This practice is particularly supportive for babies who have oral ties or feeding challenges. Time spent on the belly helps with jaw and neck mobility, encourages better head control, and supports the development of the muscles used in suckswallow-breathe coordination. As babies learn to push, lift, and shift their weight, they begin to understand their body’s capabilities. These experiences provide critical input to the sensory and nervous systems, helping infants feel more grounded and responsive. Meeting Babies Where They Are For some families, tummy time doesn’t go as planned. It’s common to hear that a baby becomes upset when placed on the floor or doesn’t tolerate being on their the baby gets older. Tummy time and floor time is foundational for the strength and mobility needed for future milestones such as eating, rolling, crawling, and sitting. More Than Muscle: The Full Spectrum of Tummy Time Benefits Beyond strengthening neck and core muscles, tummy time supports essential developmental functions. Babies begin to activate their shoulders and upper back, develop visual tracking skills, and organize reflexes that are critical to movement and self-regulation. These movements also stretch the fascia, the connective tissue that wraps around muscles and organs, which can become tight or restricted during birth (and any perceived trauma or danger). 106 HAWAII PARENT September/October 2025 Tummy time supports the development of core strength, balance, and coordination—essential skills for rolling, crawling, and sitting up. “Parents can start tummy time as early as the first few days of a baby’s life and adjust the type of tummy time and length of tummy time as the baby gets older.”
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