The Importance of “Tummy Time” and the Transition to Feeding

Caroline Weeks, PA-C, MPAS, RDN

This blog was written in paid partnership with Dr. Brown’s

The time when baby is ready to start solids is an incredibly exciting milestone for parents and is one many parents look forward to. But did you know as you prepare, there are things you can do to prime them for eating food before they even start?

Focus on Sitting

Babies are generally able to sit unassisted by around 6 months of age, and this is a prerequisite to start solid foods safely. This skill, like all physical activities, takes time and practice, so start early by placing your baby down on a plush carpet or other soft surface to allow them to explore what it feels like to try to sit alone. Be ready with steady hands as it is normal for a younger baby to topple over!

The Functional Role of a Teether

Tongue lateralization is the ability to move the tongue back and forth between midline with the goal of pushing food from the front of the mouth backward into the digestive tract. This takes immense coordination and is one of the first parts of the physiological swallowing process. One way to allow baby to work on developing their tongue strength and movement is by offering them long, stick-shaped teether toys like this one for example. Place the teether toward the back of baby’s mouth directly over where future molars will emerge. Before 6 months of age, it’s normal for a slight gag reflex to be present, so if this happens, try not to react too negatively as this is a normal sign of development. Practice this several times per week if not daily. 

Model Good Behavior

Parents often underestimate the power of miming when it comes to child development. But be wary! Your children are like little sponges and will soak up your own behaviors (both the good and the not-so-good). Use this to your advantage as you prepare baby for solid foods by allowing them to sit at the highchair to observe you eating. Exposing your baby to the sights and smells of your family’s mealtime will prime all five senses to the joy of eating. Make sure to exaggerate motions such as chewing and swallowing so your baby can pick up on these skills early.

The Power of Tummy Time

Though tummy time might appear unrelated to eating, the two skills are deeply interconnected as one supports the motor skills, oral strength, and sensory integration needed for your baby’s success with foods. Tummy time itself refers to the practice of placing a baby on the ventral or stomach side down on a soft, yet supportive surface while they are awake and supervised. This practice can begin as early as the day you bring baby home from the hospital and can be done as often as baby tolerates. It is also a key recommendation made by pediatricians to prevent irregular head shapes or plagiocephaly (flat spots) from forming.

During the act of tripoding on their stomach, babies are put in a position to strengthen almost every muscle of the body, primarily neck, back, shoulders, and arms. This eventually translates into the strength to feed oneself and engage in a safe and supported swallow.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting with short, frequent sessions up to 2-3 minutes a few times per day and gradually increasing as your baby builds confidence and gets stronger. Consistency is key to developing comfort with this, and it is always important to associate positive correlations with this by using a gentle, cooing voice, giving praise, and following with time to rest afterward.

While we determined tummy time strengthens larger muscle groups, it also primes the muscles for good oral motor development such as lifting the head, turning it from side to side, and eventually swallowing safely to prevent the risk of aspiration or choking.

The Role of Sensory Development 

We know as feeding specialists that feeding is more than just a motor function, but it is also a full body sensory experience. Focusing on skills that reinforce proprioception is key to developmental strides at the highchair. Proprioception is another name for the body’s sense of its own position and movement in space. Sometimes called the body’s “sixth sense,” it’s what allows you to move your finger to your nose while closing your eyes, or to dance fluidly to your favorite song on your playlist. Tummy time in many ways helps support this skill as baby can feel their bodyweight against the floor, see the world from new angles, and feel the different textures of carpet or grass between their fingertips. Exposing babies to a variety of sensations can translate into their willingness to pick up and try different foods that often come with different sensations too – think about the sliminess of a wet noodle, or the wetness of a juicy mango slice. Though more research is needed, sensory exposure has been linked to a reduction in picky eating later in life.

While tummy time and the transition to solid feeding may seem like totally separate tasks, they are fundamentally linked through the shared goal of supporting a baby’s healthy development. It’s important for caregivers to remember that each baby grows and develops at their own pace, but engaging in these tips before baby is even ready to start solids can help make the transition easier, stress-free, and fun.

About the Author

Caroline Weeks, PA-C, MPAS, RDN, is a dual board-certified physician assistant and pediatric registered dietitian with a passion for teaching parents how to feed their infants and children with confidence. She blends evidence-based science with a playful, practical approach to nutrition, making mealtimes less stressful and more joyful. In addition to her full-time work in medical nutrition and research, Caroline is an educational content creator, business owner and nutrition consultant, academic educator, and media contributor. You can find her expert tips and resources @theclinicdietitian on all major social platforms.