When to Start Tummy Time: Essential Tips for Success!


This article points to everything you want to know about tummy time when to start tummy time and almost everything that circles around it.

What is Tummy Time?

when to start tummy time


Before knowing when to start tummy time, you might want to know what actually is tummy time. For mommys-to-be and new mothers, it is a term referring to the waking time of the baby, when they are awake and lying on their stomach with their weight balanced on their forearms.
This position is good for your baby’s muscle development. Mothers should focus on making the baby used to tummy time.

Just being unaware of this exercise, many mothers can make their babies suffer from flat skull disorder or tight neck condition. So the guardians need to know when to start tummy time for the healthy muscle development of their baby. Do it for about a few minutes until it gets to be a part of your daily routine.

Benefits of Tummy Time


Babies sleep on their backs for a very long time. Therefore, it is highly important for the mothers to alter their positions from time to time so that they can help the babies build muscles. There are multiple benefits of Tummy Time, such as:

  • It’s perfect for helping build strength of the baby’s neck, chest, and arm muscles.
  • As they usually spend more time lying on their back, tummy time helps in avoiding skull deformation.
  • It will be beneficial for the visual, sensory, and all kinds of other movements for the baby.
  • It saves the baby from developing any spots on the head or flat skull issues.
  • The baby gets a chance to bring the upper body muscles in movement.

When to Start Tummy Time?


Now, as we know how beneficial tummy time is for the baby’s development, we need to make ourselves aware of when to start tummy time. Generally, it is advised to start tummy time as soon as the baby comes home. It is safe for a newborn because just after birth, babies start developing their neck muscle development. So it’s the perfect time for a mother to start tummy time for her newborn. It helps them to develop muscles that are useful for crawling, rolling over, and sit-ups. However, for a newborn baby, you will need to be more careful and keep an eye constantly on the baby.

If you are confused or scared to start tummy time for your newborn and want to know if it is safe to start tummy time for a newborn, then don’t worry! We have got answers to all your questions. Tummy time is very important for your newborn’s physical health and muscle development. Just with care and proper positioning of your newborn, you can safely make your newborn enjoy all the benefits of tummy time.

For a newborn, try to start tummy time by placing them tummy-down either on your lap or your chest. Rather than directly leaving them on the floor. Once the baby is used to it, you can start practicing tummy time differently.

When to Start Tummy Time on the Floor?


In general practice, doctors recommend being careful with your newborn’s tummy time and at first prefer to start with your lap or your chest.

Once the baby is stable and able to move the neck without any chance of certain jerks and arms being strong enough to balance their own weight, then you can start with tummy-time on the floor.

Usually, after two weeks, the baby starts working towards the floor tummy-time.

After a month, the baby starts trying to lift their head, so with a blanket on a clean floor, start tummy time on the floor.

What Is The Best Age to Start Tummy Time?


Tummy time is suitable for newborns and infants 1-3 months old. But there are different ways to perform tummy-time for different ages. Research shows that from 0-12 months tummy time improved gross motor skills and total development.

For a Newborn


It is an ideal age for a baby’s tummy time but on your chest or lap. Do not start tummy-time for a newborn on the floor. A newborn needs more care because they are just developing their muscles. Start the exercise by placing the baby’s tummy down on your thigh and placing your hand on the back for safety. You can also use your chest or belly for a newborn’s tummy-time.

For a 1-3 Months Infant


Now this age is ideal for floor tummy-time. At this age, the infants start trying to move their necks and are strong enough to balance their weight on their forearms. So you can place them on a floor covered with a blanket or can use a rolled towel or a bolster pillow under the baby’s chest.

How Long Should You Do Tummy-time?


In the beginning, try to train your baby for a 2-3 minutes tummy-time session. But repeat the exercise 2-3 times a day to make your baby used to it. Gradually change the length of the time. Encourage your infant to do this exercise for 10-15 minutes. And by the age of 3 months, start longer sessions i-e almost for an hour.

