How does tummy time affect your baby’s motor development?

Tummy time is one of those developmental milestones in a baby’s life that we often don’t realise is much more important than it first seems. From this position come all the early support positions – forearm support, palm support – and later movements like crawling and creeping, and it also helps your little one get ready for rolling over. When your baby is on their tummy while awake, they are working their shoulder girdle, upper back and neck muscles.

As these muscles get stronger, your baby will gradually be able to reach more things from this position and will lift their head higher and higher. At the start, they may really dislike being on their tummy and protest against it, but as their muscles strengthen, the range of movements they can do in this position becomes more varied and enjoyable. Head control develops and the risk of skull deformities decreases. This is a longer process that changes week by week.

It’s important for your baby to spend some time on their tummy every day from newborn age, but only when they are awake. Make sure you don’t put them on their tummy straight after a full feed. If you’re not in the habit of placing your baby on their tummy and you tend to forget, it’s worth deciding which everyday routine you link it to – for example, always before or after a particular daily activity.

Not only movement, but the senses develop too

Baby lying on their tummy with wide arm support

In the tummy position, your baby can observe their surroundings from a different angle. By moving their head, they learn to follow objects. They hear sounds from a different direction and start to recognise where stimuli are coming from. Their hands, arms and chest are in contact with the surface, which develops tactile perception. If you use different surfaces – a play mat, a small blanket – they receive varied sensory input.

How does head control develop in tummy time?

The development of head control is very important, because a child will only be able to move around properly once they can hold their head in all directions without it tilting, and can look around without having to concentrate on holding their head. When this ability becomes automatic, head control is established.

From birth, your baby’s nervous system already enables them to lift their head. At first, of course, this only happens a little and for a short time – just enough to turn their head from one side to the other. Then they gradually lift it higher, eventually reaching almost a 90-degree angle, looking forwards while resting on their forearms. By around 4–5 months, they are able to hold their head and at the same time lift one hand to reach for and grasp an object.

Why is proper head control important for motor development?

If head control is stable, your baby will find the horizon, which in a horizontal line provides them with visual information while they are in a vertical position: sitting, standing, walking. If the horizon is not straight and the image they see is unstable, the information reaching the nervous system is not accurate, and their movements cannot become fully safe and secure.

Tummy time while awake or asleep?

Baby on a play mat in tummy time

From the point of view of motor development, we distinguish between the two. Development happens through tummy time while awake, because during sleep the muscles relax and your baby’s brain is set to rest rather than movement. At that time the muscles are not being trained, so if we want to support motor development, we should place the baby on their tummy during awake periods.

Your baby doesn’t like being on their tummy?

Don’t be discouraged – this is very common. Many parents notice that their little one doesn’t enjoy tummy time and protests against it. They whimper, cry, become impatient. If you think about it, this position really isn’t the most comfortable, because the baby sees less of their surroundings and has to work hard to lift their head, which is relatively big and heavy for them. They try to hold themselves up, but it’s difficult. At the same time, though, it’s very motivating.

When parents rarely place their baby on their tummy, for example because they are worried about cot death (SIDS), the baby doesn’t get used to this position. They spend a lot of time on their back in the cot, car seat or pushchair. If your little one really doesn’t like being on their tummy, it’s worth finding out whether there might be an underlying health reason: muscle weakness, tummy pain, frequent posseting, reflux, or increased muscle tone.

What can you do to help them enjoy it?

It’s a good idea at first to place your baby in the tummy position several times a day for short periods, so that their muscles can gradually strengthen. As a result, they will start to feel more and more comfortable in this position – they may even grow to like it. When they are still weak and you can see that they are really struggling, you can help by keeping them engaged and entertained with toys while they are on their tummy. Pay attention to gradual progress – don’t keep them in this position for long periods at the start.

To make tummy time more enjoyable for your baby, try to come up with positions that are more comfortable or exciting:

Place your baby on your chest. You decide how horizontal you are. You can choose a gradual approach: at first sit more upright in an armchair, holding your baby almost vertically and slowly getting them used to a more horizontal position. This posture provides close body contact, which is pleasant and calming, and helps your baby forget that they are working their muscles. Talk to them or hum a little song while you do this.
Babies often like lying cradled along your forearm and being gently rocked. When mum or dad lays the baby along their forearm, the little one calms down and often dozes off. This is particularly helpful against tummy ache. Holding your baby like this doesn’t really strengthen the muscles, but it helps them get used to the position in a comfortable way.
Do you have a gym ball at home? Then your baby can already start to use it – provided they are at least 3 months old and can hold their head well. But always be careful and use proper support. If you place your baby on top of the ball on their tummy and hold them securely, you can gently rock them forwards–backwards and side to side. As well as being interesting for them, this also strengthens the trunk muscles effectively.

Tummy time is safe for your baby if…

Baby in tummy time with arm support on a firm surface

...they are under your supervision and awake
...you place them on a stable, firmer surface. Soft mattresses and sofas can pose a risk of suffocation
...you pay attention to your baby’s head and body position! Their head should not sink into anything, and they should be able to move it and their arms comfortably
...you get them used to tummy time gradually, because at first their muscles are weak and this position is demanding work for them
...if they protest, you try to motivate them with toys
...they are dressed in comfortable, stretchy clothing that keeps their body at a suitable temperature. You can be sure your little one will feel truly comfortable in tummy time wearing LiaaBébé baby clothes!
...for premature babies, you ask a specialist’s advice about tummy time

When should we consult a specialist?

If your baby continuously lifts their head while on their tummy
If they tend to put their head down mainly on just one side
If after 2.5 months they still cannot hold their head and always let it “drop”
If their head tilts to one side and they hold it asymmetrically
If they don’t use one arm or leg in the same way as the other

Sources:
NHS – How to keep your baby or toddler active (tummy time section)
NCT – Top tips for tummy time