Tummy Time means allowing for your baby to be on his or her stomach while the baby is awake and someone is watching.

Healthy babies should be placed on their backs to sleep for naps and at night to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). But babies who are always on their backs can sometimes get flat spots on their heads.  Providing Tummy Time when your baby is awake and someone is watching can help prevent these flat spots.

• Changing the direction that your baby lies in the crib from one week to the next. For example, have the baby’s feet point toward one end of the crib for a few days, and then change the position so his or her feet point toward the other end of the crib.  This change will help make sure the baby is not resting on the same part of his or her head all the time. 
• Avoiding too much time in car seats, carriers, and bouncers while awake.  Also, get “cuddle time” with the baby by holding him or her upright over one shoulder often during the day.
  
  

• Back to Sleep campaign publications and materials