How laying on their bellies helps babies walk

It might have been mentioned by a health professional during pregnancy. You might have heard other parents discussing it in passing. But you’re still unsure about the details – exactly what is tummy time? When should I start tummy time? Why is tummy time important? We are here to take the confusion out of the equation and show you exactly what tummy time should look like for your baby.

What is 'Tummy Time'?

‘Tummy time’ refers to time a baby spends lying on their tummies, with the main purpose being to aid in their physical development. Simple! Your baby has their weight bearing on their front, rather than lying down in a crib, on their play gyms or (more often than not) in our arms. When done often enough, this simple activity can have a huge impact on your baby’s development throughout their first year!

How Does Tummy Time Help Babies?

The main way comes from the position babies are in during tummy time. For starters, being placed on their front encourages them to engage many muscles in their tiny bodies, particularly in their neck, shoulders and core. They naturally want to raise their head in order to look around or get more comfortable, meaning these important muscles get a little work out each time they are placed in this position.

This muscle-building is extremely important for them, as it lays the groundwork for them reaching other milestones during their first year – they also use these muscles when learning to roll, sit unaided, crawl and even walk! So, plenty of tummy time in the early days really supports your infant’s muscular and gross motor development long after those newborn days.

Another great reason for doing tummy time is for the development of their skull. You might’ve heard of ‘flat head syndrome’ (plagiocephaly), which refers to babies having a flattened patch on the sides or the back of their heads. This is quite common (and usually nothing to worry about), but in severe cases can take quite a while to resolve and may require some intervention to correct it.

Flat head syndrome usually appears when babies spend prolonged periods lying on their backs in the same position, which can be hard to avoid when newborns are so sleepy! Tummy time alleviates this pressure from their soft, flexible skulls and allows them time to have their bodies in a different position which in turn, benefits their physical development.

When Should I Start Doing Tummy Time?

When you should start tummy time depends on your own baby. For the vast majority of newborns, it is safe to start tummy time from the day you bring them home from the hospital – or whenever you have been given the all-clear to start your new life at home with your baby*. With very young babies who are a few days to a few weeks old, it is best to place them on their tummies for just a few minutes, a few times a day. Popular ways to incorporate tummy time into your routine include:

- after changing your baby’s nappy, place them onto their front for a few minutes

- after your baby has awoken from their naps, set them on their baby gym on their front

- during playtime, switch up your baby’s positions by alternating between back and tummy time

… and repeat often throughout the day.

*Disclaimer: if you are unsure about your baby’s specific health needs, for example if they were premature or have other conditions, always speak to your doctor for advice. 

How Can I Do It?

Another popular question is; ‘where can I do tummy time?’. As above, changing mats (on the floor), baby gyms or soft blankets are great, safe places to do tummy time. But - did you know tummy time doesn’t always mean baby lying down completely flat on a surface? Placing your baby on your chest, facing you counts too! Plus – those newborn snuggles are a win for us parents too.

Many parents state that they have a ‘baby who hates tummy time’ or a ‘baby who cries during tummy time’. We want to reassure you that this reaction is completely normal. However, it is important you are persistent – remember all those amazing benefits for your baby! You might think your baby isn’t strong enough to do tummy time yet – surely it would be better to wait until they are a little older and more able, right? Wrong!

Unfortunately, this is counterproductive. Waiting until your baby can lift their head to do tummy time might leave you waiting much longer than you anticipated. Tummy time is the fastest, easiest way to build up their neck and core strength so that they become stronger. And as they become stronger, tummy time becomes MUCH more fun!

Still not convinced? Here are 10 Things You Can Do to Help a Baby Who Hates Tummy Time.

There you have it – you’re now ready to give tummy time a go with your baby!