Tummy time is a foundational activity for infant development, offering vital benefits for both physical and cognitive growth. When your baby spends short, supervised periods on their stomach, it activates and strengthens key muscle groups—including the neck, shoulders, arms, and back. Developing these muscles is essential for achieving important motor milestones such as rolling over, sitting independently, crawling, and walking.
This practice also helps prevent positional plagiocephaly, a condition caused by continuous pressure on the same part of a baby’s head, by encouraging varied movement. Tummy time enriches sensory experiences, which are instrumental in stimulating early brain development. Exposure to new sights, textures, and positions during tummy time helps lay the foundation for strong visual tracking, spatial awareness, and cognitive processing skills. A consistent tummy time routine supports your baby's journey through critical stages of early learning and healthy development.
Introducing tummy time early—ideally beginning when baby first comes home from the hospital and continuing until they start crawling—is fundamental for healthy development. For best results, start with short, supervised sessions lasting 3 to 5 minutes, gradually increasing duration as your baby adapts and gains strength. Strive for a cumulative total of 20 to 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day; always ensure your baby is awake and alert, as tummy time should never occur during sleep.
Track your baby’s tummy time progress each month with these milestones:
To create a supportive learning environment, use a soft blanket or play mat to provide comfort and safety. Position yourself at your baby's eye level, which encourages eye contact and reassurance while fostering social engagement. Enhance the experience by introducing educational toys, mirrors, sturdy books, or simply your own face, all of which stimulate curiosity and cognitive development. Recognize that each baby develops at their own pace; observe your child's reactions and adjust the routine accordingly.
Incorporating books into tummy time is an excellent way to make the activity more engaging and educational. Choose books with bright colors, high-contrast images, and simple, bold patterns to capture your baby's attention. Board books, cloth books, and vinyl books are ideal as they are durable and easy for little hands to explore.
Choose books with interactive features like flaps, textures, fold-out pages, or mirrors to stimulate your baby’s curiosity and boost sensory development. Place the book in your baby’s line of sight—either flat or on a stand at eye level. As you read, point out and describe images to create an engaging, language-rich experience that promotes bonding. For more recommended titles, visit our Tummy Time section on our website.