Tummy Time: What It Is and 6 Major Benefits

Babies spend a lot of time on their backs looking up at the ceiling — in their crib, in their car seat, in your arms…

Flipping them over onto their stomachs for “tummy time” not only gives them a different perspective, but it also plays an important role in their development.

What is tummy time?

“Tummy time is as simple as putting a baby or infant on their tummy for short periods of time every day to help train them,” explains pediatrician Matthew Badgett, MD.

When your baby is very young, tummy time is most about your baby learning to lift their head off the ground, which builds neck strength. As they get older, it helps them build muscle strength and explore the world around them — and it becomes a fun playtime, too!

Importantly, tummy time must be done on a firm surface (like a floor mat or pack-and-play) and supervised at all times.

6 benefits of tummy time

What’s the big deal about your baby lifting their head? Tummy time seems (and is) simple, but it has big benefits for your baby.

“Tummy time helps infants develop their muscle strength equally on all four sides of their bodies — tummy time encourages active head turning to either side, lifting the head up off the floor, and using the body’s muscles in a balanced way,” explains pediatric physical therapist Kathleen Finnan, PT.

Finnan and Dr. Badgett walk us through some important reasons to prioritize tummy time early in your child’s life

Builds strong muscles

Think of tummy time as your baby’s first exercise.

“Having them on the floor helps develop core muscle strength, as well as their back, neck and arms,” Dr. Badgett says.

Want more specifics? Tummy time helps:

• Strengthen baby’s core muscles and hip flexors
• Develop muscles equally throughout their body
• Open and strengthen their hand muscles
• Encourage head-turning to both sides
• Promote early arm and hand control for fine motor skills
• Build baby’s sense of balance
• Prepare them for crawling

Helps babies develop motor skills

All that strength-building has a purpose: When babies spend time on their bellies, they use and develop the muscles that allow them to lift their heads up, roll and, eventually, crawl.

“It’s very important that babies become accustomed to tummy time early in life to enable them to continue to achieve their developmental milestones,” Finnan says.

Tummy time-related milestones include:

• Lifting their head
• Rolling from side to side
• Holding objects
• Reaching for objects
• Rolling onto their belly
• Lifting their chest off the floor
• Propping up on their forearms and hands
• Pivoting in circles on their belly

“Tummy time leads to milestones like crawling and rolling a little bit earlier,” Dr. Badgett echoes. “In the short run, it definitely helps babies develop better.”

It may also help prevent early motor delays. Studies show that infants who don’t spend time in this position are more likely to experience a delay in motor development.

But all kids develop at a different rate, so you should always speak with your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s developmental milestones.

Reduces head and neck issues

Tummy time helps prevent flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly). It can also help relieve torticollis, which is when an infant’s neck becomes kinked or tight to one side.

But let’s back up: Until the 1990s, babies were typically put to sleep on their tummies, which researchers discovered increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

“When babies started sleeping on their backs, doctors started seeing a lot more plagiocephaly, or head flattening, along with more torticollis, which is when an infant’s neck gets kinked to one side,” Dr. Badgett explains. “They realized that parents were completely avoiding tummy time.”

Babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS — and they also need supervised tummy time during the day. Now, the American Academy of Pediatrics uses the catchy phrase, “Back to sleep, tummy to play” to help parents remember the importance of both.

“Notify your pediatrician if you notice a flat area on your baby’s head, if your baby isn’t turning their head from side to side. or if they develop a head tilt toward one direction or the other,” Finnan advises.

Plagiocephaly is usually not dangerous or permanent, but some types can be caused by a serious condition called craniosynostosis, which happens when an infant’s skull bones fuse too early.

Promotes sensory development

Being on their bellies allows babies to experience different body positions and movements, and they start learning how their arms and legs move. It also shows them a completely different view of the world — literally.

“In the beginning, babies spend almost all their time on their backs, so this forces them to flip their world upside down for a bit,” Dr. Badgett notes. Tummy time also helps babies learn to shift their eyes down to look at what’s in front of them, and it increases their awareness of their own hands.

Some tips for sensory development during tummy time:

• Go barefoot. Remove your baby’s socks so they can feel sensations beneath their feet. This also helps them gain traction for activities like rolling and scooting on their belly.
• Mix it up. Vary textures during tummy time by doing this activity on different types of surfaces (carpet, blanket, foam mat, etc.) and giving your baby different toys to play with.
• Interact! Engage with your baby during tummy time by talking, singing and making other sounds. This will help stimulate their senses. “This helps increase their tolerance to the position,” Finnan adds.

Opportunities to bond

In the beginning, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to have fun with your newborn. And even though tummy time isn’t initially all that interactive, your baby will become more engaged as their skills develop.

“Tummy time is an early chance for interaction and play with your baby, which is a really crucial bonding activity,” Dr. Badgett confirms.

Ready to get started?

Learn how to do tummy time at every age — starting soon after bringing your newborn home from the hospital.

“Tummy time should be performed at least once a day when your baby is awake, starting the day of your baby’s discharge,” Finnan says. “We recommend several sessions throughout your baby’s day.”

Talk to your pediatrician about the specifics of tummy time if your baby:

• Was born preterm
• Has reflux
• Has physical disabilities