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What are the benefits of tummy time?

  • Writer: Kim Ellner
    Kim Ellner
  • Jan 27
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jan 28


Tummy time is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways to support your baby’s development. Far more than just an exercise, tummy time helps build strength, coordination, and connection, while laying the foundation for feeding, movement, and nervous system regulation.


When done gently and consistently, tummy time supports your baby’s whole body development in ways that extend well beyond motor milestones.


Benefits of Tummy Time

Tummy time offers a wide range of benefits for babies, including:

  • Facilitating breastfeeding by optimally mobilizing and engaging the face, tongue, jaw, throat, and neck muscles

  • Promoting optimal head shape by offsetting extended time spent on the back, in car seats, and other baby seats

  • Reducing gas while stimulating healthy digestion and elimination

  • Improving posture by supporting symmetry, balance, and natural alignment

  • Promoting social and emotional connection through face to face interaction

  • Supporting the integration of oral, primitive, and postural reflexes


How Do Babies With Tongue, Lip, or Buccal Ties Benefit From Bodywork and Tummy Time?


Babies with tongue, lip, or buccal ties often develop compensatory movement patterns in both the mouth and the body. These patterns can affect feeding, posture, coordination, and nervous system regulation.


Bodywork, including Craniosacral Therapy (CST) and Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT), combined with tummy time, helps support neuromuscular changes by encouraging new, healthier movement patterns. Together, they target the tongue, posture, and whole body coordination while supporting improved range of motion, function, and regulation.


When Should I Begin Introducing Tummy Time?


Newborn to 3 Weeks

Tummy time starts immediately. A baby resting on a caregiver’s chest is already doing tummy time. When placing baby on your chest, position them low enough to easily turn their head side to side. If baby’s head rests on your shoulder, they will often favor turning in one direction.


Around 3 Weeks and Beyond

As baby begins to turn their head more intentionally, you can increase engagement. While baby is on your chest, have someone at baby’s eye level making eye contact, calling their name, or interacting playfully to encourage head turning from side to side. This can be a great role for an older sibling.


How to Do Tummy Time on a Surface

Moving Tummy Time to a firm surface can feel challenging at first, and that’s normal. Tummy time should feel supportive and engaging, not stressful.

  1. Hold baby close to your chest and slowly lower them onto a safe surface such as a bed or floor. Rise up and socialize with baby.

  2. Gently and slowly help baby roll onto their side and then onto their belly. If baby stiffens, pause and wait for their body to relax.

  3. Once baby is belly down, help free their arms if needed and lower yourself to baby’s eye level. Talk, sing, and engage with facial expressions.

  4. Many babies lift their legs and bottom to raise their head. Instead, gently place your palm on their bottom and hold it down. This increases the engagement of the back, neck, and head muscles. Some effort is helpful, but avoid pushing baby into distress.

  5. If baby’s arms slide outward, gently guide their forearms so they are more parallel, with elbows near shoulder level. You can use your hands as gentle barriers while strength develops.

  6. Encourage baby to turn their head both right and left to promote symmetry and reduce head turning preferences.

  7. When baby shows signs of being finished, slowly roll them out of tummy time and hold them against your chest to help integrate the experience.

  8. Focus on consistency and quality rather than long sessions. Multiple short sessions are more effective than one long, stressful one.


Need Support With Tummy Time or Feeding?

If you’re unsure how to support your baby with tummy time, feeding challenges, or body tension, our team is here to help. We can guide you through gentle techniques and individualized support during your baby’s appointment.



Sources:

Michelle Emanuel, OT, IBCLC – Tummy Time Method

Carol Gray, LMT, CST, RPYT – Carol Gray Center for CST Studies

 
 
 

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