Quick Answer The first weeks with a newborn often involve frequent nighttime feedings and interrupted sleep. Creating a night support schedule can help parents share responsibilities, improve rest, and reduce […]
Tummy time is one of the most important activities for your baby's early neuromuscular development. Supervised time spent on their tummy while awake helps strengthen the muscles of the neck, shoulders, back, arms, and core that babies need for rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. Beginning tummy time shortly after birth with short, supervised sessions helps build strength while reducing the risk of positional flat spots on the back of the head.
One of the first developmental activities you'll hear about as a new parent is tummy time.
Although it may seem like simple play, tummy time plays a vital role in your baby's physical and neurological development.
Many newborns don't enjoy tummy time at first.
They may fuss after only a minute or two.
That's completely normal.
Like any new skill, tummy time takes practice.
With patience and consistency, those short sessions help build the strength and coordination your baby will need for nearly every major movement milestone during the first year of life.
Tummy time is exactly what it sounds like.
It's the time your baby spends lying on their stomach while awake and closely supervised.
Unlike sleeping, which should always occur on a baby's back, tummy time provides babies with opportunities to move against gravity and strengthen muscles they don't use while lying on their backs.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends supervised tummy time beginning soon after birth as part of a baby's daily routine.
Source: https://www.healthychildren.org
Neuromuscular development refers to the way the brain, nerves, and muscles work together to create coordinated movement.
During tummy time, babies strengthen muscles throughout their body, including:
These muscles are essential for developing skills such as:
Every tummy time session helps build the connections between your baby's brain and body.
Many parents are surprised to learn that tummy time can begin shortly after birth.
For healthy newborns, parents can start with just 2 to 3 minutes at a time, several times throughout the day.
These short sessions often fit naturally after:
As your baby grows stronger, the amount of tummy time can gradually increase.
Remember, consistency matters much more than long sessions.
Tummy time is hard work.
Babies are using muscles they haven't developed yet.
It's completely normal for newborns to fuss during the activity.
Instead of viewing fussiness as failure, think of tummy time as your baby's first workout.
With regular practice, babies gradually become stronger and often begin enjoying tummy time as they gain more control over their movements.
Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign successfully reduced sleep-related infant deaths by encouraging babies to sleep on their backs, healthcare providers also began emphasizing tummy time while babies are awake.
Alternating positions during supervised awake time helps reduce prolonged pressure on the back of the head and may lower the risk of positional plagiocephaly, commonly called flat head syndrome.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics continue to recommend back sleeping for every sleep and supervised tummy time during awake periods.
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/sudden-infant-death/sleep-safely/
If your baby doesn't love tummy time right away, don't worry.
There are many ways to make it more engaging.
Try:
Remember, every minute counts.
There isn't a single "perfect" amount.
Instead, aim to gradually increase tummy time as your baby becomes stronger.
Many experts recommend working toward approximately 15 to 30 minutes total each day by around 2 months of age, spread across several short sessions.
By the time babies are around 3 months old, many enjoy closer to 60 minutes of total tummy time throughout the day, divided into multiple sessions.
Your baby doesn't have to complete this all at once.
Fact: Babies should always be placed on their backs for every sleep. Tummy time should only occur when babies are awake and closely supervised.
Fact: Mild fussiness is common because tummy time requires effort. Short, consistent sessions help babies build strength over time.
Fact: While tummy time helps reduce positional plagiocephaly, its greatest benefit is promoting healthy neuromuscular development and preparing babies for future motor milestones.
Parents can help their baby enjoy tummy time by:
Consistency—not perfection—is the key to success.
Every major movement your baby will eventually master begins with small moments of strength-building.
Before babies can roll…
They learn to lift their heads.
Before they can crawl…
They strengthen their shoulders and core.
Before they can walk…
They develop the muscle coordination that starts during supervised tummy time.
Although those first few tummy time sessions may only last a minute or two, they are laying the foundation for your baby's future movement, confidence, and independence.
One small session today becomes one giant developmental leap tomorrow.
The Newborn Care Solutions Agency is the only newborn care placement agency founded by an internationally accredited training provider. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, we connect families nationwide with rigorously vetted, professionally trained Newborn Care Specialists.
Our specialists provide evidence-based guidance that supports every stage of your newborn's development, from safe sleep and feeding to tummy time and developmental milestones. By helping parents understand the "why" behind everyday care, we empower families to build confidence while giving babies the healthiest possible start.
For more information, visit https://thencsa.com or call (602) 695-6775.
Quick Answer The first weeks with a newborn often involve frequent nighttime feedings and interrupted sleep. Creating a night support schedule can help parents share responsibilities, improve rest, and reduce […]
Quick Answer High-achieving parents are often accustomed to planning, solving problems, and excelling in every area of life. While these strengths can be valuable, the postpartum period introduces a level […]
Quick Answer Tummy time is one of the most important activities for your baby's early neuromuscular development. Supervised time spent on their tummy while awake helps strengthen the muscles of […]
