Today I encountered a question: a mother who is still in her postpartum confinement asked whether it’s okay for her baby, who has just turned 20 days old, to practice tummy time on the bed as instructed by the nanny.
Many parents are dismissive about tummy time. Some think that a baby’s development should be left to nature and there is no need for early practice; others only know the rhyme “a common child development rhyme: babies roll over around 3 months, sit up around 6 months, get teeth around 7 months, and crawl around 8 months” (babies roll over at three months, sit at six months, get teeth at seven months, crawl at eight months). When their baby hasn’t rolled over by three or four months, they panic, but they are unaware of the saying “a common child development rhyme describing how babies first lift their head, then raise their chest” (first lift the head, then lift the chest). Actually, “a common child development rhyme describing how babies first lift their head, then raise their chest” is also part of a baby’s gross‑motor development. Gross‑motor development is continuous and progressive; if a baby lags in earlier milestones such as lifting the head, lifting the chest, or rolling over, later milestones like crawling and walking will be affected, making it hard for them to learn those quickly.
For babies, learning to lift the head, lift the chest, and roll over all require tummy time; tummy time can be considered the foundation of these gross‑motor skills. In fact, among all movements, tummy time is the most suitable exercise for newborns, bringing many benefits: it helps the baby strengthen the body, see a new world, promotes the development of head‑lifting and chest‑lifting, and lays a good foundation for later rolling, crawling, and walking.
Benefits of Baby Tummy Time
Tummy time means the baby lies on its stomach in a prone position. This movement is an important process for the development of anti‑gravity muscle stretch in babies. It seems simple but offers many benefits.
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Promotes muscle development in various parts of the baby.
Do you remember what your baby looks like when doing tummy time?
I recall Ding Dong’s first tummy time; his neck was still weak, yet he strained hard, trying to lift his head a little higher. He was very diligent and cute.
Babies are full of curiosity about the world. When lying on their backs, they see mostly the ceiling, which is very boring. Once they get a chance to see the world from a different angle, they become very happy and work hard. So when we place the baby on the bed in a prone position, they try hard to lift their head. Although they can’t hold it for long, during this process the muscles of the head and neck are well exercised. While lifting the head, they also support themselves with their hands on the mattress, using considerable force in the shoulders, arms and wrists, which also strengthens those muscles. This kind of exercise lays a solid foundation for later fine motor skills such as grasping objects and using a spoon to eat. -
Promotes the development of head‑lifting and chest‑lifting movements.
Babies are curious about the world, so when they are on their tummy they won’t stay still; most of the time they are trying hard to lift their head and chest, hoping to raise their head and chest higher to see more scenery. Therefore, regular tummy time promotes the development of head‑lifting and chest‑lifting.
Once the baby becomes proficient at tummy time, they will also turn their little heads to broaden their view, looking around carefully and observing the world. This behavior also helps the baby develop active observation and attention. -
Promotes overall body coordination and tactile development.
For a baby just learning tummy time, the movement is not simple. To lie well and steadily, the whole body must coordinate: how much force should the neck and head use to lift the head successfully? How much force should the arms and shoulders use to raise the chest higher? Therefore, tummy time can also promote overall body coordination.
In addition, during tummy time the baby’s palms are in contact with the bed surface or other objects, which is beneficial for the baby’s tactile development. -
Helps prevent gastrointestinal discomfort such as colic.
Many mothers notice that whenever a baby feels stomach discomfort, lying on the tummy for a while makes them much more comfortable, even the troublesome gas and bloating can be relieved. This is because when the baby lies on its tummy, the pressure affects intestinal motility, turning the usual back‑and‑forth movement of the intestines into a “rubbing” motion, which further promotes intestinal peristalsis and digestion, thereby reducing gas and indigestion.
Moreover, tummy time is also a form of exercise that helps the baby expend a lot of energy, speeds up food digestion, and reduces cases of indigestion.
When to Practice Tummy Time
Now that we know the benefits of tummy time, when is the best time for a baby to practice it? Can a 20‑day‑old baby do tummy time? This period is the golden window for tummy‑time practice; parents should learn it early and not miss it.
0‑1‑Month Baby
In theory, a full‑term baby can start tummy time after two weeks of birth, and many nannies do this. However, a two‑week‑old baby’s neck is still very soft, and without careful attention it is easy to get injured. Therefore, unless there is a professional to assist, it is not recommended to practice tummy time for a newborn in the postpartum month.
