Some babies — and therefore some parents — hate tummy time at first, while others are into it right away. Whatever the case for your little one, though, the goals are consistent: Keep your little one engaged and interested in tummy time — and do it in a safe and expert-approved way. Here’s everything you need to know about when to start tummy time and how to make it enjoyable for all.
Why is tummy time important?
How to do tummy time — and make it fun
As your baby grows, so will her tummy time experience. No matter what her age, though, the general goal is always the same: Tummy time should be fun.
Mom Kia Chambers shared with Mom.com that one of her favorite moments was tummy time with her son. "Some of my favorite moments were reading to him, playing him music… laying baby on my chest for tummy time, and of course, kisses from mommy!"
One way to start is by simply lying on your back, lifting up your baby with her tummy facing the ground, and meeting eyes with her as you make funny faces. This is an especially good option when your baby’s umbilical stump hasn’t fallen off yet. Snuggling her on your chest can also be considered tummy time. Do make sure that your upper body remains at a 45-degree angle.
Once she’s a few weeks old, she can start moving to the floor. If it seems as if she doesn’t like tummy time, try rolling up a little towel and putting it under her armpits and forearms. You can also use any soft little prop, like a nursing pillow or similarly sized stuffed animal (however, it is not safe to let your baby fall asleep with these items). This will help her push up and raise her head, as well as give her new things to look at while she does.
Getting down on her level and making faces, rolling a colorful ball, or doing whatever else engages your baby can also increase her tolerance. Remember, this is exercise, and not all babies are into it. Do whatever you can to make tummy time fun, but don’t push the issue too much if she starts having a meltdown. Just pick her up and try again later.
