First, it's important to acclimate your infant to this position as early in life as possible. Right from the start, following a nap or diaper change, two to three times a day, you should place him on his tummy for a brief play period. You can gradually increase the length of these periods as your baby becomes used to them. Also, whenever possible, lie on your back and place your baby facedown on your chest. This not only helps him adapt to this position but will also give him a reason to lift his head – to look at you!

But even if you didn't begin tummy time the day you brought her home from the hospital, it's not too late to start! Following are some suggestions for making tummy time a fun time:

Get "down and dirty" with Baby. Lie side by side with your baby and have a "conversation"! Coo and sing and make funny sounds. There's no one else's voice he'd rather hear. When your baby is ready to start lifting his head, you also can lie head to head with him. He'll eventually lift his head and push up on his arms because he wants to look at you. You can make it worth his effort by making his favorite funny faces!

Tempt her with a toy. Place a favorite toy or stuffed animal just out of your baby's reach and encourage her to get it! Mirrors and rattles work well, too.

Circle the wagons. The AAP recommends placing toys in a circle around the baby. Reaching in different directions helps develop the muscles needed to roll over, scoot and crawl.

Give him a lift. If all else fails and your baby still fusses while facedown, place a pillow or a nursing support pillow under his chest, with his arms in front of him. Or lay him across your lap, raising one of your legs to create a slight incline. This will make it easier for him to see what's going on around him and should stop the fussing. Then, as he develops upper body strength, he'll no longer need the lift.

Remember, the policy is "Back to Sleep. Tummy to Play!"

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