Everything You Need To Know About Tummy Time

Before being a parent, you may have heard of 'tummy time' and wondered what it is all about. Whether you are a first-time parent or not, in this post, you will learn all about tummy time for babies.

What is tummy time?

Tummy time is a mini playtime for your newborn in which you place them on their stomach to play. Doing tummy time helps your baby develop the muscles necessary for lifting their head and eventually for sitting up, crawling, and walking. During tummy time, your baby must always be awake and under your close supervision.

When should your baby start tummy time?

It is recommended that babies start tummy time the very day they come home from the hospital. 

How long should tummy time be done each day?

Encourage your baby to work their way up to a total of 15 minutes of tummy time every day, or you can spread it across to two to three sessions a day with each session lasting three to five minutes, under your careful watch. As your baby gets older, you can leave them on their belly for longer stretches as the older baby needs more time on their tummy to develop strength. 

When and how to do tummy time?

The best time for tummy time is after your baby wakes up from a nap or following a diaper change. Try to get your baby on their belly for three to five minutes, two to three times per day. Once your baby starts to enjoy tummy time, work up to longer and more frequent sessions throughout the day. By 2 months of age, your baby should be getting about 15 to 30 minutes total of tummy time daily. Here is how to perform tummy time:

• place your baby on their tummy at a clear area — on a playmat or clean towel
• place a rolled-up towel under your baby's arms to help prop them up slightly
• put a toy within their reach to help them interact with their surroundings and learn to play

Your baby needs to be on their belly, but, what they do not need is to be sleeping on their belly. Your baby should always sleep on their back to avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Ways to enhance tummy time

• get down on the floor with your baby — face to face or side by side.
• place an unbreakable mirror in front of your baby so they can fascinate and see their face.
• entice your baby with fun toys by spreading them in a circle so your baby will try to reach for them, which helps develop all the different, important muscles for sitting up, crawling, and walking.
• place your baby on your tummy while you lie on your back but watch out for drools!

Tummy time benefits

• tummy time helps prevent flat spots from forming on the back of your little one's head
• it enables your baby to work different muscles than those used on their back. By doing push-ups, your baby will strengthen the muscles on the arms, shoulders, upper back, and neck and eventually will allow your baby to lift their head.
• sets the stage for motor skills such as reaching, rolling over, sitting up, and crawling.

Here are some playmat recommendations to boost your baby's tummy time.

Infantino Giant Sensory Discovery Playmat

Little Wiwa Signatur Rosa Små Playmat

Ggumbi 3 in 1 Transformation Bed

bblüv Mülti Reversible Playmat