Can a three-month-old baby practice lying on their stomach?
Generally, babies can start practicing lying on their stomach at three months old, but prolonged periods in this position should be avoided. Detailed analysis is as follows:
When babies reach three months of age, their neck muscle strength usually improves significantly, enabling better head support. If a baby demonstrates strong neck control in daily life, such as maintaining head elevation when held in a sitting position, it is appropriate to begin practicing tummy time. This practice helps promote gross motor development and strengthens the upper limbs and trunk. Additionally, tummy time enhances a baby's ability to lift the head and engage in limb movements, thereby stimulating the development of skills such as head lifting and rolling over.
During tummy time practice, each session should not be too long. Start with short durations and gradually increase the time to prevent fatigue in the neck muscles. Parents should also closely supervise their baby to ensure safety and prevent risks such as suffocation.
During a baby's developmental stage, parents should also ensure proper dietary management, providing adequate nutrition to support healthy physical development.