The Most Effective Tummy Time Tips To Try Right Now

Are you wondering when to start tummy time and looking for some tummy time tips? These are the most effective tummy time tips you can try with your baby right now!

First of all, congrats on the newest little addition to your family! I really hope you are finding time to catch some sleep in between feedings and diaper changes. If you are a first time mom like I was, then you are probably looking for some tummy time tips.

In this post, you are going to learn about the most effective tummy time tips as well as what age to start tummy time, when to stop tummy time, tummy time milestones, tummy time activities and so much more!

After learning the various tummy time tips, you are going to be a pro and feel confident in working on tummy time with your baby right away.

This post is all about the most effective tummy tips you can try right now.

Note: This post is not intended to serve as medical advice. Please consult your child’s pediatrician if you have specific questions or concerns about your child’s development.

Tummy Time Tips

What Is Tummy Time

Tummy time is simply placing your baby on his stomach on the ground to play. Tummy time should only happen when your baby is awake and supervised. It is one of the first activities your baby will do and by far the most important as a newborn!

Your baby will eventually roll, crawl and sit up on his own but until then, tummy time should only happen when he is awake and your baby should be placed on his back to sleep.

A great time to practice tummy time is after your baby wakes up from a nap or after a diaper change. Clear an area on the floor, place your baby on his belly and play with him for three to five minutes to start. Repeat this a few times a day. As your baby gets more comfortable with tummy time and stronger, he will be able to enjoy longer and more frequent sessions throughout the day.

Why Is Tummy Time Important

Tummy time is crucial for your baby’s motor, visual and sensory development. It can also help prevent your baby’s head from developing flat spots (plagiocephaly) and helps your baby develop strong neck and shoulder muscles.

Most flat spots will round out as your baby grows, but if you are concerned then I recommend talking to your pediatrician. In addition to tummy time, you can alternate the direction of your child’s head when he sleeps and eats or work with a physical therapist who will give you specific exercises to do each day or a helmet may be necessary for a short period of time.

Research shows that babies who were given more tummy time (while awake) tended to roll and crawl sooner than babies who were given less tummy time.

Some pediatricians do not consider crawling to be a developmental milestone, but if you talked to any physical therapist, they will tell you that crawling is so so so important for babies.

Tummy time helps babies work up to crawling, which requires a surprising amount of shoulder girdle strength. Shoulder girdle strength also comes into play in helping your child catch himself when he falls one day, carry an oddly shaped or heavy item around the house, and play tug-a-war with friends as he grows up. Believe it or not, it all begins with tummy time!

When To Start Tummy Time

The AAP recommends babies start tummy time the day they come home from the hospital. Start with two to three short sessions a day and work up to an hour total (broken up throughout the day) that the baby spends on his belly.

Some pediatricians recommend waiting until the umbilical cord falls off, which usually falls off within the first week after birth, so make sure you are in communication with your baby’s doctor about what is best for your child.

If you did not start tummy time in the first few days after your child’s birth, please do not feel. You have an opportunity to start today and work up to longer, more frequent sessions as your baby gains strength.

Before you know it, you will be watching your baby lift his head, roll to the side, push up with his arms and eventually sit up and crawl. It is so incredible to see!

Tummy Time After Feeding

One of my top tummy time tips is to avoid doing it directly after a feeding. If your baby’s belly is full, pressure on his abdomen could lead to discomfort and spit up. Instead, try practicing tummy time after diaper changes or when your baby wakes up from a nap. Remember, it only needs to be a few minutes to start.

This is especially applicable with tummy time for reflux babies. I speak from experience that babies with reflux experience discomfort (and lots of spit up!) doing tummy even thirty minutes after feeding so it is important to be strategic when you place your baby on his belly.

Tummy Time Activities

Your baby will only be able to handle a few minutes of tummy time in the beginning but those few minutes are still very important. Now the question is what to actually do with your baby once he is on the ground…

Get on the floor with your baby. Lay down next to him face to face or side by side and talk to him, sing or offer him a special toy.
Use an unbreakable mirror to catch his attention. Babies really love mirrors so this is a great toy to keep their attention. You can also vary the position of the mirror and move it from in front of your baby to either side of your baby.
Spread out toys around him. This allows him to see a toy no matter where he turns his head and will encourage him to stretch out his arms to reach for a toy. As babies get stronger, place the toys further and further away from your baby. This will help develop lots of different muscles needed to eventually push up, sit up, crawl and walk.
Place your baby on your own tummy while you lay on your back. This can be a great option if your baby is not a fan of tummy time yet because it provides a lot of comfort. You can also raise him overhead, sing songs and make silly noises.
Use a nursing pillow or small, firm pillow to prop your baby up. This is a great option for young babies who may be protesting tummy time. It gives them the little boost they need in the beginning but the goal is to wean them off of a prop.

