What Is Tummy Time, Really?

Tummy time is any time your baby is placed on their stomach while awake and supervised. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), tummy time should begin as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital.  While babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS, they need time on their bellies during the day to develop strength, movement skills, and postural control.

Why Tummy Time Matters
Tummy time isn't just about preventing flat spots, it plays a major role in overall development. Research shows that tummy time supports:
Strength Development
Tummy time strengthens the neck, shoulders, arms, and trunk. These muscles are the building blocks for rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. Infants who get at least 15 minutes of daily tummy time at 2 months show earlier achievement of specific milestones like lifting their head to 45 and 90 degrees and sitting with a steady head.
Motor Skill Progression
Babies who regularly participate in tummy time tend to reach gross motor milestones earlier. Studies show that infants getting more than 30 minutes of daily tummy time acquire milestones like rolling, crawling, and walking sooner than those with less tummy time. Research found tummy time is positively associated with gross motor development, total development, and the ability to move while prone, supine, crawling, and rolling.
Head Shape Positioning
Spending time off the back of the head helps reduce the risk of positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome). Infants who receive tummy time fewer than 3 times daily have more than twice the odds of developing plagiocephaly compared to those who get more frequent tummy time.
Postural Control Coordination
Tummy time encourages weight-bearing through the arms and active head control, both of which are essential for coordinated movement as your baby grows.

How Much Tummy Time Does My Baby Need?
The AAP provides specific, evidence-based recommendations:

• Newborns to 7 weeks: Start with short periods beginning soon after hospital discharge, increasing incrementally to at least 15-30 minutes total daily by 7 weeks of age
• By 2 months: Aim for 30-44 minutes per day, which is associated with higher developmental scores
• By 6 months: Many babies benefit from 60-120 minutes per day, broken up throughout the day, which is associated with significantly higher total development scores

Remember, tummy time adds up over the day. Short, frequent sessions are often more realistic, and just as effective! Research shows that as babies get older, they naturally tolerate longer sessions and their preference for tummy time increases.

​"What If My Baby Hates Tummy Time?"
This may be the number one tummy time concern we hear, and it's completely normal. Many babies dislike tummy time at first because it's hard work. That doesn't mean you are doing it wrong or that it isn't helping. Research shows that infant preference for tummy time significantly increases over the first 6 months of life.
Here are a few ways to make tummy time more tolerable (and even enjoyable):

• Get down on the floor face-to-face with your baby
• Place a rolled towel or small pillow under the chest for extra support
• Use mirrors, toys, or books at eye level to encourage lifting the head
• Try tummy time on your chest while you recline (chest-to-chest positioning has been shown to reduce crying and increase head elevation)
• Keep sessions short and gradually build up over time
• Even 30 seconds at a time counts. Consistency matters more than perfection

Common Tummy Time Questions:
"Does tummy time have to be on the floor?"
No! Tummy time on your chest, across your lap, or over a rolled towel all count.
"Can my baby do too much tummy time?"
As long as your baby is awake, supervised, and comfortable, more tummy time is generally beneficial. Studies show dose-response relationships, meaning more tummy time is associated with better developmental outcomes.
"What if my baby just rolls out of it?"
That's actually a good sign. Rolling is a skill that develops because of tummy time. According to AAP developmental milestones, babies typically roll from tummy to back by 6 months.
"When should tummy time get easier?"
Most babies tolerate tummy time better as their strength improves, often around 3-4 months. Expected milestones include:

• 2 months: Holds head up when on tummy
  
• 4 months: Pushes up onto elbows/forearms when on tummy
  
• 6 months: Pushes up with straight arms when on tummy
  

When Might My Baby Need Extra Support?
While every baby develops at their own pace, consider reaching out to your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist if:

• Your baby strongly avoids tummy time despite consistent attempts
  
• Your baby has difficulty lifting or turning their head by 3 months
  
• Your baby shows a strong preference for looking or rolling to one side (asymmetry)
  
• You notice head flattening that does not improve with repositioning
  
• Your baby is unable to hold their head steady without support by 3 months
  
• Your baby cannot push up onto elbows/forearms by 4 months
  
• Your baby cannot sit without support by 8 months
  

Early guidance can make tummy time more comfortable and effective for everyone.

How Pediatric Physical Therapy Can Help
Our pediatric physical therapists can assess your baby's strength, movement patterns, and symmetry, and provide individualized strategies to support development. Therapy sessions are done on a 1:1 basis and are play-based with a focus on helping your baby move comfortably and confidently.