What does tummy time mean

Tummy Time (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

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What Is Tummy Time?

Tummy time is laying babies on their stomachs for brief periods while they're awake. It's an important way to help babies strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles, and improve motor skills.

Be sure to stay with your baby and watch closely during tummy time.

What Can Tummy Time Help With?

Tummy time is good for:

Newborns and infants 1–3 months old who are just developing neck control. Tummy time helps develop the muscles they'll need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk. Always stay with your baby during tummy time.
Older babies, 4–7 months old. They should still spend some supervised time on their bellies, even if they can roll over and sit with some help. Tummy time helps them practice lifting their head and chest further by straightening their arms. This strengthens arm, chest, and back muscles.
Newborns who have a neck condition called torticollis (tor-ti-KOLL-iss). Tight neck muscles keep the baby from turning their head. Tummy time encourages babies to look around, and along with exercises your doctor will show you, can help your baby's neck muscles relax.
Babies with flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly). This happens when babies spend too much time on their backs in the first few months of life. This can cause a flat spot, either on one side or the back of the head.

How Do I Do Tummy Time?

Newborns

Start newborns on tummy time by placing them belly-down on your chest or across your lap for a few minutes at a time, two or three times a day. While lying on their belly, they can practice lifting their head and strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles. As your baby gets used to it, you can go for a little longer.

Older Babies

Place a blanket down in a clear area on the floor. Place your baby on their stomach on the blanket for 3–5 minutes to start, several times each day. Your baby may get fussy and frustrated in this position. Keep the first sessions of tummy time brief and gradually lengthen them. It's also a good idea to do tummy time when your baby is fed, changed, and happy.

As your baby gets used to it, place your little one belly-down more often or for longer periods of time. Experts recommend that babies work up to about 1 hour of tummy time a day by the time they're 3 months old.

Make some noises or shake a rattle to get your child to look up and push up. Place a favorite toy in front of your baby to encourage reaching and forward movement.

Babies With Torticollis or a Flat Spot

This exercise is good for babies with torticollis and/or a flat spot, and can help treat both problems:

Lay your baby on your lap for tummy time. Position your baby with their head turned away from you. Then, talk or sing to your baby. Encourage your little one to turn and face you. Do this exercise for 10–15 minutes.

What Else Should I Know?

Always stay with your baby during tummy time.
Always place babies on their backs (never on their bellies) to sleep to help prevent SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
Do tummy time on a low, safe surface. Don't put your baby on a sofa or bed, where they could roll off or suffocate on pillows or a soft surface.

If your baby doesn't seem to enjoy tummy time, add some variety. Sing songs, keep colorful toys nearby, get down on the floor and eye-to-eye with your baby, and have others join you. Don't give up! Tummy time is important, and some babies just need a little extra time to get used to it.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD

Date reviewed: October 2019

What You Need to Know About Tummy Time

What is Tummy Time?

Tummy Time is one of baby’s first exercises—and the most important!

Tummy Time is the period during the day your baby spends awake and on their stomach. It is a crucial exercise for baby’s motor, visual, and sensory development.

Baby can begin Tummy Time as a newborn. They can continue to do Tummy Time throughout their first year. Watch the Tummy Time guide:

Tummy Time: Know the Basics

Why does my baby need Tummy Time?

To develop the core muscles of the neck, back, and shoulder muscles
To meet developmental milestones
To possibly help prevent early motor delays and conditions, such as flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly) and twisted neck (positional torticollis).

When should my baby start Tummy Time?

As a newborn baby, as soon as they come home from the hospital.

How long should you do Tummy Time?

Aim to achieve at least an hour of Tummy Time total per day by 3 months of age. This hour of Tummy Time can be broken up into smaller parts. From newborn age, start with a few minutes at a time and build up to longer sessions.

How often should you do Tummy Time?

Start with small increments of a few minutes at a time, several times a day. Eventually, try to do longer Tummy Time sessions, eventually building up to a full hour.

At what age should baby stop Tummy Time?

