Written by Olga Barrett

One of the most important baby milestones is tummy time. Not only is it crucial in building your baby’s strength, it’s essential for your baby’s brain, body and learning. It’s foundational in your baby’s future learning and should become a part of everyday play.

What is Tummy Time and Why Does It Matter?

Tummy time is when your baby lies on their stomach while awake and supervised. It might look like just a bit of wiggling, but this simple position plays a powerful role in your baby’s development.

At GymbaROO and through our Active Babies Smart Kids online video series, we’ve helped thousands of families support early development through movement. It is one of the first and most important building blocks. 

It’s more than a parenting trend. In fact, from an evolutionary point of view, tummy time is part of what nature intended. Tummy time should be a no-brainer when it comes to baby development. 

Despite changes in our parenting habits, human biology and physiology have not changed in 150,000 years. Our bodies are still wired to develop through movement and that starts with gravity-based activity on the tummy.

Some researchers have questioned tummy time’s importance, pointing to babies who skip crawling or hit milestones out of order. But for major developmental changes like that to become the norm, our environments would need to evolve dramatically and that takes many thousands of years.

Until then, tummy time remains a vital part of how babies build strength, coordination and the neural pathways that support everything from balance and posture to reading and writing later on. 

At GymbaROO, tummy time is woven into every Baby ROO class. We support babies in developmentally safe and enjoyable ways.

 

Common Challenges with Tummy Time and How to Fix Them

Modern life has introduced a few common barriers to successful tummy time learning:

1. Late introduction: If tummy time is not introduced from birth, babies may resist it more as they grow.
2. Hard surfaces: Floors or cot mattress can feel too firm, making babies uncomfortable.
3. High muscle tone after birth: Many babies are born with tight, extended posture. This can make tummy time physically challenging. Signs include back-arching, holding the head too high or “falling” out of position – not because the baby is rolling, but because they’re overstretched. 
4. Incorrect handling: How a baby is carried, lifted or placed on the floor can impact comfort or readiness. 

Many parents say their baby cries during tummy time. That’s okay – it just means they’re adjusting. Here are simple ways to make it easier:

• Begin tummy time on your chest. It’s warm, soft and familiar.
• If they struggle to lift their head, focus on keeping their elbows tucked in. This will take away too much pressure on their neck muscles.
• Start small with up to 60 seconds, then you can start to work towards longer sessions of 2-3 minutes. 
• Do your tummy time sessions when you have a happy baby. 
• A 0 to 3-month-old will not reach. Instead, slowly move a toy or ball in front of them so they can follow with their eyes and later reach for it.  
• Massage your baby from head to toe so they relax into the position and feel your presence while also feeling their own body. The feeling of deep touch is very important in the first 3 – 4 months.
• Find assistance with programs like GymbaROO and Active Babies Smart Kids to help you feel more confident

The Balance of Tummy Time

While tummy time is beneficial, it’s also possible to overdo it. Some respectful parenting approaches argue against any tummy time at all, fearing it will distress the baby. However, at GymbaROO we support a middle path of following the baby’s signals and needs, while creating the right environment for tummy time to happen naturally. 

As Emmi Pikler’s fifth principle suggests: “Create opportunities and conditions so the infant feels comfortable and ready for the next skill.”

Babies are never put into a position which they cannot get into by themselves. By respecting a baby’s developmental readiness and supporting tummy time, we set the stage for rolling, creeping, crawling and confident movement. 

 

Join a Baby ROO Class at GymbaROO

Want to know all about baby milestones, tummy time and give your baby the best start to their learning journey? Find your local GymbaROO centre and sign up to their Baby ROO classes. 

 

Author: 

Olga Barrett holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (TESL) and a Certificate IV in Early Childhood Development. She has been a GymbaROO Teacher for 13 years (10 years as GymbaROO Geelong Franchisee). Her qualifications also include: MNRI Dynamic and Postural Reflexes, Archetype Movements; Rhythmic Movement Training L1-2; INPP Practitioner; Infant Massage; First Steps Method Specialist 0-2y.