Tummy Time: What is it and Why is it Important?

What is tummy time?

If you are a new parent, you’ve probably heard about tummy time. Tummy time involves placing your baby on their stomach when they are awake, which helps strengthen their muscles, protect the shape of their head, and improve their motor skills. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the benefits of supervised tummy time, when to start, how to make it more enjoyable for your baby, and when to ask for help. Let’s dive in!

What are the benefits of tummy time?

Tummy time has many benefits for:

• Newborns: Tummy time is great for newborn babies learning how to move and control their heads. It also helps to develop the muscles they need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk when they are older.
• Older babies: For older babies, tummy time is good practice for lifting their head and chest further by straightening their arms. This helps to develop their arm, chest, and back muscles. It also improves their stability and encourages movements such as reaching and pivoting, making tummy time important for their overall physical development.
• Babies with flat head syndrome: If your baby spends too much time on their back within the first few months of life, they can develop flat head syndrome. This can cause a flat spot, either on one side or on the back of your baby’s head. Tummy time gives your child breaks from laying in the same position for long periods of time, which can help prevent or improve flat head syndrome.
• Babies with torticollis: Torticollis is a condition that causes a stiff neck and tight neck muscles. Tummy time encourages babies to look around and move their heads. Along with other exercises, this can help your baby’s neck muscles relax.

When can I start doing tummy time?

Supervised tummy time should start soon after birth and be incorporated into a daily routine. It has been found that the earlier babies start regular tummy time sessions, the more they enjoy it and the longer they can manage it. 

Be mindful about when you’re doing tummy time. Choose a time of day when your baby is well-rested and has the energy that tummy time requires. Make sure to wait at least 20 minutes after feeding so milk has time to digest and does not come back up. It’s also a good idea to change your baby beforehand so they are happy and comfortable.

Begin with a minute or two of tummy time a few times a day and slowly increase as your baby becomes stronger. Over time, you can gradually build up to longer tummy time sessions several times a day. Experts recommend that babies work up to around one hour of tummy time during the day before they are three months old. 

During tummy time, make noises or play with some toys to get your child’s attention. Encourage them to look up and reach forward to develop their motor skills.

Always remember to supervise your baby when they are on their stomach. If your baby falls asleep during tummy time, quickly flip them over to return them to a safe sleep position. If your baby has a large head or was born early, they may find tummy time more difficult and take more time to improve. Keep trying – consistency is key!

What if my baby doesn’t like tummy time?

At first, your baby may only be able to tolerate a minute or two of tummy time before getting frustrated and fussy. If your baby hates tummy time, try to distract them. You can get down on the floor with your baby, use their favourite toys, and sing and talk to them.

You could also try a different position to see if your baby finds this any easier. Other positions for tummy time include:

• Chest to chest on the floor.
• On your lap.
• Over your arm.
• Over a rolled towel placed under your baby’s chest.
• On their play mat.

If nothing seems to be helping, don’t give up! With daily practice, your baby will get much better at tummy time.

When to get help

Remember, it is completely normal for your baby to find tummy time difficult to begin with. Their heads are heavy, and tummy time is hard for them. As they grow and their muscles become stronger, tummy time becomes easier. However, if you are still concerned or experience any of the following, speak with your doctor or paediatrician as soon as possible:

• Your baby is eight weeks of age and isn’t improving at tummy time.
• Your baby feels very stiff or very floppy.
• Your baby is developing a misshapen head or only turns their head to one side.
• Your baby is not moving both sides of their body equally.

We hope that you have found this information helpful! If you would like to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out to us on 02 9891 2222 or email us at mail@reggioemilia.com.au. At selected Reggio Emilia Early Learning Centres, we also offer Baby & Me Connections sessions – a nurturing program designed for parents and their babies to bond, learn, and grow together. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of, don’t hesitate to enquire now!