Once baby begins crawling, around 7-9 months, they will be getting the developmental benefits of Tummy Time while moving, and it is not as essential to have them do Tummy Time. However, it is still beneficial to have baby spend some time in the Tummy Time position (also known as prone position) during play.

Always Remember: Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play!

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends baby always sleep on their back. That means spending time on their tummy while awake is crucial for development!

And remember: if baby falls asleep during Tummy Time, be sure to place them on their back and let them continue to sleep.

Learn More

Essential Tummy Time Moves

Try these different ways to do Tummy Time with baby:

Tummy-to-Tummy or Tummy-to-Chest

Lie down on the floor or a bed, flat or propped up on pillows. Place baby on your chest or tummy, so you and baby are face-to-face. Always hold firmly for safety.

Tummy Down Carry or Football Hold

Position one hand under the tummy and between the legs and carry baby tummy down. Use other hand to support baby’s head and neck. Nestle baby close to your body to help get baby accustomed to the position.

Lap Soothe

Place baby face down across your lap. A hand on baby’s bottom will help steady and calm them. This move can also be used to burp and soothe baby.

Eye-Level Smile

Get down to baby's level to encourage eye contact. Baby loves to see your face!

Want to be a Tummy Time expert? Take the course!

Your Guide to Tummy Time has everything expecting and new parents need to know about this crucial exercise, including Tummy Time options and activities.

Learn More

Check out what others are saying about the course:

“If someone's wants to be an expert in Tummy Time, Pathways.org's tummy time expert course is an essential course that every parent should consider.

The introduction of tummy time, the importance, how it impacts the child's progression, how it helps prevent medical conditions, how to ensure a baby's engagement in tummy time and all the wonderful ways of implementing it were well explained and guided!

I'm totally in love with this course and would definitely recommend this course to anyone who might need it”

Tummy Time Abilities

What Tummy Time should look like each month:

How do you know baby is making progress during Tummy Time? Check these abilities to ensure baby is continuing to develop.

At 2 weeks, baby is...

Using Tummy-to-Tummy, Tummy Down Carry, and Lap Soothe positions
Working towards Tummy Time on the floor

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 2 weeks!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Many parents like Tummy to Tummy for their newborn. This allows you to be face-to-face with baby and enjoy lots of baby cuddles!

At 1 month, baby is...

Turning head during Tummy Time
Attempting to lift head up – even if it’s only for a second

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 1 month!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Get down on the floor at baby’s eye level. Baby loves your face and voice!

At 2 months baby is...

Spending at least one minute in Tummy Time several times a day without becoming upset
Doing the majority of Tummy Time exercises on the floor
Possibly tilting their head to one side
- Watch to make sure they alternate tilting to both directions instead of always favoring one side, which may be a possible sign of positional torticollis

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 2 months!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Face baby different directions in their crib each night to help develop neck muscles by turning a different direction to look at you each morning.

At 3 months, baby is...

Beginning to put weight on arms, with elbows behind their shoulders at a 45 degree angle
Gaining head control and is able to lift head between 45 to 90 degrees, without tilting head to either side
Spending a total of 1 hour each day in Tummy Time
Starting to visually track toys or rattles you move around during Tummy Time

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 3 months!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Place baby tummy down on an exercise ball, holding their sides for support. Slowly move the ball toward and away from you, allowing baby to lift and hold their head more easily.

At 4 months, baby is...

Lifting head up 90 degrees and keeping their head centered
Pushing up on forearms and brings chest off floor. Elbows will be under their shoulders at a 90 degree angle or in front of shoulders.
Lifting head and moving neck to track toys, voices, and faces during Tummy Time

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 4 months!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Babies love faces—even their own! Use mirrors during Tummy Time to help keep them engaged and having fun.

At 5 months, baby is...

Beginning to push up on hands with straight elbows
Starting to move hands forward to reach for toys that are placed nearby

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 5 months!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Do baby push-ups. Place hands under baby’s chest and tummy, and use gentle lifting cues to get baby to push up on hands for brief periods.

At 6+ months, baby is...

