As you settle into your routine with your newborn, you might be hearing a lot about “tummy time.” While it might seem simple, these few minutes on the floor are a powerful way to help your baby grow strong and reach exciting new milestones.
What is Tummy Time?
Tummy time is the practice of placing an infant on their stomach while they are awake and supervised.
Getting Started: When and How Much?
According to the 2022 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines, you can begin short periods of supervised tummy time soon after hospital discharge—as early as two weeks old! The goal is to build up the duration incrementally until your baby is getting at least 15–30 minutes total daily by 7 weeks of age. The AAP endorses tummy time for its benefits on motor development and reduction of positional plagiocephaly risk.
Don’t worry if they only tolerate a minute or two at first; multiple brief sessions throughout the day are perfect. By 6 months, international guidelines recommend at least 30 to 60 minutes daily for infants who aren’t crawling yet.
Why Tummy Time Matters
Tummy time is like a mini-gym for your baby. It’s positively associated with gross motor development, helping them strengthen the muscles needed for:
- Lifting and controlling their head
- Rolling over
- Reaching and crawling
Protecting That Sweet Round Head
Because babies spend so much time sleeping on their backs (which is the safest way!), they can sometimes develop positional plagiocephaly, or flat spots. Infants who do tummy time at least three times a day are significantly less likely to develop these spots. To help, you can also:
- Alternate which end of the crib you place their head during sleep.
- Limit time spent in car seats, swings, or strollers when not traveling.
The Golden Rule: Safety First
There is one non-negotiable rule for tummy time: it must always be supervised and while your baby is awake. Tummy time is never for sleep. To reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep unless otherwise directed by your baby’s physician..
What if My Baby Hates It?
- Begin short periods of tummy time soon after hospital discharge (as early as 2 weeks of age).
- Increase incrementally to 15–30 minutes total daily by 7 weeks, distributed across multiple brief sessions throughout the day.
- The optimal amount appears to increase with age; by 6 months, international guidelines recommend at least 30 minutes daily for infants not yet mobile.
- Tummy time preference and tolerance tend to increase naturally over the first 6 months
- For infants who do not tolerate prone positioning, physical therapy referral should be considered. Multidisciplinary interventions including stimulus-based approaches, positional supports, and structured dosage-based programs have shown improvements in tummy time tolerance and motor outcomes.
Key Safety Note
Tummy time must always be supervised and during wakefulness — it is never appropriate during sleep. Infants should always be placed supine for sleep to reduce the risk of sleep-related infant deaths.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your pediatrician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.