When to Start Tummy Time for Your Baby?

Every parent wants to give their baby the best start—but what if one simple daily activity could shape your little one’s development in surprising ways? Tummy Time for Your Baby might seem basic, but the timing can make all the difference. So, when to start tummy time for your baby? The answer might not be what you expect…

TL;DR

Tummy time is a simple yet essential activity that supports your baby’s physical and cognitive development. Starting from the first days of life with supervision, it strengthens muscles, prevents flat head syndrome, and enhances motor skills. Safe practice involves firm surfaces, short sessions, constant supervision, and respecting your baby’s comfort and cues. Avoid common mistakes like letting baby sleep on their tummy, over-bundling, or ignoring signs of discomfort.

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What Are the Benefits of Starting Tummy Time Early?

Starting tummy time with supervision can significantly impact your baby’s development. While it may seem simple, its benefits are broad and essential for healthy growth. Below are the reasons why early tummy time is one of the best choices you can make.

Muscle Strengthening

Supervised tummy time helps strengthen the baby’s neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. These are vital for achieving milestones like rolling, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. When babies push with their arms or try to lift their heads, they’re building the muscle control they’ll need later.

Preventing Positional Plagiocephaly

Although babies should sleep on their backs to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), constantly lying in this position can cause a flat spot on the head. Tummy time when the baby is awake and supervised relieves pressure on the skull and encourages head movement.

Sensory and Visual Stimulation

Being on their tummy gives babies a new perspective and encourages them to explore their surroundings. This helps stimulate vision, improve spatial awareness, and strengthen hand-eye coordination, especially as they reach for objects.

Digestive Support

Tummy time may help relieve gas and support digestion. This position can reduce mild abdominal discomfort, especially in babies with colic or frequent gas.

Starting tummy time early, with supervision, offers many benefits for a baby’s development. It’s a complete experience that activates both the body and senses.

Physical Development

Tummy time is more than a position—it’s a tool for physical growth. Being placed on their tummy with supervision plays a key role in building strength and developing motor skills. Here’s how it supports healthy physical progress.

Tummy time can be easily incorporated into daily routines using practical techniques that prepare babies for a strong and active future.

How to Safely Practice Tummy Time

Tummy time supports healthy development when done safely. Follow these simple tips to start the practice effectively.

Start Safely

• Firm, stable surface: Lay your baby on a blanket on the floor or your chest while reclining. These stable surfaces help reduce risks.
• Avoid soft surfaces: Don’t place the baby on beds, pillows, or sofas, which may increase the risk of suffocation.

Begin Early and Build Gradually

• Start soon: Begin tummy time shortly after birth, ideally when your baby is awake, alert, and calm—even a few seconds after a diaper change can help.
• Increase over time: Start with short 1–2 minute sessions several times daily, then extend as the baby becomes stronger and more comfortable.

Use Comfortable Positions

Try different positions to make tummy time easier:

• On your chest
• On your lap while sitting
• With a rolled towel under the baby’s chest and arms for support

Make It Fun and Stimulating

• Engage: Talk to your baby, use expressive faces and sounds, and offer colorful toys to make it enjoyable.
• Play: Place toys in front of them and move them slowly to encourage head lifting and reaching.

Always Supervise

Keep a close eye on your baby, especially in the early months. Stay nearby and ready to respond.

Build it Into the Routine

Include tummy time in regular moments like:

• After diaper changes
• After naps
• Before bath time

Adding it naturally to your daily rhythm helps the baby adjust easily.

With consistent, safe practice, tummy time can become one of the most rewarding and beneficial moments of your baby’s day.

Signs That Your Baby Is Ready for Tummy Time

Recognizing when your baby is ready makes tummy time safer and more effective. Look for the following signs that show your baby is prepared to increase their time on their tummy:

1. Can roll over independently: When your baby can flip from back to tummy and vice versa, they’ve developed the control to be in this position more comfortably.
2. Lifts head and holds it up: Around three months, many babies begin holding their heads up for short periods during tummy time.
3. Shows curiosity: If your baby looks at and tries to reach for toys while on their tummy, they’re eager to explore and engage.
4. Stays longer without distress: As your baby becomes more used to the position, they’ll spend more time on their tummy without fussing.

Paying attention to these signals helps guide a safe and enjoyable tummy time routine that grows with your baby.

Common Tummy Time Mistakes to Avoid

Tummy time is helpful, but mistakes can reduce its effectiveness or pose risks. Avoid the following to ensure a safe experience:

Avoiding these common issues ensures tummy time stays safe, enriching, and enjoyable. Pay attention to your baby’s cues and adjust as needed.

Key Takeaways

1. Tummy Time Is Crucial from the Start
   • Puede iniciarse desde los primeros días de vida, siempre con supervisión.
   • Es fundamental para el desarrollo físico, motor, sensorial y digestivo del bebé.
2. Major Benefits of Early Tummy Time
   • Fortalece los músculos del cuello, hombros y brazos.
   • Previene la plagiocefalia posicional (aplanamiento de la cabeza).
   • Estimula la visión, la coordinación ojo-mano y el desarrollo sensorial.
   • Puede ayudar a aliviar los gases y mejorar el tránsito intestinal.
3. Supports Key Areas of Physical Development
   • Mejora el control de la cabeza y la estabilidad corporal.
   • Facilita hitos motores como rodar, sentarse, gatear y caminar.
   • Fomenta habilidades motoras finas, como el alcance y agarre de objetos.
   • Puede adaptarse fácilmente a la rutina diaria mediante técnicas simples.
4. How to Safely Practice Tummy Time
   • Usa una superficie firme y estable; evita camas o sofás.
   • Comienza con sesiones cortas (1–2 minutos), aumentando gradualmente.
   • Variar posiciones (pecho del cuidador, piernas, con apoyo) mejora la comodidad.
   • Acompaña con estimulación visual y auditiva para mantener el interés.
   • Nunca dejes al bebé sin supervisión durante esta actividad.
5. Signs Your Baby Is Ready for Tummy Time
   • Puede girarse solo de boca arriba a boca abajo.
   • Levanta la cabeza por unos segundos al estar boca abajo.
   • Muestra curiosidad e intenta alcanzar objetos.
   • Tolera la posición por más tiempo sin llorar.
6. Common Mistakes to Avoid
   • Hacer dormir al bebé boca abajo (incrementa riesgo de SMSL).
   • Usar superficies blandas o resbaladizas.
   • Falta de supervisión directa.
   • Abrigar al bebé en exceso.
   • No respetar las señales de incomodidad o frustración.
   • No aprovechar el tiempo para estimular el desarrollo motor y cognitivo.
7. Incorporar tummy time como parte de la rutina diaria con un enfoque seguro, gradual y positivo mejora significativamente el desarrollo integral del bebé.

Sources

• Grada, E. (2023). Tummy time in infants. Arch Argent Pediatr, 121(6), e202310119.

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q

• Hewitt, L., Stanley, R. M., Cliff, D., & Okely, A. D. (2019). Objective measurement of tummy time in infants (0-6 months): a validation study. PLoS One, 14(2), e0210977.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0210977