When Should a Newborn Infant Start Tummy Time?

Discussion Tummy time (TT) is one of a newborn’s and young infant’s major physical activities. TT is when an infant is placed awake on a firm surface (such as a floor) in a prone position while supervised by an adult. This encourages the infant to elevate their head and push up with arms to elevate their upper torso. TT is encouraged to be done in short amounts of time several times a day and to increase the amount of time in this supervised position up to 30 minutes total per day. TT has been associated with gross motor movement and development and is a component of the World Health Organization’s and several other national movement guidelines. Data shows that only 30% of parents and 75% of child care professionals adhere to these guidelines though. A systemic review of TT and infant health found that TT is associated with “gross motor and total development, a reduction in [obesity], prevention of brachycephaly, and the ability to move while prone, supine, crawling and rolling.” Learning Point The American Academy of Pediatrics’ 2022 technical report on infant sleep states about TT: “Supervised, awake tummy time is recommended to facilitate infant development and to minimize development of positional plagiocephaly. Parents are encouraged to place the infant in tummy time while awake and supervised for short periods beginning soon after hospital discharge, increasing incrementally to at least 15 to 30 minutes total daily by 7 weeks of...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news