Supporting Your Baby After the NICU: Tummy Time & Hands-to-Midline Play
Over the past several months, I’ve evaluated so many babies who were born at or before 24 weeks. These little fighters amaze me every day with their resilience and strength. At the same time, I see how overwhelming it can feel for parents when their NICU graduate comes home. You’ve just gone through months of round-the-clock monitoring, specialized care, and countless medical conversations. Now that your baby is finally home, you might be wondering: what now?
One of the simplest but most powerful ways you can support your baby’s development at home is through tummy time and hands-to-midline play. These activities set the stage for motor skills, coordination, sensory regulation, and play down the road.
Why Tummy Time Matters
Tummy time helps babies:
Build the strength they’ll need for rolling, crawling, and walking.
Stretch and strengthen the muscles in the back, shoulders, and arms.
Develop head control and prevent flat spots on the back of the head.
For NICU grads—especially those born very early—tummy time can feel extra challenging at first. These babies often spent weeks in the NICU with medical supports that limited their opportunities for movement. Starting slow and keeping it positive is the key.
Tips to try at home:
Begin with your baby lying tummy-down on your chest while you recline. This feels safe, comforting, and lets your baby hear your heartbeat. Tummy time inclined on a caregiver still counts!!
Use a rolled-up blanket or small wedge under their chest for extra support.
Keep sessions short—sometimes just 1–2 minutes at a time—and build from there.
Why Hands-to-Midline Play is Important
Bringing hands together at the middle of the body (“midline”) is a big deal for babies. It helps with:
Coordinating both sides of the body.
Self-soothing (think: bringing hands to mouth).
Preparing for reaching, grasping, and play skills.
Preemies often need extra encouragement here, since their early start can mean they miss some of the natural time in utero where babies practice this curled-up position.
Ways to encourage midline play:
Gently guide your baby’s hands together during play or diaper changes.
Offer lightweight toys (like a soft rattle) they can hold with both hands.
Position toys or your face close to center so your baby naturally brings their hands forward.
What I tell families in Early Intervention is this: you don’t need to carve out extra “therapy time.” Instead, weave these skills into your daily routines. Diapering, feeding, play, and cuddle time all provide opportunities to encourage tummy time and hands-to-midline without feeling like “one more thing” to add to your plate.
If your baby was born extremely early, you are not alone. I’ve met so many families walking this road, and I want you to know that every little bit of play, movement, and connection you give your baby makes a difference. Tummy time and hands-to-midline may look small, but they lay the foundation for the skills that come next.
Celebrate the small wins. A few seconds of tummy time, or your baby finding their hands, are huge milestones worth cheering for.
