Tummy Time

TUMMY TIME FAST FACTS

Tummy Time promotes neck and shoulder muscle development.
Tummy Time helps to prevent plagiocephaly (flat spots)
Tummy Time should always be supervised
If baby falls asleep while practicing Tummy Time, they should be placed to sleep on their back in a crib.

Continue reading below to learn more…

What is Tummy Time?

Tummy time refers to placing an infant on their stomach while awake and supervised. This activity helps babies build the strength needed to meet important developmental milestones, such as lifting their heads, rolling over, and eventually crawling.

How does Tummy Time Support Safe Sleep?

Strengthens Neck and Shoulder Muscles — Tummy Time helps babies develop their muscles in their neck and shoulders, which are crucial for reducing the risk of positional asphyxiation and helping them to move their heads more freely while sleeping.

Reduces the Risk of Flat Head Syndrome (Plagiocephaly) — Because infants sleep on their backs, extended periods of time laying in that position can sometimes cause a flat spot to develop on the back of the baby’s head. Tummy time helps to alleviate this by giving babies a different position throughout the day.

Encourages Motor Development — Stronger muscles from tummy time support rolling, which helps babies reposition themselves if they happen to move into an unsafe sleep position.

The Benefits of Tummy Time

Shared with permission from Baby Begin (www.babybegin.com)

What else can I do to prevent flat spots?

There are a few things you can do to prevent flat spots beyond tummy time. Most importantly, when your baby is awake, limit the amount of time they are in car seats, carriers, swings, bouncers, and other sitting devices where their head is resting on a surface. You can limit their time in sitting devices by holding them upright when they are not sleeping.

You can also help combat flat spots in the sleeping environment by changing the direction the baby sleeps in their crib week to week. For example, have baby’s feet point toward one end of the crib one week, then have the feet point toward the other end of the crib the next week. But remember, babies should always be on their backs to sleep.

How to practice Tummy Time Safely & Effectively

Start Early and Keep It Short

You can start Tummy Time as soon as you bring baby home! Start with a few minutes each day and gradually work up to longer periods of time. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that by 7 weeks of age, babies should have between 15 and 30 minutes of tummy time daily.

Awake & Supervised

Ensure tummy time is always done while the baby is awake and under direct supervision to keep baby safe. If baby falls asleep during tummy time, be sure to remove them from their tummy time area and place them in their crib, bassinet, or play yard on their back to sleep.

Use Engaging Toys & Interaction

Place toys, mirrors, or your face in front of your baby to encourage them to lift their head and engage during tummy time.

Incorporate Tummy Time into Daily Routines

Begin with a few minutes after diaper changes or naps and gradually increase the duration as your baby gets stronger.