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When to Start Tummy Time with Your Newborn

ByBree Wright

Believe it or not, tummy time can strengthen your baby’s neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests starting supervised tummy time within the first week for full-term babies. It’s especially beneficial for babies with torticollis or flat head syndrome. Regular, supervised floor time supports healthy newborn development and encourages physical activity.

In this blog post, I explain the numerous benefits of tummy time and it’s best to get started on this fun activity with your little one!

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Benefits

Tummy time offers numerous benefits for your baby’s development, helping them reach important milestones and promoting overall physical strength. Let’s explore the key advantages of incorporating tummy time into your baby’s daily routine!

Strengthening Muscles

Tummy time strengthens your baby’s neck, shoulder, and arm muscles, as your little one works to lift their head and push up using their arms. This strengthening of neck muscles is crucial for future milestones like sitting up, crawling, and walking independently. Infants who engage in regular tummy time often achieve these milestones earlier. It sets the foundation for their physical development and coordination.

improving motor skills

As well as muscles, tummy time is essential for promoting your baby’s motor skill development. It allows them to experience various body positions and movements. These baby exercises improve their ability to control muscles and complete different actions. As your baby grows, tummy time can transition into crawling, walking, and playtime. This further enhances their physical activity and overall development. Aim for 15 to 20 minutes of tummy time per day.

Incorporating safe tummy time practices sets the foundation for a strong, active future. Celebrate each newborn milestone as your little one gains strength, coordination, and confidence through this powerful activity!

a baby peacefully sleeps with their head resting on folded arms inside a pink bucket lined with a soft beige blanket. they wear a delicate floral headband. the background is a rustic wooden floor, captured beautifully by a sacramento maternity and newborn photographer at their renowned studio.

When to Start Tummy Time with Your Newborn

Babies can actually begin tummy time a day or two after birth! But be sure to start with a only few minutes, once or twice daily. For safety, it’s so important to ensure your baby is awake, alert, and supervised during these sessions. Place your baby on a firm surface, like a blanket on the floor. Avoid beds or furniture they could fall from. Provide safe toys to encourage movement and head turning.

Increasing the Duration

As your baby gradually grows stronger, it’s great increase tummy time frequency and duration. By one month, start daily exercises to strengthen neck and back muscles. Aim for 10-15 minutes of tummy time several times a day. It is advised to aim for several short tummy time sessions totaling an hour a day by the time the baby is 3 months old.

Every baby adjusts to tummy time differently. If your baby dislikes floor sessions, try alternatives like a rolled-up towel, your lap, or chest. By 6-7 months, most babies become mobile and explore independently!

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Conclusion

Tummy time is crucial for newborns, offering many benefits. It helps build strength in neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. This practice prevents flat spots on the head and promotes motor skill development. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests two to three daily sessions, each lasting three to five minutes.

Babies who do tummy time may reach gross motor milestones earlier, and studies show that infants who practice regularly often have better sleep patterns. They tend to enjoy more restful nights. Visual stimulation during sessions can boost engagement and developmental progress, which helps your baby’s overall growth and learning.

Eager to learn more about how you can take care of your little one? Look no further, check out my website for information on newborns and to book a personalised newborn photography session today!

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Bree Wright

Bree Wright (formerly Franklin) is the founder and lead photographer at Tiny Dreamers Studio, a luxury maternity and newborn photography studio serving the Greater Sacramento area. With over 15 years of experience capturing life's most precious moments, Bree has perfected the art of creating heirloom-quality portraits that families cherish for generations.

Based in Auburn, CA, Bree's signature approach combines technical expertise with genuine emotional connection, resulting in photographs that are both artistically stunning and authentically meaningful. Her work has earned recognition throughout Northern California, with Tiny Dreamers Studio consistently ranked among the top newborn photography studios in the region.

As a specialist in luxury maternity, newborn, and baby milestone photography, Bree meticulously curates every aspect of her sessions—from couture wardrobe selections featuring over 100 designer gowns to custom-designed sets that complement each family's unique style. Her comprehensive, stress-free approach ensures clients can focus entirely on the experience while she handles every detail with professional precision.

When not behind the camera, Bree shares her expertise through her blog, where she offers insights on photography techniques, session preparation, and creative concepts for capturing family milestones. Connect with Bree on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest to see her latest work and studio updates.

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