Tummy time for Babies

Tummy time! So good for babies but it can be stressful for parents!

I'm a physiotherapist with 15 years experience helping babies with tummy time. Let me help you understand more about tummy time by answering the most common questions I get asked about tummy time for babies. 

What is tummy time for babies?

Tummy time describes awake play time with the baby lying on their stomach (prone). When your baby lies on their tummy they push through the arms and lift the head. Importantly this strengthens the muscles of the neck, shoulders, back and arms. It helps them to develop head control (the ability to hold their head steady). Tummy time also gives them a different view of the world, when your baby experiences more, they learn more! For example they learn how to focus their eyes in this position, and they learn how to coordinate the muscles in their bodies to start to MOVE forwards!

Why is tummy time important for babies?

Most babies first learn to move towards the things they want to explore in a prone or tummy time position. This is VERY important for the development of their play skills because your baby can then start to independently explore toys, spaces and choose how they interact with the world.

It might not look like much;

• Rolling towards a toy they want to explore, for a blog all about rolling click here.
• Pivoting (turning in a circle tummy down) towards a sibling playing next to them
• Creeping (commando crawling) towards a new section of the play space they want to explore 
• Crawling on hands and knees to greet a parent and ask to be picked up

These milestones are GOLD! They help your baby develop independence, to explore, learn and play! As a parent they are really fun milestones to watch as you get an insight into your developing baby's personality. Are they drawn to explore the ball or the book? Do they move quickly or do they watch first then cautiously explore? How do they move inside versus when they are outside? 

Why does my baby hate tummy time? 

If your baby cries during tummy time you are not alone! I see lots of families who are finding tummy time difficult. In most cases the baby is crying because tummy time is difficult for them. It can be especially tricky if your baby has learnt that tummy time is hard work and then cries immediately when you place them on their tummy. In this case you may need some individualised advice from inside our Baby Membership or from your local paediatric physiotherapist. 

For those babies who are finding tummy time difficult I have some tips to make things easier fro you:

1. Increase the amount of support to make tummy time easier. Scroll down for some examples of how to position your baby to make this position easier. Don't progress back to a flat tummy position on the floor until your baby is tolerating a few minutes of supported tummy time at a time without becoming upset. Move gently out of this position before they get upset, don't wait until cry, we don't want your baby to learn that the only way to move is to cry for help!

2. Change the timing to very short frequent tummy time play sessions when your baby is at their very best. This might look like just 30 seconds of happy tummy time on your chest after a feed. Keep it very short and very gentle and build slowly from there.

3. Use your body to support your baby. Tummy time on you is a lovely easy way to challenge your baby while offering support; physically and emotionally! Scroll down for some images if this in action. Use your tummy, chest and legs and remember carrying positions are tummy time too!

For lots more simple ways to enjoy tummy time without tears check out our e-guide, sold separately here or available FREE in our Baby Membership along with the chance to ask any questions from our physiotherapist Alison. 

Is tummy time needed for crawling?

Tummy time helps to strengthen the muscles that your baby needs to develop these early locomotor milestones. Play on the tummy helps them learn to balance in this position as they move their arms and legs. It also helps them learn how to co-ordinate the movements of the arms and legs so they actually move forwards (hint: going backwards first is typical). Babies learn by playing and experimenting with movement so the more time they spend happily playing in this position the better. 

Some babies do learn to crawl in the second half of their first year even though they didn't play happily on their tummy in their first 6 months. However a common presentation to a paediatric physiotherapist is for a delay in these early locomotor skills for babies who haven't done tummy time. For this reason the World Health Organisation advises "at least 30 minutes in prone position (tummy time) spread throughout the day while awake" (Read here for more Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age). 

What tummy time DOES NOT have to be is stressful, hard or make your baby cry! Read on for lots of tips to make tummy time an easy, fun part of your baby's day. 

Do newborn babies need tummy time?

