The Essential Benefits of Tummy Time for Your Baby’s Development

Understanding Tummy Time Beyond Neck Strength

When most people think of tummy time, they often focus solely on building neck strength. While lifting their head is indeed an important milestone, tummy time offers so much more. This simple activity lays the foundation for your baby’s development in ways you may not have considered. Let’s explore the other benefits of tummy time that parents often overlook.

The benefits of tummy time are far beyond neck control

As a side note: In our practice Dynamic Chiropractic, we have also had parents not concerned about tummy time originally because they have felt that their neck strength has been strong already. We do have another blog article that dives into this misconception here if that also is of interest to you.

1. Core Strength and Postural Foundations

Spending time on their tummy encourages babies to engage their core muscles, abdominals, back, and hips. These tiny “workouts” help prepare your child for rolling, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. Think of tummy time as the very first building block of good posture. This foundation will translate to later milestones, including when they start school and need to sit upright to learn, write, and concentrate.

2. Hand, Wrist, and Shoulder Development

You’ll often notice your baby pushing through their hands or propping themselves up on their elbows. These actions strengthen the shoulder girdle and improve wrist stability, both essential for fine motor skills later on. Skills like holding toys, self-feeding, and even handwriting have their roots in these early movements.

3. Sensory Exploration

On their tummy, babies experience the world from a different perspective. They feel textures under their hands, shift their weight from side to side, and learn how their body moves through space. These little sensory experiments play a significant role in brain development and coordination.

4. Preventing Flat Spots

One of the most practical benefits of tummy time is that it gives your baby’s head a break from lying on their back. This can reduce the chance of developing flat spots (plagiocephaly) and encourages a nice round head shape. If you notice that your child has a flat spot or is favouring one side more than the other, make sure you bring them in for a check-up. Tummy time can be uncomfortable for them, and we want to correct this issue to avoid long-term discomfort or asymmetries. You can book an appointment online here.

5. Visual Tracking and Eye Development

When a baby is face-down, they naturally look around, follow toys, or track a parent’s face. These small but repeated visual exercises support eye-hand coordination and depth perception, both crucial for later developmental milestones.

6. Early Confidence and Play

Tummy time is also about exploration and play. Babies learn that they can move their bodies to reach something exciting. That sense of “I can do it” builds confidence and lays the groundwork for independent movement and problem-solving later in life.

Making Tummy Time Work for You

Not every baby loves tummy time right away, and that’s okay. Start small, just a few minutes at a time, and build it into play. Lie down on the floor with your little one, place a mirror in front of them, or use a rolled towel under the chest for extra support. Little tweaks can make it more enjoyable for everyone.

If you’d like step-by-step guidance, our Tummy Time Online Course walks you through practical strategies and fun activities you can use at home to make tummy time a positive part of your daily routine.

Supporting Your Baby’s Development

At our clinic, we see firsthand how these early milestones affect a child’s long-term growth. Through gentle paediatric chiropractic care, we support babies and families as they navigate movement, posture, and those all-important early motor skills.

The Importance of Consistency

To truly reap the benefits of tummy time, consistency is key. Aim for short sessions throughout the day. This approach not only helps your baby get used to being on their tummy but also integrates tummy time into their daily routine.

Engaging Activities for Tummy Time

Incorporating fun activities can make tummy time more enjoyable. Here are a few ideas:

• Use Toys: Place colourful toys just out of reach to encourage your baby to reach for them.

• Play Music: Soft music can create a calming atmosphere and keep your baby engaged.

• Tummy Time with Friends: If possible, have playdates with other babies. They can motivate each other to enjoy tummy time.

  
  

Final Thoughts

Tummy time is about so much more than neck control. It’s about giving your baby the tools for movement, exploration, and learning. From core strength to sensory awareness, the benefits stretch far into childhood and beyond. Please get in touch with us if you feel that your little one is finding it hard or has certain challenges during tummy time.

By understanding the comprehensive benefits of tummy time, you can better support your baby's development and ensure they are on the right path to achieving their milestones.