Self-directing Tummy Time
Reaching and grabbing toys of different sizes while on tummy
Able to pivot in a circle while on stomach
Rolling from back to tummy and tummy to back
Starting to prefer being on their stomach. Being on their tummy allows them to play, move, and explore more easily.

Watch baby do Tummy Time at 6 months!

Expert Tummy Time tip: Encourage baby to practice rolling and moving while on their tummy. Use toys to keep them motivated!

How Tummy Time Helps Baby's Development

Tummy Time helps baby's motor and sensory development

Tummy Time is crucial for healthy motor, sensory and visual development:

Motor

Strengthens baby’s back, neck, shoulders, and core muscles.
Build a foundation for baby to meet motor milestones including rolling, sitting, crawling, and more.

Sensory

Feeling different textures (blankets, carpet, etc.) on their arms, hands, and cheeks can help baby’s sense of touch (tactile sense).
As baby moves and their weight shifts, they gain a sense of body awareness (proprioception).
Positioning baby differently helps develop their movement and balance (vestibular sense).

Vision

Helps develop hand-eye coordination. By looking down at their hands, baby is seeing how they move and what they can do.

Did you know you can use time on the floor to play as an alternative to baby being in a carrier or bouncy seat?

In addition to having proven developmental benefits, Tummy Time can help prevent two conditions: positional plagiocephaly and positional torticollis.

Positional plagiocephaly is the development of flat spots on the back and side of the head, which can lead to asymmetries of the head and face.

Positional torticollis is the stiffening of neck muscles, causing baby’s head to tilt to one side.

Learn More

Tummy Time Tips for Success

If baby isn't enjoying Tummy Time, try some of these ideas!

If baby has different people caring for them...

Make sure all caregivers know Tummy Time is a normal part of baby’s daily routine

If baby resists Tummy Time...

Do a couple minutes of Tummy Time after every diaper change or after every bath so baby starts to expect it

Avoid Tummy Time immediately after feeding

If baby cries during Tummy Time…

Try doing Tummy Time exercises when baby is most happy

Make Tummy Time fun time

Sing songs during Tummy Time to calm and soothe baby
Use rattles, toys, and mirrors to encourage visual tracking
Get down on the floor at baby’s eye level. Baby loves your face!

If baby falls asleep during Tummy Time…

Place them on their back—do not let them sleep on their tummy

Remember: Every bit of Tummy Time makes a difference!

Don’t get discouraged. If you have done plenty of Tummy Time with baby, but are concerned they are not meeting their milestones, bring your concerns to baby’s pediatrician or healthcare provider.

Learn More About Early Detection and Intervention

Tummy Time Activities

Body language: what is the position in which you sleep

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Know yourself

“The position in which you sleep is an interesting material for an expert,” explains Olga Chiesko. - If during the day we can control our body language and avoid certain gestures or movements - indicators of emotions, then at night we take this or that position unconsciously. Many believe that the favorite sleeping position is associated with a particular trait of a person’s character and can even predict his fate. However, this is misleading. It rather reflects the feelings that a person experienced when falling asleep. At night, our body and mind thus continue the dialogue that began in the evening.

So what does our body want to say?

Fetal position

The name of this position perfectly describes the position of the body during sleep: on the side, the back is rounded, the arms are bent at the elbows, and the legs are at the knees and tucked up to the stomach. According to British sleep researcher Chris Idzikowski, most people sleep in this position. Many believe that this pose is a signal that we need protection, that we are trying to return to childhood.

Expert opinion: “The position of the fetus for a person is the most familiar and comfortable, because it is in this position that we are in the womb. There is no need to look for hidden meaning in this. This pose suggests that you just want to calm down and relax. Perhaps something is bothering you or making you feel uncomfortable. ”

Steadfast Tin Soldier

Not the most natural and common position. The arms are extended at the seams and pressed to the body, the back is tense and straight, as if you are squeezed in a cramped space or sleeping between two people.

Expert's opinion: “This position, which is not the most comfortable, indicates that a person is not let go of worries and unfinished business. He seemed ready to jump up and take action at any moment. Perhaps he is worried about important things that await him in the morning. There can be no talk of complete rest and relaxation in such a position.

