A smaller character uses a larger character's belly as a place to sit or lie down on. At some times when a group are sleeping together there is one large character who sleeps while other smaller characters sleep on their bellies. Sometimes it annoys the large character; sometimes they don't mind at all. An especially easygoing large character will sometimes even invite smaller ones to sit on them.
Often used to emphasize the larger character's nurturing or cuddly aspects, as well as the smaller character's vulnerability and need for protection. Also a common way for the two characters to bond, as the smaller one can easily hear the larger one's heartbeat this way. And sometimes, the larger one's belly just happens to be the comfiest place around to sit.
Compare to Lap Pillow and Trampoline Tummy. If the tummy jiggles, then it's related to Wacky Waterbed. Related to Sleep Cute.
Examples:
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Advertising
- In a Cheerios commercial we see a young boy lying on his father's stomach listening to his heart: "thump thump." Dad keeps his heart healthy by eating Cheerios of course.
Anime and Manga
- Moomin (1990): After Moomin kicks some of Little My's siblings out of his bed, Little My crawls on his tummy. After telling him that she too wants some peace and quiet from her rambunctious siblings, they both fall asleep.
- Natsume's Book of Friends: In "Five-Day Mark", Natsume sleeps on Nyanko's oversized self on the second night.
Asian Animation
- In Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Joys of Seasons episode 46, Wolffy and Wolnie go to hibernate and sleep on the tummy of a big bear. Wolnie bites the bear in her sleep, waking him up and causing him to force the wolves out of the cave.
Fan Works
- In A Dragon Warrior's Human
, Y/N tends to do this to Po, usually when they're sleeping.
- In FREAKIN GENSOKYO, Ha-chan (a fairy) frequently lies on Brad's stomach.
- In Street Savoire-Faire, Donnie notes that Raph is fond of Mikey's pet cat (despite his claims otherwise), and has caught him sleeping on the couch with the kitten napping on him.
Film — Animated
- The Jungle Book (1967): Mowgli lies on Baloo the bear's stomach as they're floating in the river.
- The Lion King 1 ½. Timon is sleeping on Pumbaa's stomach, then Simba joins Timon after having a bad dream. Later, after Simba grows up, Timon and Pumbaa are seen sleeping◊ on his belly.
- The Princess and the Frog: Tiana and Naveen get a ride on Louis' belly during "When We're Human".
- My Neighbor Totoro: Mei climbs up on top of Totoro when she finds him, settling on his belly. She briefly wakes him in the process, but the two of them eventually fall asleep together.
Film — Live-Action
- Okja: Mija and the titular Okja, a giant genetically altered pig, rest this way by a river in the opening scenes.
Literature
- In The One and Only Ivan, Bob, formerly a stray dog, sleeps on the vast belly of Ivan, the zoo's silverback gorilla.
Live-Action TV
- Doctor Who: In "Closing Time" temporary companion Craig Owens falls asleep with his infant son Alfie on his belly. It's as adorable as it sounds.
Video Games
- Pokémon: Certain Pokedex entries for Snorlax say that if you were to climb on its belly while it sleeps and fall asleep there, it won't mind, as long as you don't wake it up.
- Pokémon Sleep can sometimes have a a Pokemon be found sleeping on Snorlax's belly.
Western Animation
- Animaniacs:
- In "Drive Insane," Wakko and Dot lay on Frau Hassenfeffer; Dot even tells her she's comfy.
- In "Hollywoodchuck," Charlton Woodchuck reads a book while lying on a grizzly bear's stomach while shooting a movie.
- My Friend Rabbit: In the episode "Strange Bee-havior", Rabbit and Mouse sit on Thunder and Edweena's tummies as they figure out a problem.
- Rocko's Modern Life: In "Bedfellows" Rocko's dog Spunky sleeps on Heffer's stomach while he's sleeping on Rocko's bed.
- The Powerpuff Girls: All three girls, though most commonly Bubbles have done this to Professor.
- The Simpsons:
- In "Worst Episode Ever," Agnes Skinner rests on Comic Book Guy's belly while they watch the sunset at the end of their date. Later, she lies down on his belly as they make out in a hotel room.
- In the episode "Bart vs. Lisa vs. The Third Grade," Homer gets a satellite dish and he and Bart spend all day and night watching TV. At one point we see Homer passed out on the couch with Bart lying on top of him. Bart gets up and we discover that he has left an ass groove in Homer's belly.
- We Baby Bears: In the episode "Ice Bear's Pet" Ice Bear saves a giant owl from a trap who then befriends the young bear and lets him sleep on her big belly as seen here.
Real Life
- A newborn baby is recommended to be rested on the mother's belly after its birth. This is to make the baby relax, since it is hearing the mother's heartbeat.
- Pets will sometimes get comfortable on their human's belly (or lap, or shoulders, or head...). This is something that every cat owner knows.