My Baby Hates Tummy Time

Not all babies take to tummy time immediately so if your baby is in this camp too then know that you are not alone. But also remember that it is an important exercise to do with your baby.

As your baby begins to build muscle and strength, particularly once he can hold his head up, you can expect your baby will begin liking tummy time more and more.

In the meantime, here are a few tummy time tips you can try:

Switch up the location. A change in scenery can be exactly what your baby needs. Moving from the living room to the nursery provides your baby with a different view to observe and study.
Try shorter, more frequent sessions. Even one to two minute sessions can be effective so do not discount them. With practice and time, your baby will slowly build up to more enjoyable tummy time sessions. Try a couple minutes of tummy time after every diaper change and bath so your baby starts to expect it.
Invite an older sibling or another family member to join. A fresh face can make tummy time more exciting for your baby and an older sibling will be a fun person to watch.
Use rattles, toys and mirrors to encourage visual tracking. By switching up the toys, colors and sounds, you can see what your baby likes best and what holds his attention the longest. High contrast toys like those found in Lovevery’s 0-12 month play kit are riveting in the early months.

Tummy Time Milestones

These are the average tummy time milestones but do not panic if your baby is moving through these milestones at a slower (or faster) pace. Each child is unique and individual but if you have specific concerns, please consult your child’s pediatrician.

2 Weeks

At two weeks, your baby is working towards tummy time on the ground. Although the AAP recommends tummy time start the day you get home from the hospital, this does not necessarily mean your baby is on the ground.

You can ease into tummy time with your newborn by placing him on your chest or stomach, which is also a great way to soothe him too! Start with short sessions, thirty seconds to one minute is sufficient.

1 Month

Your baby will be turning his head during tummy time and attempting to lift his head up, even if it is only for a few seconds.

2 Months

Your baby will be able to tolerate several minutes on his belly several times a day at this age and doing the majority of the tummy time exercises on the floor without the help of a pillow prop. Your child may also be tilting his head side to side while on the ground.

Pay close attention to if your child is favoring one side over the other. This can be a sign of torticollis, which occurs when there are tightened muscles on one side of the neck.

I personally worked with a physical therapist for my son’s torticollis when he was this age and had a great experience. The exercises were very doable and my son’s daycare teachers were even able to help. Let me know if physical therapy for babies is something you would be interested in learning more about.

3 Months

At 3 months old, your baby will be beginning to put weight on his arms with his elbows behind his shoulders at a forty five degree angle.

He will be gaining control of his head and will be able to lift it up forty five to ninety degrees.

Your baby will be starting to visually track toys or rattles as you move them around during tummy time.

At this age, your baby should be spending approximately one hour total per day (broken up throughout the day) on his belly.

4 Months

Your baby will begin to lift his head up ninety degrees while keeping it centered at four months old. He will begin moving his head side to side to track toys, faces and noises and will even begin to push up on his forearms to bring his chest off of the ground. His elbows will be under his shoulders or slightly forward when he pushes his chest up.

5 Months

You will begin to see your baby advance to pushing up on his hands with straight elbows and starting to move his hands forward to reach for a nearby toy.

6+ Months

Get out the tissues because around this time you will see your baby graduate to self directed tummy time. Your baby will be actively reaching for toys while on his belly and is usually able to pivot in a circle.

At six months, you might start seeing your baby roll from back to belly and belly to back. He might even begin to prefer being on his belly because it allows him to move, play and explore more easily.

Your baby might also start rolling in the crib or showing preference to sleeping on his belly. You can help with the transition by giving your baby plenty of time to practice rolling and moving during the day. You can use his favorite toys to keep him motivated!

When To Stop Tummy Time

Once your baby starts crawling (around 7 to 9 months old), it is not essential to set aside dedicated time for tummy time since he will be getting the developmental benefits of tummy time while moving. But it is still important and beneficial for your child to spend time playing in the tummy time position.

This post was all about the most effective tummy tips you can try right now.