Start tummy time from the first week home

Place your baby on their stomach on a firm, flat surface for short supervised sessions starting in the first week of life. Tummy time builds the neck, shoulder, and core strength needed for rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking.

Steps

1. Lay a clean blanket on the floor and place your baby face-down
2. Start with 3-5 minutes per session, 2-3 times per day in the early weeks
3. Get down on the floor at eye level and talk or sing to keep baby engaged
4. Gradually increase to a total of 15-30 minutes spread across the day by 2 months, and up to an hour total by 3-4 months
5. If baby fusses, try placing a rolled towel under the chest for support, or do tummy time on your chest instead

Tips

• Always supervise tummy time; it is an awake activity only
• Tummy time helps prevent flat spots on the back of the head (positional plagiocephaly)
• Place colorful toys just out of reach to encourage reaching and eventually crawling
• The AAP recommends tummy time as a daily practice from day one