YES! Newborn babies can't move independently between positions. They are reliant on you to position them. Tummy time is one of many positions you can place your baby in for play and connection time. There are many benefits specific to tummy time as listed above. Starting tummy time very early and very gently will make playtime in this position as easy for your baby to tolerate as lying on their back or side. It is just another way to position your baby to connect with them - it is not something you need to put on your "to do" list!

Tummy time is particularly important for newborn babies because it helps to prevent (and treat) plagiocephaly (flattening of the head) and torticollis (neck tightness). The very soft baby skull flattens quickly with repeated pressure on the same spot. Tummy Time helps to change which area the pressure is on preventing flattening. Tummy time also strengthens the neck muscles making sure your baby can turn both ways preventing torticollis. You can read more about plagiocephaly and torticollis in this blog.  

Does tummy time have to be on the floor? 

Definitely not! Starting tummy time with the support of a gentle slope will make tummy time a lot easier for your baby and therefore mean they are more likely to enjoy it!

1. A slope underneath your baby makes it easier for them to lift their head. To create a slope you might use your chest, legs, a pillow or a pregnancy wedge, here are some examples.   

2. A small roll underneath the chest can help newborns to keep the elbows directly under the shoulders making it much easier for their shoulder muscles to work. Here are some examples of a well positioned newborn. 

3. Use your body- tummy time on Mum, Dad or sibling is wonderful because your baby is close and will feel supported. A few minutes after a feed is a really easy way to fit in those tummy time minutes each day. 

How much tummy time do babies need? 

There is no maximum amount but a minimum of 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day is the current recommendation for babies who are not yet creeping or crawling. This absolutely doesn't have to be in 1 go!! Definitely space the tummy time out over the whole day in whatever length sessions your baby is tolerating. For example, 2 minutes on the change table after each nappy change, 5 minutes twice a day during a little playtime session and 2-3 minutes straight after a feed and you are done for the day!

What age do babies need tummy time?

Start from day 1! Cuddling your baby on your chest after a feed with their tummy on your chest and you comfortably reclined on a chair would be a very gentle easy way to start tummy time. You and your baby both need to be comfortable, there should be no tears!  

Should I use a tummy time pillow? 

Using a pillow can help to create the gentle slope mentioned above. Many commercial tummy time pillows are way too big and make tummy time more difficult.

Here is an example of a baby positioned over a pillow in a way that will actually make tummy time harder. Notice baby's arms draped forwards, try it yourself this makes lifting your head harder. 

Below is how I would recommend using the pillow instead. Still under the chest to make it easier for your baby to look around and have more to see but with elbows in a vertical line under the shoulders. 

 Should newborns with reflux still do tummy time?

Yes definitely. Babies do often bring up small amounts of milk (posset) when there is pressure on the belly (and a lot of the time when there is not). This is really typical and shouldn't prevent you from doing tummy time, just put a towel down to make the clean up easier!. 

If your baby does posset with tummy time and this is worrying you, you may  consider timing it further from a feed. However remember tummy time can be hard work and this might feel like a heavy cardio session right before bed does for you! Another option is doing a little tummy time half way through a feed before the tummy is too full.

If you are worried about your baby's weight gain then go to see your local GP or Child Health Nurse to discuss their specific case. However for most babies losing a little bit of milk is not problematic and is likely to happen whether they do tummy time or not! 

What activities to do in Tummy time?

Baby is on their tummy, now what?! Totally up to you! Here are some examples of activties I love

• Watching the view out the window or across the room at siblings playing or adults talking
• Looking in a tummy time mirror or in a full length mirror 
• Reading books
• Talking face to face with siblings or friends
• Exploring toys that are interesting to mouth, visually interesting or produce a nice gentle sound when moved slightly
• Exploring home made toys with interesting textures like ribbons, textured paper or a water tray (caution with home made setups stay close to supervise).
• Connecting with parents playing games like peekaboo, singing together or talking about anything!

One activity we don't recommend for tummy time is SLEEP! Please note this blog provides tips for awake supervised play time. For sleep positioning advice see Red Nose.