Tummy time: how to, how much and why?

During those first tummy times, your baby won’t have been able to hold their head in the centre and will have turned their head to one side. As their neck muscles became stronger, you'll probably have seen them hold their head in the centre with their arms tucked under their body offering some support. Now look closely and you'll see them use their arms for support and lift their head briefly when they're on their tummy.

They're getting stronger all the time!

Your baby might have been unsure about tummy time at first and you might have had tummy time with them lying on your chest or on your lap.  

Now, they are a little bit stronger and are beginning to lift their head and support themselves with their arms they might start to enjoy tummy time on the floor.  

Supporting your baby at tummy time 

• Always supervise your baby during tummy time, stay close by and encourage them as they lift their head and look around.  
• Support them under their arms as they develop their strength by using a rolled-up towel.  
• Think about when your baby has tummy time: make sure they are alert and comfortable as it will be hard work for them!  
• Keep it short – your baby is still developing the strength in their muscles and they might get tired quickly so don't do it for long spells at this stage.  
• Give them things to look at – you could lie on the floor with your baby so as they lift their head they can see you, or give them a safe mirror or some interesting toys to look at – this might help to make tummy time fun for them.  
• Lie them on a soft surface; your baby might get tired as they hold their head up for longer, so make sure tummy time is on a soft surface so that they don’t hurt themselves if their head drops forward as they get tired.
    

Benefits of tummy time 

Tummy time is included in physical activity guidance in Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and South Africa, as well as being included in the World Health Organization guidelines.^[1]   

A review of research into the benefits of tummy time looked at various studies and found that having at least 30 minutes of tummy time each day, in several short bursts, was positively linked to: 

• Overall development. 
• Development of physical skills, particularly the ability to move when lying down, including rolling and crawling. 
•  A reduction in BMI. 
•  Lower incidence of brachycephaly or 'flat head syndrome'.^[1]
  
  

As your baby gets stronger...

They will gradually be able to lift their head and upper body during tummy time, as well as lift their arms and legs when doing it, then rock from side to side and then rollover.  

If your baby is still unsure about tummy time, keep trying at different times of the day and see if they have a particular time when they are happier to be on their front. Holding them in various positions will give them the chance to practise holding their head steady.  

References: 

[1] Hewitt L, Kerr E, Stanley RM, Okely, A,D. (2020) Tummy Time and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review.Pediatrics. 145(6). Available at: Tummy Time and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review | American Academy of Pediatrics (aappublications.org) Accessed on 22nd October 2021.