Tummy time is often challenging when babies first get started. 

There are ways to make it easier. 

My name is Tanya and I'm a pediatric physiotherapist with Alberta Health Services. 

In this video, you'll learn about 5 different tummy time positions to try. 

You'll hold your baby in three of these positions. 

They are tummy to tummy, over your lap and, tummy down carry. 

The other two positions are on the floor and tummy time over your leg, on a wedge, or with a rolled-up towel or blanket for support. 

Let's look a little more closely at the tummy time positions with you holding your baby. 

First, try holding your baby tummy to tummy. 

This position allows you to be face to face with your baby. 

Your baby feels safe and supported, so it's a nice first position to try tummy time. 

Sit with your back supported on a couch or chair and hold your baby so that they can lift their head to look up at you. 

You can lean further back as they get stronger and are able to lift their head more easily. 

This is a great time to sing songs, talk to them, or make funny noises to get their attention. 

If you want to give your baby a little more challenge, try holding them on your lap, tummy down, while you're sitting. 

This works well if you have trouble getting up and down from the floor. 

You can keep a hand on their back or hips to help them feel safe and supported. 

This also works well if you're out of the house and don't want to put them down on the floor. 

Try bouncing your legs a little, sing a song as you move them, or place a book or a toy on the couch beside you for them to look at. 

Once they're 2 to 3 months of age or older, place them so that their arms are at the edge of your leg when you're sitting on the couch or floor. 

This way, they can hold their head up and reach their arms down to the couch or floor to practice holding themselves up with their arms. 

Some babies like to be held all the time, and they prefer it if you're not sitting still. 

If your baby likes to be on the move, you can try a tummy carry with your baby. 

When your baby is younger, help support their head on your forearm. 

As they get stronger, move your support to their body only so they work more on lifting their head. 

Walk around and show them different things in the house. 

Let them look at themselves in a wall mirror or look out the window. 

Put on some music and dance around with your baby. 

It's important to carry your baby over both the right and the left arm so that they can turn and look both ways. 

These are all great ways to include tummy time in your day. 

All this time on their tummy also helps your baby get used to this position and get stronger. 

Make sure your baby also does some tummy time on the floor every day. 

Traditional tummy time on the floor is the best position to build strength because your baby has the most freedom to move. 

Tummy time on the floor can start for short periods when your baby is very young. 

The last tummy time position makes floor time a little easier for your baby by adding support. 

Try adding a rolled-up blanket or towel under their chest. 

This lifts their head a little bit, teaches them to bring their arms forward to help support themselves, and shifts their weight back towards their hips. 

All of these things make it easier for your baby to do tummy time on the floor. 

As your baby gets stronger, you can make the rolled-up blanket smaller. 

You can also add some support by having your baby lay over your leg. 

This can help lift their head up higher and bring their arms forward. 

It can also help your baby work on getting up to straight arms. 

If your baby has reflux, this position may also be more comfortable for them. 

If your baby has reflux, try having them do tummy time on a wedge. 

This position may be more comfortable for your baby. 

Sometimes babies with reflux will arch strongly to lift their head and struggle with tummy time on the floor. 

The wedge helps to bring their head higher than their stomach while keeping their back in a more relaxed position. 

Stay within arms’ reach of your baby in this position so they don't roll off the wedge. 

You may need to help your baby by keeping a hand on their hips to keep their hips lower. 

Help them bring their arms in front and underneath them to help them prop themselves up as this baby is doing. 

Try a combination of these 5 different positions to increase your baby's tummy time. 

In the next video in this series, you'll learn more ways to make tummy time easier for you and your baby. 

Find information, support, and services for you and your child by clicking on the link in the description. ​