Tummy time for babies: Why this simple exercise is critical for your baby’s motor skills development

Infant motor skills: One of the most important benefits of tummy time is that it strengthens your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles (Image: Canva)

The day your newborn enters your life, a whole new language comes with them. Nappies, burps, swaddles, and colic become part of your everyday vocabulary. And then there’s tummy time—a phrase that seems simple enough but holds the secret to helping your little one build strength and confidence. When your baby, lying on their belly, tiny arms pushing up from the floor, head bobbing unsteadily as they take in the world from a new angle. It’s cute but it’s also more important. It is the foundation for their physical development, building muscles that will eventually help them roll, crawl, and sit up on their own.

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, tummy time refers to placing your baby on their stomach while they are awake and you are watching them. Starting this practice early helps build strength in your baby’s neck, shoulders, arms, and back. “Tummy time may seem like just another step in the parenting routine, but it’s anything but trivial,” says Dr Pradeep Jain, Paediatrician, Vatsalya Childcare, Jodhpur. “These muscles are essential for future developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking,” he adds.

Dr Jain elaborates the benefits of tummy time in your baby’s development:

Strengthens neck and shoulder muscles: One of the most important benefits of tummy time is that it strengthens your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles. As your baby lifts their head to look around, they develop the muscle control needed for head support, which will be important as they grow.

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Prevents flat head syndrome: Babies spend a lot of time lying on their backs, especially when sleeping. This can lead to a condition known as positional plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome. Tummy time helps prevent this by giving your baby a break from lying on their back and encourages the natural shaping of the head.

Encourages motor skills: By being on their stomach, babies learn to push themselves up, kick their legs, and reach for toys. These are early motor skills that pave the way for future mobility. Tummy time helps babies practice movements they’ll use later on, such as rolling, sitting up, and crawling.

Supports cognitive development: While tummy time is mostly about physical growth, it also plays a role in cognitive development. As babies lift their heads and move their arms, they are learning how to coordinate their bodies and explore their surroundings. This enhances their sensory and spatial awareness.

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Promotes hand-eye coordination: When babies are on their stomachs, they often try to reach for objects around them. This helps develop hand-eye coordination, a skill they will need for tasks like grabbing, feeding themselves, and eventually writing.

Improves visual development: Tummy time encourages babies to look up and around, which helps develop their vision. As they lift their heads and focus on objects, their ability to track movement and focus on different distances improves.

Improves digestion: Tummy time can also help with digestion. The gentle pressure on their stomach may help relieve gas or prevent constipation, making your baby more comfortable.

Develops balance: Learning to balance while lifting their head and chest off the ground helps babies develop the coordination and balance they’ll need when they start crawling and walking.

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Strengthens parent-baby bonding: Last but not the least, tummy time is a great way for you to bond with your baby. Laying down next to your baby, making eye contact, and interacting with them during tummy time creates moments of connection and shared discovery.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your health specialist for more information.