Tummy time is crucial for strengthening your baby’s neck, shoulders, and back muscles. Find out more about the importance of tummy time for babies.
Tummy time involves placing your baby on their stomach when they are awake.
You can start tummy time from birth. Early and regular tummy time will help your baby like the position and manage it for a longer time. You can start with short periods of 1-2 minutes and increase the time as your baby grows stronger. Your baby may find tummy time difficult and may need more time to improve on it. It helps to strengthen your baby’s neck, shoulder, and back muscles. This leads to the ability to sit up, crawl, and walk.
Best positions for tummy time.
0-3 months
You can start on tummy time by placing your baby’s chest to chest while sitting or across your lap for 1-2 minutes. While laying on their stomach your baby will try lifting their head. This will strengthen their neck and head muscles. You can also put a blanket on the floor and place your baby on his stomach. Use props such as a nursing pillow or rolled-up blanket against his chest so that he can put his hands forward. Tummy time also helps to create a bond with your baby. Place colorful toys or play in front of your baby as entertainment.
4-6 months
As your baby grows, he or she will develop improved head control, able to keep their head up for longer periods. You can put a playing mat or a blanket on the floor and place your baby on his stomach for 3-5 minutes. Keep the first session short and increase the time as your baby gets used to tummy time. Keep the session interesting, place toys where your baby can reach, sing, or read a book to them.
Tummy time after 6 months
At this point, your baby will have the strength and might start rolling from stomach to back. He/she will start to get the ability to push up with their arms and become more independent. They may also try to push up their head, neck, and chest with the support of the arms and eventually crawl.
Importance of tummy time
- Help your baby in motor skill development.
When your baby spends time on his belly, he’s using and building the muscles needed to lift his head, roll over, and eventually crawl. Regular tummy time helps develop core muscle strength in the neck, back, and arms. This may lead to early achievement of milestones like crawling and rolling.
- You get an opportunity to bond with your baby.
When you place your baby on your chest and speak to him, he will try to lift his head to follow your voice. Not only does this strengthen your baby’s neck and back muscles, but it also helps foster a strong attachment and bond between you and your baby. Tummy time is an early chance to play and interact with your baby which is a crucial bonding activity.
- Reduces the chances of skull deformity.
Your baby’s skull is soft and moldable until about 4 months of age. Placing your baby in the same position for a long time may lead to flat head syndrome. Frequent and consistent repositioning of your baby will reduce or prevent flat spots. Tummy time is one of the repositioning techniques. Besides, you should never place your baby on his belly while asleep. To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, babies should sleep on their backs.
Tummy time is a physical activity and can be exhausting especially for newborns. Observe any sign of discomfort and change the position to one that is more comfortable. You can put them on your lap or your chest skin-to-skin. Your baby may not like tummy time and can cry or become fussy during the exercise. Make sure that the floor is comfortable. Make the exercise interesting and fun. Get down with your baby, talk to him, play with toys, or sing to him.