The History of Tummy Time

The concept of “tummy time” became a key area of focus for pediatric research in the 1990s, largely as a result of the “Back to Sleep” campaign (now called the “Safe to Sleep” campaign). This campaign, initiated in 1994 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), aimed to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by encouraging parents to place infants on their backs to sleep. While this campaign was highly successful in reducing SIDS rates, pediatricians and researchers began noticing that infants spending too much time on their backs were developing positional plagiocephaly (flat spots on the back of the head) and experiencing delays in motor development, particularly in the development of upper body strength.

As a response, researchers and pediatricians began advocating for supervised “tummy time” to ensure that babies could develop the necessary muscles for gross motor skills like rolling, sitting, crawling, and lifting their heads. Tummy time was found to be crucial for strengthening the muscles of the neck, shoulders, arms, and back, all of which are important for future motor development.

Key Discoveries from Tummy Time Research:

1. Motor Skill Development: Studies showed that babies who spend time on their stomachs develop head and neck control more quickly. Tummy time strengthens muscles used for rolling, crawling, and eventually sitting up and walking.
2. Preventing Positional Plagiocephaly: Tummy time helps prevent flattening of the skull that can occur when babies spend extended periods lying on their backs.
3. Sensory and Cognitive Development: By placing infants in different positions (like on their tummy), they experience varied visual and sensory input, which is thought to promote cognitive and sensory-motor development.
4. Social Engagement: Tummy time often encourages face-to-face interaction with caregivers, which is important for bonding and social development.

Although the idea of tummy time existed before, it became a widely promoted practice for infant development after the SIDS prevention guidelines highlighted the importance of balancing time spent on the back with opportunities for tummy-down play.

There isn’t one specific researcher universally recognized as the leading authority on tummy time, but there are several well-known organizations, pediatricians, and physical therapists who actively promote tummy time and its importance in infant development.

Key Promoters and Experts:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The AAP is one of the most prominent organizations that emphasizes the importance of tummy time for healthy motor development in infants. They provide guidelines on how and when to introduce tummy time, and their work has been foundational in promoting the practice after the success of the “Back to Sleep” campaign.
2. Heather M. Feldner, PhD, PT, PCS: A well-known pediatric physical therapist and researcher, Dr. Feldner has worked on the importance of early intervention in motor development and often advocates for tummy time in her research on infant physical therapy.
3. Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson (Seattle Mama Doc): Dr. Swanson is a well-known pediatrician and a public advocate for healthy childhood practices, including tummy time. Through her blog and public appearances, she educates parents about its importance.
4. Pathways.org: This nonprofit organization is one of the leading promoters of tummy time and healthy infant development. They provide research-based resources for parents and health professionals on the benefits of tummy time.

While individual researchers contribute to the evidence supporting tummy time, it’s the collaboration of pediatricians, physical therapists, and developmental experts that drives public awareness. No single individual is universally recognized as “the” authority, but these organizations and professionals collectively shape the guidance parents receive today.