Tummy Time Starts on Day One.

At my two-week postpartum appointment with my first child, my pediatrician casually asked how tummy time was going. I said, what?

I come from a family of medical professionals and other mothers. People who should have known to tell me or advice me. Nobody did. Because everyone assumed someone else already had or I’ll learn eventually…

That's the gap this page exists to fill.

Chest-to-chest counts from day one. You don't need a floor mat. You don't need a special pillow. Laying your newborn on your chest, belly down, is tummy time. Start there.

The actual how:

• Start with 1-2 minutes, a few times a day (guides are available of the time goals by age)

• Build gradually as they get stronger

• Fussing is okay, distress is not (get to their level)

• Always supervised, never during sleep

• A rolled towel under the chest helps if they resist

The extra stuff they should tell you:

• Work on equal head turns to both sides to avoid a preference developing

• Try tummy time naked occasionally to let the skin air out, just put an absorbent pad underneath first

Your pediatrician assumed someone told you. Nobody did. Now you know.