The Benefits of Tummy Time: Why It Matters (and How to Make It Easier)
What Every Parent Should Know About This Simple—but Powerful—Practice
Even before I became a parent, I knew about ‘tummy time.’ It was a dreaded moment of my sister’s day with each of my nephews and nieces. I witnessed a few of them first hand, and there was a lot of wining and wincing. Most of the wincing came from my sister. Watching your baby struggle—even when you know it’s good for them—is hard on any parent.
If you’re a new parent, you’ve probably heard or read about “tummy time” as well. It’s dreaded phrase tossed around by pediatricians, baby books, or well-meaning relatives. But what is tummy time, exactly, and why is everyone so insistent about it?
Let’s look into the real benefits of tummy time—and how to make it a positive part of your baby’s (and your) day.
🧠 What Is Tummy Time?
It simply means placing your baby on their stomach while they’re awake and being looked after. That’s it. No fancy gear, no complicated setup. Just your baby, face down, on a safe surface like a blanket or play mat.
Think of tummy time as your baby’s first workout. It’s simple but powerful—helping your baby build strength and coordination they’ll use for crawling, sitting, and more.
📅 When to Start Tummy Time?
You can start tummy time as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital! For newborns, even a minute or two on your chest counts. As they grow, you can increase the duration and frequency.
🌟 The Benefits of Tummy Time
Here’s what regular tummy time can do for your little one:
1. Builds Core and Upper Body Strength
When your baby is on their tummy, they’re naturally trying to lift their head and chest. This seemingly small effort is actually building up the muscles in their neck, shoulders, and back —all the muscles they’ll need to eventually roll, sit, crawl, and walk. I remember the first time my baby lifted his head completely off the ground. I felt like we had just won a marathon!
2. Prevents Flat Spots (Plagiocephaly)
With babies spending a lot of time on their backs (for safe sleeping!), it’s common for them to develop flat spots on their heads. Tummy time gives their little heads a break from pressure and helps them develop a nicely rounded shape.
3. Improves Motor Skills and Coordination
Reaching for toys, pressing up, and shifting their weight during tummy time, they’re practicing essential balance and coordination skills. They’re also developing crucial motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Think of tummy time as their own little gym class, one that gets them ready to move even more.
4. Promotes Sensory Development
Imagine starting at the ceiling all day! Tummy time gives your baby a whole new view. This visual stimulation is fantastic for their cognitive development and curiosity. They’ll be reaching, grabbing, and engaging with their environment in exciting new ways. This position stimulates visual and spatial awareness—and can even support early hand-eye coordination. The different textures they feel on their tummy, the pressure on their hands, and the visual input all contribute to a rich sensory experience. This helps their brain process information and learn about the world around them.
5. Encourages Interaction and Bonding
Doing tummy time together gives you a chance to connect. Make silly faces, talk softly, or use high-contrast flashcards or toys to make it more engaging.
What Happens If You Don’t Do Tummy Time?
While tummy time might sometimes feel like a chore (especially if your little one isn’t a fan!), consistently skipping it can impact a baby’s physical development. But don’t worry—every baby is different, and small steps go a long way. The key is offering opportunities consistently and with patience. Here are a few things that might happen if tummy time is consistently avoided:
- Delayed motor milestones: Without enough time on their tummy, babies may take longer to roll over, sit up, crawl, or walk.
- Weaker upper body muscles: Tummy time builds neck, shoulder, and arm strength—without it, those areas may stay underdeveloped.
- Flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly): Spending too much time lying on their back can cause a flat spot on the back of the head, which tummy time helps prevent.
- Reduced sensory exploration: Being on their tummy gives babies a new way to experience the world. Less tummy time means fewer chances to build spatial awareness and body control.
It’s important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace, but providing opportunities like tummy time can significantly support their journey and help them reach their full potential.
The good news? It’s never too late to start—even short, playful sessions a few times a day can help your baby catch up.
🧸 Tips to Make Tummy Time Easier (and More Fun)
Okay, so we know it’s important. But let’s be honest, some babies are not huge fans. The good news is, there are plenty of tricks to make tummy time more enjoyable for everyone!
- Start Small and Build Up: Don’t feel like you need to do 30 minutes right off the bat! Start with just a few minutes, even 1-2 minutes at a time, several times a day. As your baby gets stronger and more comfortable, you can gradually increase the duration.
- Get down on their level: Your baby loves to see your face! Lie down on the floor with them, make eye contact, sing songs, or talk to them. This interaction can make tummy time much more engaging.
- Use Engaging Toys: Place colorful, high-contrast toys just out of reach to encourage them to lift their head and reach. Unbreakable mirrors are also a big hit – babies love looking at themselves!
- Try Different Surfaces: A soft blanket on the floor is great, but you can also try tummy time on your chest (while you’re semi-reclined), across your lap, or even over a nursing pillow. Varying the surfaces can make it more interesting.
- Try chest-to-chest: If your baby resists the floor, try tummy time on your chest while you recline.
- Make it a Routine: Incorporate tummy time into your daily routine, just like feeding and diaper changes. Consistency is key!
- Be Patient and Positive: Some days will be better than others. If your baby is really resisting, it’s okay to take a break and try again later. Celebrate every little head lift and wiggle!
1️⃣ How Much Tummy Time at 1 Month?
For newborns, even a few minutes at a time is great. These can even be on your chest! At this age, it’s about introducing the position and helping them get comfortable. At this stage, tummy time is still new. Keep it short and sweet:
- 2–3 sessions per day
- 1–2 minutes each session
- Try tummy time on your chest or during diaper changes
- Focus on comfort and bonding more than duration
2️⃣ How Much Tummy Time at 2 Months?
At this age, your baby is starting to gain a little more strength and awareness:
- 3–4 sessions per day
- 3–5 minutes per session
- Incorporate high-contrast visuals or soft music for engagement
- Begin using a play mat or blanket on the floor more often
3️⃣ How Much Tummy Time at 3 Months?
At 3 months, your baby should be getting stronger and tummy time becomes part of the daily rhythm:
- 3–4 sessions per day
- 5–10 minutes per session
- Baby may begin pushing up on forearms or turning their head more easily
- Make it interactive: talk, sing, and bring toys into the mix
The goal is to work up to at least 15-30 minutes of total tummy time per day by the time they are 3-4 months old, spread out over multiple sessions. Listen to your baby – if they’re fussing, it’s okay to take a break and try again later!
💬 Final Thoughts: Tummy Time Is More Than a Milestone
The benefits of tummy time go way beyond just strong muscles. It’s a moment for connection, exploration, and quiet progress—one little push at a time. It might seem like a small thing in the grand scheme of baby care, but its impact on your little one’s development is huge. By incorporating it into your daily routine and making it a positive experience, you’re giving your baby the best possible start on their journey to rolling, crawling, and exploring the world around them. So go ahead, get down on the floor, and enjoy those adorable tummy time moments!
As always, thanks for being here,
Jenny
Looking for a way to make tummy time more engaging?
👉 Download our printable black-and-white flashcards to help your baby stay curious and calm during tummy time sessions.
Need a quick visual tool for tummy time on the go?
📲 Try the InfantZoo app—a gentle, ad-free way to support your baby’s early visual development.