Tummy time is placing your baby on his or her stomach and allowing them to play in this position. Putting your baby on her tummy helps develop muscles in the neck and shoulders that eventually help them lift their heads, sit up, crawl, roll, and walk. Your baby should always be awake and supervised during tummy time.
At what age should I start tummy time?
Tummy time should start as soon as you and your baby come home from the hospital.
How to start:
Start tummy time by clearing out a small area on the floor. Put a blanket on the floor and place your baby on his or her stomach after a diaper change or a nap. It’s recommended to have 15 minutes of tummy time a day. Start with a few minutes per session of tummy time up to 2-3 sessions day. Build your way up to 15 minutes. Some babies might not like tummy time but encourage it by playing with them and surrounding them with toys. 🧸
Concerns:
Tummy time also helps prevent your baby’s head from developing a flat spot. Most flat spots round out as babies get older but check in with your paediatrician for any concerns.
Never put your baby to sleep on their stomach. Place your baby on their back as their only sleeping position to reduce the chances of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).