Tummy Time Help
What is Tummy time?
Any time baby is placed on belly! As baby grows he/she will learn to lift head against gravity, then use upper extremities to help push up.
Let’s make this activity fun for the whole family while baby works on strengthening and achieving gross motor skills.
Why?
Prevents torticollis and irregular/asymmetrical head shape (plagiocephaly)
Improves strength of head/ neck
Creates a good foundation for baby so that all gross motor/fine motor/social milestones develop on time
tummy time ideas
Frequency
Build up baby’s tolerance by placing baby on belly for short periods, multiple times per day. For example, every diaper change, do 30 seconds. The next day, 45 seconds, next day 60 seconds. Build up to half-hour increments.
Standard floor play
Anytime you place baby on the floor on belly. This could be on your rug, on a towel in the bathroom, outside on the grass, on the couch, or on the changing table.
on parent
Skin to skin on mom and dad has many benefits. Allow baby to lie on you. If baby falls asleep, make sure you keep baby’s airway open. Remember, back is best to sleep.
baby-wearing
Wearing your baby allows you to provide skin to skin benefits, while being mobile. This allows you to do chores, go for a walk, or bring baby with you on errands.
Physio ball
Changing the surface of tummy time provides a different sensation. Place baby in all positions on ball, gently rock or bounce baby while singing a song.
Don’t forget…
Side lying
Changes input into baby’s system
Important for breastfeeding
Try walking around your home while holding baby on his/her side
Make sure you switch sides
Back
Great for looking right into baby’s eyes to practice focusing
Important for learning to bring hands to midline
Use a toy to encourage baby to look/reach in all directions
Tummy Time toys
Parent/caregiver face
Activity mat with hanging toys
Mirror
Rattles/sound toys
Light up toys
Water mat
Black and white books
Milestone guidelines
Remember, these are general milestone ranges from the CDC. Your baby may be slightly behind or ahead. This page was created to give you ideas in ways to help your baby get comfortable with, even enjoy, time lying on his or her belly.
2 months
Baby can hold head up and begin to push up when lying on tummy.
4 months
Baby can hold head steady, unsupported.
Baby may be able to roll over from tummy to back.
Baby can push up to elbows when lying on stomach.
6 months
Baby can roll in both directions:
Front to back/Back to front
Baby begins to sit without support.
Baby rocks back and forth, sometimes crawling backward before moving forward.
Disclosures
You always should be observing baby during playtime. This page was designed to give you creative ideas on ways to promote a happy tummy time experience.
It is not in place of a formal Physical Therapy Evaluation.
For more questions, speak to your pediatrician or feel free to reach out to Dr. Denise of Milestones in Motion.