Pediatricians advise that even five minutes of tummy time a day have a positive effect on head shape. When you place your baby facedown, curiosity induces her to attempt lifting her head and pushing up on her arms, strengthening the upper torso. (When she's on her back, she has no compelling reason to make the effort!) And crawling is a cross-lateral experience (the left arm and right leg move simultaneously and vice versa), so children who spend time practicing this motor skill generally have no problem crossing the body's midline. Also, babies who spend time facedown tend to reach their motor milestones earlier than babies who don't.

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