How to Make Tummy-Time Interesting


If you want your baby to enjoy this exercise, try to make it interesting for them. Try these different methods to make your baby enjoy tummy time.

Tummy-Tummy or Tummy-Chest


Style your baby will love playing on your tummy or chest as they can see your expressions while lying on you.


Football Hold Position


Hold your baby in an airplane position i-e with your hands in between the baby legs and stretch the baby arms in the air, So they feel like they are flying in the air. And enjoy the session.


Eye or Face Position


You can lie down on the floor to your baby’s eye level. In this way, they can look directly into your eyes and feel more pampered and loved.


Lap-Ease Position


You might want to adjust your baby in your lap in a tummy-down position. This helps the baby to learn how to balance them and gives ease to any stomach ache.


Put Some Toys on Ground


Putting some kinds of toys on the ground will also attract the baby. The bright colors of the toy attract the baby. Using a water tummy time mat can be a great way for kids to learn and be occupied while they are working on learning how to keep their heads up.

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Hold a mirror in front of the baby


To add little fun, hold or place a small mirror in front of the baby. It will make them feel that they have a new friend to play with.

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  • Take it in the car or use for tummy time
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Talking or Singing


It may sound to you a bit abnormal, but start talking to your baby while they are lying on their tummy or start singing a song to them; you can easily train them for a longer tummy-time session. This is also important for knowing when to start tummy time.


Use a Rolled Wheel for Baby


To add a little more to the tummy-time efficiency, you can place a bolster or a rolled towel under the baby’s chest. It can help babies to lift or turn their heads easily.


Massaging the Feet


To stop your baby from crying and hating tummy-time, you can try gently massaging their feet so they can enjoy the exercise.


Changing the Locations


Another easy way to make tummy-time interesting for babies is to change their location. Frequently change the room, or take them outdoors.

By using these different methods and tools you can easily increase the time duration of the tummy-time exercise of your baby when deciding when to start tummy time. But if they still get cranky, you can pick them up for some time and then start the same practice again.

What Else Should You Know?


As you now know when to start tummy-time and how to perform, there are a few essential things you may want to consider while doing tummy-time exercise with your baby.

Never leave your infant alone on the floor or on a pillow/cushion.

Avoid letting your infants sleep on their tummies. It is suffocating for the babies to protect them from dying of SIDS turn them over to their back for a nap.

There is a chance of the baby rolling off the sofa or the bed. So it’s never safe to do tummy-time on a sofa or a bed.

After feeding, avoid performing tummy-time.

By the age of 9 months, if the baby isn’t still rolling on its own, you should consult your pediatrician. They can guide you better ways to cope with the delay and can tell you other ways to make Tummy-time interesting for your baby.

Final Words


When choosing to try any such exercise on your baby, make sure you are aware of when to start tummy-time and for how long. Tummy-time plays a significant role in your baby’s development of muscles, moving ability, enhancing vision, and sense of touch. Every bit of tummy time is beneficial for your baby’s development in order to know when to start tummy time.

You may find it hard to get the results in the expected time duration in case of when to start tummy time. Once your baby is 6+ months, they will be able to roll over between tummy-time and other positions on their own. If you observe any delay, keep practicing unless the baby starts self-directing tummy time. Do not give up trying the tummy-time for plenty of time over a short to long interval. You can try tummy-time in different areas in your house or even outdoors. During pleasant weather, under the sun, you can place a rug and let your baby enjoy tummy-time and let them grow with nature.

Originally posted 2022-01-27 19:03:22.

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Hello! My name is Megan Santiago, B.S in Psychology, I have a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling and I am currently seeing clients as a Mental Health Counselor Intern. I am the Owner and Founder of Holistic-Momma.com. A little bit about me, I am OBSESSED with all things holistic health. I believe we can heal our physical bodies if we first heal our minds. I am a psychology major; I've worked alongside Naturopathic Doctors, Chiropractors, and numerous practitioners. I was a health educator for a well-known supplement brand, and now I share my experience and knowledge. I hope you learn something while on my site, and feel free to contact me with any questions!

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