When should a new infant start "tummy time"?

Answer 1

some dr's say 6 weeks others say as soon as you go home just for a few minutes at a time. i have found waiting makes them hate being on their bellies, so doing it right away helps them feel secure. my son HATED tummy time because i waited. my daughter was ok with it at first but i stopped when i was moving and had to wait for the carpet to be cleaned and get furniture here etc, now she hates it so we're slowly working back up to it. she pretty much screams after about 2 minutes.

Answer 2

As early as possible. The younger they are when they start, the less annoyed and agrivated they are when you suddenly start putting them on thier tummies.

With all 3 of mine, I had them spend time on thier tummies every day from the time they were a week or two old. I just didn't have them spend a TON of time each time. A few minutes here, a few there. It helps them develope neck muscles. Just don't leave them for too long.

When they start to fuss, it's time to roll them to thier backs.

Answer 3

An infant will usually roll over by themselves by 3 months of age ( I have 3 children). But you can start him/her out out by gently pulling his/her hand in the direction of the roll. Tummytime is good exercise to strengthen the neck muscles. But don't leave the baby too long if he's very young. Best of Luck!

Answer 4

I started my baby almost right away about the 2-3wk. He loved it. It also helps them get stronger because it motivates them to want to lift their heads. My son is 3mths old now (he just turn 3mths) and he started turning himself at 2mths. I couldn't believe it because I though it was too soon but he did and he has ever since. So, the sleeping on his back is not really working anymore because he rolls himself to his belly. He loves to sleep on his belly. I also notice that he sleeps longer on his belly. By the way, put toys in front of the baby when you put him on his tummy so he can enjoy it more.

Answer 5

When they are able to roll over by themselves.

One of the main causes of SIDS is the baby's inability to breath due to their chest structure. Their chest muscles may have not developed enough for them to take a breath while laying on their stomachs (when they breathe, their chest expands outwards, but can't expand into their mattress). Their breath gets shallower and shallower, until they stop breathing.

However, if they can roll over, their brain will get the signal that they aren't breathing correctly and either wake them up, or make them roll over.

Answer 6

At my baby's 2-week appointment, our pediatrician told us to start doing tummy time right away. The baby will tolerate it for longers periods as s/he gets older and stronger.

Answer 7

anytime i think. It will help them get stronger faster, and keep their head shape relatively round. My second son, had a flat spot on his head for a long time, it took a good year for it to grow out, because i didnt do much tummy time with him, and he favored one side. You wont destroy them, if they ge a flat spot, but tummy time is a good way to rotate them till they can hold their heads up.

Answer 8

all my 4 month old wants to do is roll to her tummy

Answer 9

Right away! PUt them on their bellies as soon as you can! I love tummy time! It teaches them upper body strenght!

Answer 10

it depends on the child think about it when you were a baby it was ok to sleep on the belly but now it is not so if your child seems more happy on the belly make sure you turn its head and let them sleep on their belly so really any age