Tummy Time
Tummy Time: Essential for Your Baby's Development
Tummy time is a simple yet crucial activity for your baby's development. It involves placing your baby on its tummy while awake and supervised. While it may seem like your baby is just lying there, tummy time offers a wealth of benefits for its physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth.
When to Start Tummy Time:
You can start tummy time when you bring your baby home from the hospital. Even short sessions of a few minutes a day can make a difference.
Why is Tummy Time Important?
Strengthens Neck and Back Muscles: Tummy time helps your baby build the strength to lift their head, push up on their arms, and eventually roll over, crawl, and sit up.
Develop Gross Motor Skills: It encourages the development of important motor skills like reaching, grasping, and coordinating movements.
Improves Vision: Looking around on their tummy helps your baby develop visual skills and track objects.
Reduces the Risk of Flat Head Syndrome: Spending time on their backs for sleeping is essential, but prolonged back sleeping can sometimes lead to flat spots on the back of the head. Tummy time helps to prevent this.
Promotes Cognitive Development: Exploring the world differently helps stimulate your baby's brain development.
Start Early: When you bring your baby home from the hospital, begin tummy time.
Short and Frequent:
Start with short sessions: Begin with 1-2 minutes at a time, a few times a day.
Gradually increase: Gradually increase the duration of each session as your baby gets stronger.
Aim for 15-30 minutes per day: By about 2 months of age, aim for 15-30 minutes of tummy time per day. This can be broken down into several shorter sessions.
Adjust as needed: Every baby is different. Adjust the duration and frequency of tummy time based on your baby's cues and comfort level.
Ways to Engage During Tummy Time Activities:
Tummy time should be interactive. It is a great time to interact with your baby to keep them engaged in the activity and build your bond.
Place toys within reach: Lay your baby on a playmat and place brightly colored toys or interesting objects just out of reach. This encourages them to reach, grasp, and roll towards the toys.
Talk and sing: Engage with your baby during tummy time by talking, singing, and making funny faces. This provides auditory stimulation and encourages social interaction.
Use a mirror: Place a mirror in front of your baby while they're on their tummy. They'll be fascinated by looking at themselves and may try to reach for their reflection.
Tummy time on your chest: Lie down on your back and place your baby on your chest. This provides warmth and comfort while still allowing for tummy time.
Here are some positions to work on tummy time with your baby:
Important Note: Always supervise your baby during tummy time and place them on their back for sleep.
Tummy Time Over a Towel Roll or Boppy Pillow: Place your baby with their chest over the rolled-up towel or Boppy, with arms either bent or straight. This provides a slight incline, making it easier for them to lift their head.
Laying Baby Across Your Lap: Lay your child across one or both of your legs with their arms hanging over your legs. This provides support and allows you to interact with them face-to-face.
Tummy-to-Tummy or Tummy-to-Chest: Lie down on the floor or a bed and place your baby on your chest or tummy so you and baby are face-to-face. This provides warmth and comfort while still allowing for tummy time.
Tummy-Down Carry or Football Hold: Position one hand under the tummy and between the legs and carry the baby's tummy down. Use the other hand to support their head and neck. 1 This position is good for carrying your baby while providing tummy time benefits.
5. Lap Soothe: Place baby face down across your lap. A hand on their bottom will help steady and calm them.
6. Exercise Ball: Place the baby's tummy on an exercise ball, holding its sides for support. Slowly move the ball back and forth, allowing the baby to lift and hold its head more easily.
Tummy time and Sleep
While tummy time doesn't directly cause better sleep, it can indirectly contribute to improved sleep quality in several ways:
Stronger Muscles: Tummy time helps babies build neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Stronger muscles translate to better head and neck control, which can make it easier for them to self-soothe and fall asleep.
Reduced Fussiness: When babies are physically active and develop strong muscles, they tend to be less fussy overall. A calmer baby is more likely to fall asleep easier and sleep more soundly.
Improved Physical Activity: Tummy time encourages physical activity, which can help tire babies out and make them more ready for sleep.
Tips for Successful Tummy Time:
Start with short sessions: Begin with just a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the duration as your baby gets stronger.
Make it fun: Enjoy tummy time by using toys, talking, and singing.
Be patient: Some babies may initially dislike tummy time. Don't worry, they'll eventually get used to it.
Always supervise: Never leave your baby unattended during tummy time.
Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. If you have concerns about your baby's development, consult your pediatrician. Incorporating regular tummy time into your baby's daily routine gives them a strong foundation for physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.
Important Note: While tummy time is crucial for development, it's crucial to emphasize that babies should always be placed on their backs for sleep. This significantly reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sources:
Night Helper
