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Tummy Time

Providing the opportunity to build strength necessary for development

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies begin tummy time the very day they leave the hospital! 

How to:

Step 1

  • Prepare the environment

    • Clear a small area on the floor and lay either a towel, blanket, or play-mat down for padding  

      • Ensure the area is clean, safe, and free of small objects, pets, and dirt

    • Provide something for your baby to look at 

      • This could be a child-safe mirror, toys, or you can lay next to your baby!  

Step 2

  • Place your infant in prone (on their stomach with their back facing up)

Step 3

  • Provide stimulation (sounds and movement) to encourage them to lift and turn their head 

Step 4

  • End tummy time based on your infant's response and cues​​

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Remember!

 

It may take time for your infant to enjoy tummy time. 

 

It is not uncommon for them to hate it, as they are having to work hard to use their muscles. 


 

 

Can be performed frequently, 3-5 times per day, throughout the day or as tolerated by your infant. 

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Starting with only 2-3 minutes per session will help to build your baby's tolerance and provide the many benefits! 

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(Hewitt, Stanley, & Okely, 2017)

Tummy Time Benefits

  • Brain

    • sensory integration​

      • how one processes their sense of touch, balance, and where their body is in space ​

    • cognitive development

      • process of learning and understanding what they've learning 

      • includes functions such as thinking, remembering, problem-solving, judging, etc. 

    • environmental awareness 

  • Eyes

    • visual motor skills ​​​

      • hand-eye​ coordination

    • depth perception

      • judgement of the distance of objects 

  • Head

    • prevents plagiocephaly (flat head)

  • Neck

    • strengthens neck muscles ​

    • improves head control

  • Back

    • postural strength​

  • Legs 

    • strengthens muscles necessary for future ambulatory skills ​(crawling, walking, etc.)

  • Hips

    • stretches and strengthens to improve movement and prevent stiffness​

  • Tummy

    • assists with gas and constipation​

  • Arms

    • strengthens arms for future skills such as reaching, crawling, etc. 

  • Hands

    • formation of hand arches ​for necessary fine motor skill development 

      • fine motor skills refers to coordination of small muscles in the hands to allow for activities such as grasping small objects, buttoning a shirt, coloring, etc. ​

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(Safe Sleep Academy, 2019)

Additional Resources:

A pediatric occupational therapists guide to tummy time:

Newborns

0-3 Months Old

3-6 Months Old

Tummy Time Tips and Tricks 

The information contained in this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical care or advice from your pediatrician. Your pediatrician may have specific recommendations based on your child's individual circumstances. 

References

Hewitt, L., Stanley, R., & Okely, A. (2017). Correlates of tummy time in infants aged 0-12 months old. Infant Behavior and Development, 49, 310-321. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2017.10.001

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​Safe Sleep Academy. (2019). Tummy time. Retrieved from https://www.safesleepacademy.org/tummy-time/

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