On the stomach

Shoulders are tight, the spine is tense, the head is turned to the side, breathing and blood circulation are difficult. Doctors say that sleeping on your stomach is extremely unhealthy. Cosmetologists add that such a position leads to the appearance of premature wrinkles, because the skin of the face “crumples” due to contact with the pillow, microcirculation processes are disrupted in it, and besides, dust mites and other microorganisms inhabiting the pillow attack it all night.

Expert opinion: “This posture is an indicator of extreme fatigue. Turning our backs to the outside world, we try to fall asleep as soon as possible, concentrate on rest, subconsciously want to protect our sleep from external aggression. Sometimes, however, the reason forcing us to choose such a position is quite obvious - for example, light or some sounds prevent us from sleeping.

Also, we often fall asleep on our face in a pillow when not at home, because we do not feel comfortable enough in a new environment and thus try to abstract ourselves. This position cannot be called beneficial for the body, but many people say that this is the only way they can fall asleep faster and more soundly.

Hands under a pillow or on your stomach

Whether you lie on your stomach, on your side or on your back, pay attention to where your hands are. If in a dream you hug a pillow or touch your stomach, this is an important body signal.

Expert opinion: “Sometimes touching some objects helps us calm down. Someone turns a knob during a meeting or plays with car keys when approaching a stranger with a request. Touching the pillow or stomach is also a kind of "tranquilizer". In addition, this way the body can signal the need for physical contact.

About the expert: Olga Chiesko is a specialist in non-verbal communication, author of the book “Deciphering Body Language”.

Text: Nina Nabokova Photo Source: Getty Images

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Why do women get a dark line on their stomach during pregnancy?

Many expectant mothers notice that over time a dark vertical line appears on their stomach

Some people are so worried about it that they start to get rid of it by any means, fearing that it will harm their health.

A dark vertical stripe on the abdomen (from Latin Linea nigra ) is one of the most common signs of pregnancy. This brownish line, usually about a centimeter wide, runs from the pubis to the navel, but sometimes it extends to the very top of the abdomen.

This vertical streak appears in most pregnant women and becomes fully visible around the 23rd week of pregnancy.

Why does a streak form?

Skin color often changes during pregnancy, dark spots may appear in different parts of the skin. Like other changes, the appearance of a strip on the abdomen is caused by an increase in hormone levels during the second and third trimester. It gradually gets darker.

By the way, there is one more strip, but white or white line of the abdomen ( linea alba ), which stretches from the navel to the pubis and is present in all people.

However, the brown streak only occurs during pregnancy.

The appearance of a dark line during pregnancy is due to an increase in hormones that affect melanocyte cells, which ultimately leads to the production of more melanin, the pigment on which our skin color depends, that is, this pigment is to blame for everything.

It also causes age spots on the body, darkens the nipples, the skin in the perineum.

When does the dark line appear?

Most pregnant women notice a dark line between the first and second trimesters. And for expectant mothers who are expecting twins or triplets, the strip becomes visible already in the middle of the first trimester.

However, not all pregnant women develop this line. Studies have shown that this phenomenon is characteristic of 75% of expectant mothers.

When will the dark line disappear?

Dark lines on the abdomen disappear gradually a few weeks after childbirth. If a woman is breastfeeding, then the strip will last for several months. In general, it takes time for the dark pigment melanin to stop accumulating in the cells.

Can the strip be dangerous for mother or baby?

This pigment line cannot pose any danger to the child. The fetus is completely protected from external influences. The only problem is that the streak is more pronounced in women with dark skin. This is usually caused by hyperpigmentation. But there is nothing to worry about here either. She, though slowly, but also disappears after childbirth.

Is it possible to predict the gender of the unborn child using the strip?

There is an old saying that if a woman has a brownish line passing through the center of the navel, then she will have a girl, and if the line passes by the navel, as if rushing around the navel, then there will be a boy. However, there are no scientific theories or studies to support this.

How to remove a dark line during pregnancy?

The appearance of a stripe is a natural process, and there is no way you can get rid of it completely. However, you can follow some rules so that the skin does not darken even more.