Tummy Time for Babies

Tummy time is a great way to start strengthening the neck, shoulder and core muscles. Babies should start tummy time as early as possible. Tummy time often starts by placing baby on a parent’s chest whilst reclined as it is easier than lying flat on the floor.

Babies should start with short bursts of tummy time of 1-3 minutes a couple of times per day, and work to increase to 15–20-minute sessions several times per day. By 4-5 months, children should be able to tolerate a total of 60 minutes of tummy time per day.

Children sometimes have poor tolerance to tummy time which can be due to many factors.

These can include:

-The inability to lift head due to muscle tightness or weakness

-Arching through the spine and preferencing a ‘swimming’ position

- Difficulty placing weight through the arms

-Not interested in toys in this position

-Muscle weakness

-Reflux

If your child is having difficulty with tummy time, you can trial placing them on an incline which can make the task easier to take weight through arms. Additionally, supporting them with their arms under a pillow or tucking their arms in so their elbows sit directly under their shoulders can also help to increase their tolerance to the position. Babies who arch through their back and lift both arms off the ground to demonstrate a ‘swimming position’ benefit strongly these supported tummy time positions.

Whilst tummy time is important, there are other positions that are equally important including lying on back or side lying. Babies benefit from exposure to a variety of positions to help them strengthen their muscles and develop their skills.