Infant Development
Is Tummy Time Really That Important?
There is so much to do in those early days of new parenthood. Your baby needs constant attention - feeding, changing, rocking, burping, bathing. You feel so much love but also so much exhaustion. And then there is the list of things that you are told to do so your baby can thrive - reading to them, singing to them, doing tummy time. In the haze of those busy newborn days, tummy time can often feel like an afterthought. We’re told to do it every day but aren’t usually told why it matters or how to do it properly. Here are some things parents should know about tummy time.
- Written By
- Dr. Anjuli Gans
What It Is
“Tummy time” is helping babies spend brief amounts of supervised time on their stomach. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents place babies in this position regularly every day to support their motor development.
A Little History of Tummy Time
In 1994, the AAP launched their “Back to Sleep” campaign - encouraging babies to sleep on their backs only in an effort to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It was a very successful initiative. But as babies started to spend more time on their backs (almost 10-12 hours a day for many newborns), they also started to demonstrate increased rates of plagiocephaly, a flat spot on parts of their heads, and torticollis, a tightened neck muscle. To prevent these unintended effects, the AAP also started recommending daily tummy time for babies.
3 Reasons Why It Is Important
Tummy time may seem like a small thing, but it can make a big difference for your baby. Here’s how:
• It can improve skull deformities. Conditions like positional plagiocephaly, where the skull develops a flat spot in one area, can happen when babies are in the same position for prolonged periods of time. And torticollis, a tightening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, can be exacerbated without regular changes in position and muscle strength in the head and neck. Tummy time allows babies’ heads to alternate positions while strengthening head, neck, and core muscles, improving these conditions.
• It supports motor skills. Babies who spend time in different positions develop and strengthen their head, neck, arms, and back muscles. They also support core strength with increased time in the prone position. All of these large muscle groups work together to help babies lift their heads and necks, roll, crawl, and improve their gross motor skills. Studies have shown that babies who spent more time on their tummies reach milestones like rolling and crawling earlier.
• It nurtures other sensory development. Babies who spend more time on their tummies experience the world from a different perspective. Their bodies experience different sensations, their hands explore new objects and surfaces, and their eyes see a variety of new stimuli. Developmental domains are all connected, and tummy time can play an important role in that growth from day one.
How To Do Tummy Time
When it comes to tummy time, parents often have questions like “How many minutes a day should I do it?” or “What is the best way to do it”? Here are some tips to help.
• Start Slowly. Remember that the most important thing is that you’re trying a little bit regularly. When your baby is awake (think about each wake period for newborns), fed, and content, place them into a position that allows them to practice. Then increase time slowly (the AAP recommends that infants start with 2-3 times a day, for 3-5 minutes each time, but many newborns take time to get here) as they get more comfortable.
• Be Safe. Place them on a flat surface like a playmat or carpet (the ground is typically safer than an elevated surface like a bed or changing table). It doesn’t have to be fancy - the key is to have a safe place where you can supervise closely.
• Work With Your Baby. Every baby is different and has different comfort levels with new positions. Go at your baby’s pace. Don’t force them if they seem uncomfortable or if they are crying - pick them up, comfort them, and try again a bit later.
For newborns, you can try a few different positions. Holding them at your chest and allowing them to lift their head up (and look over your shoulder), laying them belly down across your lap, or placing them on a carpet or playmat are all positions that support tummy time. Roll a towel into a C-shape and place your newborn’s arms or chest on it to prop them up if needed. It is also important to help them into other positions on their side (side-lying) as well - this allows them to strengthen different groups of core muscles.
• Babies 2-4 months old will generally be able to tolerate longer stretches of tummy time. They have better head control at this age and are more aware of their surroundings. Babies at this age can also see more, so they may start focusing on objects or faces in front of them while they are doing tummy time, making it a more multisensory experience for them.
• At 4-6 months, babies continue developing their core muscles. Many start rolling in one direction and reaching for objects at this age. You can place brightly colored objects just in front of them to make their tummy time more interactive.
• As babies continue to grow, tummy time may evolve into rolling or crawling time. Tummy time becomes much more integrated into babies’ play time, and you will start to see these muscles work together in even more fun ways!
What If Your Baby Needs More Support
Some babies do struggle with tummy time, even with a lot of patience and time. If you notice that your infant is regularly resisting tummy time or side-lying positions, not making some progress, seems very uncomfortable or is inconsolable during it, talk with your care team for more evaluation and potential referral to a pediatric physical therapy.
Additionally, babies with other medical conditions - reflux, prematurity, chronic medical conditions requiring G-tubes or medical devices, conditions affecting their neurologic system, etc. may need additional support. Talk with your pediatrician for their recommendations, and feel free to ask for referrals or resources to help support your child’s motor development.
I know there is so much to think about when our babies are young, and we’re often just trying to get through the days. Starting small and incorporating little activities into those days can make a big difference for your baby. And, at the end of these days, no matter how much tummy time you did with your little one, know that you’re the best parent for them and that you’re doing a great job.
DR. ANJULI GANS
Anjuli Srivastava Gans, MD, is founder of Resilient Rascals and an attending physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. As a leading expert on early childhood health + development, she hopes to bridge the gap between parents’ instincts and practical medical care that they can use at home. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children. For more advice from Dr. Gans check out her tips on traveling with kids or coughs and colds.