You place your brand-new baby on their belly, step back with cautious optimism, and within seconds you're rewarded with the most outraged expression you've ever seen on a tiny human face. Welcome to tummy time.
Why It Matters: Since the AAP's "Back to Sleep" campaign in the 1990s dramatically reduced SIDS, more babies spend less time on their bellies while awake. Tummy time is the counterbalance. It builds the neck, shoulder, and core strength babies need for rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. It also helps prevent flat spots (positional plagiocephaly) from too much back-lying.
When to Start: From day one, as soon as you get home from the hospital. Start with just 2–3 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
How to Make It Work: Do it on your chest — skin-to-skin tummy time on a parent's chest doesn't feel like tummy time to the baby but delivers the same benefits. Use a rolled towel or small pillow under their chest for support. Get down at eye level with your baby — your face is the most interesting thing in the room. Use a high-contrast toy or mirror to motivate them to lift their head. Try it after a diaper change, when baby is alert but not hungry.
Goals by Age: 1 month: 2–5 minutes, 2–3 times per day. 2 months: 10–15 minutes total per day. 3–4 months: 20–30 minutes total per day. 5–6 months: Baby begins rolling and will direct their own tummy time naturally.
Tummy time is always supervised. Never leave baby alone on their tummy.
