The Importance of Tummy Time

By Sarah Kotz, Itinerant Early Childhood Education Teacher, Keystone AEA

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended babies be put “back to sleep.” Since then, the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome decreased by 50%. However, there’s an increase in infants with flat spots on their heads and developmental delays. What can you do to help? Turn your baby over on his belly as soon as he comes home from the hospital. He should spend half of awake time on his belly to strengthen the upper body. A baby is designed to play and learn during tummy time.

Tummy time should be fun time. If made into an interactive game, your baby will enjoy it. The sooner your baby has tummy time, the less he will cry in this position. Supervise if your baby is still working on lifting his head. If your baby tries to roll out of the position, get down on the floor with him. Do tummy time on a firm, yet soft surface (carpet or play mat).

You can provide other positions for your baby’s tummy time. While supporting him, hold your baby in front of you facing outward. Lay him on your chest while you lie down (good for newborns). In this manner, you are face to face with your baby. Another favorite is to hold the baby over your arm like a football.

Tummy time is a way to communicate and reinforce language skills. Interesting toys will stimulate your baby. Keeping your baby entertained will help during tummy time. You are your baby’s favorite toy, so lie on the floor with your baby. While down there, talk, sing, and make silly faces. A mirror is a wonderful toy because babies enjoy looking at their faces. As your baby’s muscles get stronger, he will lift his head and see more of his environment.

Tummy time encourages growth in large motor skills (rolling and crawling) and leads into small motor skills development (playing with toys and coloring). Tummy time gives your baby a feeling of where his body is in space, which encourages movement and curiosity. In addition, your baby will have another way to look at his world. Tummy time provides deep pressure and tactile input through hands, forearms, and shoulders to encourage crawling and pulling up.

No tummy time could impact your baby’s overall development delaying large motor activities, such as rolling, crawling, and walking. Too much back time could lead to a flattened head. If this occurs, a baby may need a helmet to try to reshape his head. Another consequence is weak muscles in the neck, shoulders, and back, limiting movement your baby can do in play activities. Your child could have difficulties later with coordination activities (sports and handwriting).

As a mom and a teacher for babies age birth to three, I have learned the importance of tummy time. I respect and honor how much you do to support your little ones. With a few tummy time tools, you can encourage your baby’s growth and overall development.