Tummy Time - What is all the fuss about?

Tummy time is an important skill for infants and their development. Adequate tummy time has shown to have an impact on an infant's development in many ways. Tummy time gives infants the foundation they need to meet their developmental milestones which is proven to impact other facets of their growth such as:

  • Motor Development

  • Speech Development

  • Fine Motor Development

More on the importance of Tummy Time

Tummy time reduces a baby’s risk of complications and developmental delay such as:

  • Plagiocephaly or Flat Head Syndrome

  • Torticollis: Tight muscles in the neck that can cause an infant to hold or turn their head in one direction with a preference for one side

It’s important to help a baby get comfortable with tummy time early on.
The tumtum can help.

Adequate amounts of tummy time can help babies learn to crawl. When babies crawl before walking it can increase muscle mass, improve body composition, reduce blood pressure, and improve motor competence and physical fitness.

But aren’t babies usually born perfect?

Yes, they are! However, babies come out of the uterus with flexion contractures in their hips, knees, ankles, elbows, wrists and hands.  As the musculature develops in infants, time spent on their belly (tummy time) aids in stretching these muscles.

Tummy time also stretches the neck muscles that allow for rotation and ease of movement and helps her rest her cheek down on either side of their face.  Additionally, muscles develop strength in this position to raise the head and upper chest and begin to develop head and trunk control in midline. Tummy time encourages a variety of positions for the baby to begin play and explore, and keep her off her skull, which can easily misshape. 

What if my baby doesn’t like Tummy Time?

Not all babies enjoy tummy time at first - so don’t worry!

As parents and caregivers it’s important to help facilitate and show babies how to accomplish milestones. It is okay to push your baby physically.  A little moaning and grunting is acceptable, but crying and distress is not necessary! If baby cries, flip them over off onto their belly and then try again soon after, or later in the day.  Strong muscles developed in tummy time also help with feeding, sitting, and exploration of their environment.