this essential skill—even if they seem to hate it!

So when do you start tummy time? And how often does baby need to “practice?” Read on to learn everything you need to know about the important developmental exercise known as tummy time, straight from experts.

Key Takeaways

• Tummy time is crucial to baby’s motor development, as it helps build head, neck and shoulder strength for upcoming milestones, like rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking.
• You can actually start tummy time with baby as soon as they’re home from the hospital—but they may not like it at first. Start with shorter, frequent sessions and increase the length gradually.
• Start by laying baby on your lap or chest, tummy down, to help them get used to the new position. Then, as they get more comfortable, move to a tummy time mat on the floor.
• To help baby like tummy time, keep them engaged by playing with them, singing songs and using toys.

What Is Tummy Time?

When we talk about tummy time, what exactly do we mean? Suffice to say, tummy time is exactly what it sounds like—time that baby spends on their stomach while awake and supervised. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), placing baby on their tummy encourages them to lift their head, which helps strengthen their head, neck and shoulder muscles and boost motor skills.

Why Is Tummy Time Important?

Tummy time serves a crucial function in baby’s development. In addition to offering a sweet way for you and your little one to bond, there are some major benefits of tummy time, per Cleveland Clinic:

• Practice for milestones like rolling over, sitting upright and crawling
• Strengthens gross motor skills
• Engages lesser-used muscle groups
• Prevents plagiocephaly (aka flat head syndrome)
• Helps baby master head control
• Alleviates gas pain
• Exposes baby to a different environment

When to Start Tummy Time

At what age should you start tummy time? While there’s no prescription for exactly when to begin practicing tummy time, the AAP recommends parents get started on it right away. In fact, babies born at full term with no health issues can start tummy time as early as their first day home from the hospital—so long as you and your newborn are both awake and alert, and you or another caregiver are there to supervise. For babies born prematurely or with any medical issues, discuss when to start tummy time with your pediatrician.

Don’t be surprised if baby hates tummy time and those initial attempts are met with some resistance. “Babies usually don’t like it and get cranky about it,” says Michael McKenna, MD, a pediatrician at St. Vincent Medical Group in Zionsville, Indiana. “The first time, they might only be down there for a minute before they start screaming. It’s about getting them used to being in that position. You’ll probably have to start with short sessions and work your way up.”

How Long Should Tummy Time Last?

Now that you know when to start tummy time (the sooner, the better!), you may be wondering how long each practice session should last—especially since you may need to ladder up. The good news? A little bit of tummy time actually goes a long way. Below, we break down how long tummy time should last, by age.

How much tummy time at one month?

When it comes to newborn tummy time, aim for two to three sessions a day for three to five minutes at a time, ideally after a nap or diaper change and as part of playtime. “You can stop or take breaks in there if baby is having a tough time,” says Ashanti Woods, MD, a pediatrician at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, Maryland.

Keep in mind, of course, that this is a general guide and can vary from baby to baby—just like most other aspects of baby’s development, notes Anna Rueda, MD, a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Pediatrics in Pearland, Texas.

How much tummy time at 2 months?

As baby gets older and begins to enjoy this “workout,” gradually ramp up the number and duration of newborn tummy time sessions. Aim for two to three sessions per day and a total of 10 to 20 minutes, Rueda.

How much tummy time at 3 months?

Aim for around two to three sessions and a total of 20 to 30 minutes per day of infant tummy time by the time they’re 3 months old, Rueda says.

How much tummy time at 4 months?

By 4 months old, Rueda says baby should have three to four sessions of tummy time per day, for a total of 30 to 40 minutes per day.

Remember, it doesn’t have to happen in one long session. Keep the practice up until baby can roll over on their own—a feat many babies accomplish around 4 to 6 months of age. “As baby ages, you can slowly increase the length and frequency of tummy time with a minimum goal of about 60 to 90 minutes per day by the time they are 6 months old,” Rueda says. Even then, you may consider keeping tummy time practice a part of your regular routine; it’ll help them as they start learning to crawl.

Infant Tummy Time Chart By Age

Below, a chart that offers a general overview of infant tummy time by age:

How to Do Tummy Time With a Newborn

Like most exercises, tummy time is pretty straightforward, but it’s a skill baby will need to practice and build on. To do tummy time with a newborn, first you’ll need to set up a safe space to lay baby down. At the start, it may be helpful to have baby laying tummy-down on your lap or chest to help them adjust to the new position. As they get comfortable, transition tummy time to a blanket or a tummy time mat on a firm, flat surface (like the floor.)