1‑3‑Month Baby
A one‑month‑old baby can move the whole body in a random fashion; the neck is still soft but can turn a little. They can try to lift the head and enjoy bending their legs. At this stage they can have a short tummy time, but the frequency should not be too high and the duration should be short – about two to three times a day, a few minutes each time.
A two‑month‑old baby likes to be held upright by the mother. When held upright, the head can slightly straighten and turn with the line of sight, though only briefly. During tummy time, the baby can lift the head to about 45 degrees for a short period, and can practice a little with mom’s company.
A three‑month‑old baby can hold the head straight and turn it flexibly with the gaze. While on the tummy, the baby can lift the head from 45 to 90 degrees for a short time, much more stable than before. The baby also enjoys kicking movements, lifting the legs up and down from time to time, which is very cute.
In fact, 1‑3 months is the golden period for tummy‑time practice. If the baby practices regularly during this stage, after three months you will be pleasantly surprised to find that the baby can sustain tummy time for 5‑10 minutes. Conversely, if the baby did not get enough practice, after three months the baby will only be able to lift the head briefly at 45‑90 degrees, showing a big difference compared with babies who practiced.
4‑6‑Month Baby
At four months, the baby can support the body with the arms, lift the chest off the mattress, and raise the head to about 45‑90 degrees. Generally, even if the baby did not practice tummy time in the 1‑3‑month period, they will usually do quite well at four months, though the duration and stability may vary.
At five months, the baby can support the body with the forearms, lifting the head and chest high, raising the head to 90 degrees, and the chest is almost completely off the mattress. Some babies also rock their bodies, kick their legs, or “swim” with their arms while on the tummy – all signs that rolling over is coming.
At six months, the baby can lie on the tummy for a long time and has become proficient at rolling over. As the saying goes, “a common child development rhyme: babies roll over around 3 months, sit up around 6 months, get teeth around 7 months, and crawl around 8 months” (about 90 % of babies can roll over skillfully by five months, and at six months they are even more proficient). Their tummy‑time skills are also excellent, able to sustain tummy time for 10‑20 minutes continuously, although babies who did not practice may be a bit behind.
Therefore, 1‑3 months is the golden period for tummy‑time practice. If parents can guide and help the baby during this time, the baby’s development will be greatly enhanced!
How to Practice Tummy Time
Tummy time is the foundation of a baby’s gross‑motor development; it appears simple but is actually complex. As parents, you should accompany your baby patiently, choose the right timing, create a suitable environment, and guide the baby in a fun and enjoyable way!
- Choose the right timing
The golden period of 1‑3 months has been mentioned. Within this period, when is the best time to practice tummy time? There are three requirements:
① The baby is awake. After the baby wakes up drowsily, don’t rush into tummy time; wait until the baby is fully awake.
② The baby is in a good mood. Acceptance of tummy time varies; some babies enjoy new movements, while others may resist and show signs of protest. If resistance appears, stop immediately and never force the baby, as forcing will only increase resistance and be detrimental to practice.
③ No tummy time within 20 minutes after feeding. Practicing immediately after a feed can easily cause spitting up, which is not good for the baby’s health. Generally, it is recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after feeding.
- Choose a suitable environment
The tummy‑time movement is relatively simple, and when a baby first practices, they will stay in one place, so the area does not need to be large; it just needs to allow the baby to stretch the limbs comfortably. For safety, keep the baby’s tummy‑time spot away from the edge of the bed, and remove any hazardous items from the surroundings to prevent injury.
① The surface. The spot should be neither too hard nor too soft, and the temperature should be comfortable. If using a bed, avoid a too‑soft mattress, as the baby’s arms cannot bear weight and it will be difficult to stay steady. If on the floor or a heated platform (kang), it is best to place a thick pad underneath to avoid the hardness that could hurt the baby’s arms and to prevent the baby’s belly from getting cold.
② The surroundings. Keep the area free of dangerous objects, and avoid placing quilts, blankets, or plush toys nearby. When the baby gets tired and lies back, these soft items could block the baby’s mouth and nose; if not noticed in time, they could jeopardize the baby’s safety.
③ Someone should be present. While the baby practices tummy time, a parent (usually the mother) must stay beside the baby, monitor the baby’s condition, and be ready to adjust the position at any time.
- Encourage the baby to practice tummy time
For a young baby, tummy time is a relatively difficult movement, and during practice they may show resistance. This requires the mother to use some appropriate