When you first bring your baby home, everything is new—diapers, feeding routines, sleeping patterns, and all the tiny milestones that suddenly feel huge. One of those important little things that pediatricians always mention is tummy time. At first, it may sound a bit odd—why does a baby need to lie on their stomach if they mostly sleep on their back? But as it turns out, tummy time is more than just a recommendation. It plays a big role in how babies grow and develop in their first months.
Tummy time is exactly what it sounds like: supervised time your baby spends lying on their stomach while they’re awake. It might seem like a small thing, but it has a big purpose. When your baby is on their tummy, they’re working muscles that are key to helping them hold their head up, roll over, sit, crawl, and eventually walk. Think of it like a mini workout designed just for infants.
You can actually start tummy time right after birth, as early as your baby’s first week home. The idea isn’t to do it for long stretches right away—just a minute or two at a time, a few times a day. That may not sound like much, but for a newborn, it’s enough to start building strength. As your baby gets older, you gradually increase the time. By the time they’re about three months old, they may be doing up to an hour total each day, broken into shorter sessions.
Why does this matter? Because in today’s world, babies spend a lot of time on their backs. They sleep on their backs, which is the safest position to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). They’re often in car seats, strollers, or swings that keep them reclined. While all of that is important for safety and convenience, it means they aren’t naturally getting as much time to develop the muscles in their neck, shoulders, arms, and back. Tummy time is how we balance that out.
Pediatricians talk about tummy time because they’ve seen what can happen when babies don’t get enough of it. One common issue is something called positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. When a baby spends too much time lying on their back, the back of their head can become flat in one spot. It’s a cosmetic issue, but one that can be avoided. Tummy time helps by giving their head a break from resting against a surface.
Another concern is delayed motor development. Babies who don’t get enough tummy time may take longer to reach certain milestones. They might have weaker upper body strength, making it harder to lift their head or push up on their arms. This can slow down the process of learning to crawl and sit up, which are major building blocks for later skills like walking and even coordination in play and learning activities.
What’s reassuring is that tummy time doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need any special equipment. You don’t need to follow a strict schedule. It’s more about consistency and making it part of your daily routine. One of the best times to try it is after a diaper change or after a nap—when your baby is awake and alert but not too hungry or too full. You can spread a blanket on the floor, lie your baby on their belly, and get down to their level. Talk to them, sing, make faces—anything to keep them interested. Some babies take to it right away, while others fuss a bit at first. That’s totally normal. It’s new and challenging for them, so it’s okay to take it slow.
You can also get creative with how you do tummy time. Some parents like to use a small rolled-up towel or tummy time pillow under the baby’s chest to help prop them up a little in the beginning. This can make it easier for them to lift their head and look around. Other parents do tummy time by lying back on the couch or bed and placing the baby on their chest. Babies love this version because they get to look right at your face—and that connection makes all the difference.
As your baby gets stronger, you’ll notice the changes. At first, they might barely lift their head. A few weeks later, they’re holding it up and turning it from side to side. Then they’re pushing up on their arms, looking around, starting to wriggle and scoot. Every bit of tummy time helps lay the foundation for all those exciting next steps.
One of the reasons pediatricians keep emphasizing tummy time is because they’ve seen how the early weeks and months really shape a baby’s physical development. What you do now—these short, simple sessions on the floor—sets the stage for everything that comes after. It’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about giving your baby the opportunity to move and explore in a way that supports their natural growth.
For parents, it’s also a great chance to bond. Tummy time isn’t just a chore to check off a list. It’s a moment to slow down, get face-to-face with your baby, and cheer them on as they try something new. It’s a reminder that development isn’t always about big leaps—it’s also about the tiny, everyday efforts that slowly build up to something amazing.
Of course, every baby is different. Some take to tummy time easily, while others need more encouragement. The key is to keep it positive. If your baby doesn’t like it at first, try shorter sessions. Add toys or mirrors to keep their attention. Make it a part of play rather than a task. If you’re worried about your baby’s progress, your pediatrician is always there to guide you. They can offer tips, check muscle tone and movement, and make sure everything’s on track.
The truth is, in the whirlwind of parenting, tummy time might seem like a small detail. But it’s one of those small things that matters more than we realize. It’s simple. It’s free. And it makes a real difference. You’re helping your baby build strength, coordination, and confidence—all by giving them the time and space to explore the world from a new angle.
So lay out the blanket, get down on the floor, and enjoy those little moments. They’re working hard down there—even when it looks like just a wiggle and a grunt. And one day, not too far from now, those little wobbly head lifts will turn into rolling, crawling, standing, and first steps. All thanks, in part, to the quiet power of tummy time.