It’s very possible baby may become fussy, especially as a newborn, as they can’t quite lift their head yet. To keep them distracted and engaged, make eye contact and play around with them, using funny faces and toys; seeing your face can be incentive enough for baby to try lifting their head from your body.

Tummy time positions

There are a few tummy time positions to help mix things up for baby. According to Rueda, the best tummy time positions are:

Traditional

This is when baby is placed on their tummy on a clean, flat and firm floor surface.

Tummy to tummy

This is when the parent or caregiver is reclined and holds baby on their own tummy or chest, so baby is facing them.

Tummy down carrying position

Also known as the “football hold,” this is when the caregiver holds baby like a football, balancing their tummy on your arm with their legs and arms on either side. (Be sure to support baby’s back and neck with your other hand.) This is a good beginner option for babies who resist any and all tummy time.

Lap tummy time

This is when a caregiver is seated and holding baby tummy down on their lap. Use your hands to support baby’s head and neck in this position.

Tummy time with a rolled towel

This is when baby is placed with their tummy down on the floor, but with a small rolled towel under their arms for support.

“The most important tip to keep in mind is that an infant should always be awake and supervised by a parent or caregiver during tummy time,” Rueda says. Plus, if baby falls asleep on their tummy, always make sure to put them on their back to sleep, Cilenti adds.

Tummy Time Tips

In a perfect world, baby will push up and move around on their own during tummy time. But chances are, they’ll need some sort of stimulation to stay engaged. Here are some tummy time moves and distraction to try:

• Use special tummy time toys. Pull out one or two novel tummy time toys and place them just out of reach, so baby has to extend themselves to grab them. You can also try holding a brightly colored stuffed animal or shaking a rattle near baby’s face to distract them from the task at hand.

• Use a mirror. Do you have an unbreakable baby mirror from a playmat or toy? Put this in front of baby’s face. They may enjoy seeing their reflection during tummy time.

• Get in on the tummy time action. If your little one isn’t happy about exercising alone, you can join the activity. “Lay down there with baby,” McKenna suggests. “Move their hands around, have them feel new things, read to them or put down different-colored blankets—something to keep it interesting for baby.” You can also enlist a sibling to entertain baby. This worked for The Bump community member nfrtny: “My son didn’t like tummy time very much either, so when I noticed him getting frustrated I would just lay on the floor with him, talk to him, smile at him, sing to him, etc., just to keep him occupied, and he’s really happy after that!”

• Use your body. Tummy time on the floor might not be baby’s thing for a while. If this is the case, you can use your own body as baby’s personal tummy time mat. Place baby across your lap, belly down. Use your hand to rub their back or offer gentle, rhythmic pats. You can also try laying down on your back and placing baby tummy down on your belly. “I’ve found that our son hates tummy time on the floor, but he doesn’t resist as much if we put him on our bed. (I move our big fluffy comforter and put a thin fuzzy blanket down on it.) He’s much more content there,” shares The Bump community member meep13. “He’s not rolling or anything, so I don’t worry too much now but once he starts rolling we’ll have to find something different.” Of course, regardless of baby’s mobility, it’s important to stay with baby while they’re on an elevated surface.

• Prop baby up. If baby doesn’t like being flat on their tummy, you can try propping them with a nursing pillow under their chest at first. This will hopefully get them used to the position, so that you can eventually (and gradually) remove any props. With or without a pillow, remember to always keep an eye on baby while they’re practicing tummy time. “We put our son on [a breastfeeding pillow] for tummy time,” says kklickka, a community member on The Bump. “If he’s on the floor he can’t lift his head, but he does great on the Boppy.”

What if baby still hates tummy time? Don’t stress—and don’t give up. “Like many things with children, it’s okay to step back, take a break and come back to tummy time,” advises Woods. “Take a couple of days or a week off, and try again later. You’ll likely see success after you take a breather.” Also consider shortening sessions and spacing tummy time out throughout the day to make the task a little more bearable for baby. A little here and there will all add up. “As long as they’re doing some [tummy time], it’ll have some benefit,” McKenna points out.

Incorporating tummy time into your daily routine with baby might feel daunting at first—especially if they fight the activity. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your little one right away. Gradually, they’ll get used to this position, and you’ll find a few creative ways to squeeze in some practice.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.