Tummy time is placing your baby on his stomach to play

Tummy time is placing your baby on his stomach to play. Practicing tummy time helps babies develop the muscles necessary to lift their heads and, eventually, to sit up, crawl and walk. Remember, "back to sleep, tummy to play”: Your baby should always be awake during tummy time and under your careful watch. From around 3 months of age, if you find that your baby has difficulty lifting their head, you can roll up a towel and pop it under their armpits.

You can start trying tummy time from birth. But to begin with, it’s best to try it with your baby lying on your chest, rather than on the floor, so that you can keep control of what they’re doing. By having your baby on your chest, you’re able to give them a listen to the familiar sound of a heartbeat, which can help keep them relaxed and calm. It's important to make sure that your baby does not get too hot so don’t use blankets over you both. And make sure that you are wide awake. It's easy to feel sleepy while enjoying a lovely face to face cuddle, but falling asleep with your baby, especially on a sofa or armchair, can be dangerous.

Tummy Time is the period during the day your baby spends awake and on their stomach. It is a crucial exercise for baby’s visual, motor, and sensory development. Baby nap mats should keep babies in safe sleeping positions. Above all else, a mat must have safety features that allow for unobstructed breathing in the event babies lean or roll over. Certain manufacturers volunteer to have their baby nap mats undergo rigorous testing by independent safety organizations.