Tummy time is baby’s first workout. Tummy time takes place when your child is awake; the baby lies on their stomach while a parent or caregiver supervises them. It is important for a child to have tummy time because it allows your baby to use their neck, and upper body muscles and stabilises their head when them sit upright.
Tummy time is necessary because a newborn needs time to counteract the long periods of lying on their back when sleeping.
When should you start with tummy time?
Parents should start tummy time as soon as baby is home from hospital. Tummy time is easy and a beneficial practice for your child. At first tummy time may be one or two minutes for a couple of times a day, moving up to 5 to 10 minutes. Some babies are happier being on their tummies than others. Keep tummy time simple.
Take this opportunity to interact with your newborn and encourage lots of eye contact. Talk in aminated tones and use exaggerated expressions to get them to look at you. It is a special time to bond.
How do I do Tummy Time?
Newborns
Start newborns on tummy time by placing them belly-down on your chest or across your lap for a few minutes at a time, two or three times a day. Tummy time for newborns to 3-month-old babies, assists in developing neck control. It further assists with developing the muscles which babies need to roll over, sit up, crawl and walk. As your baby gets use to it, you can go for longer periods.
Older babies 4 – 6 months old
Now tummy time gets fun. At this point your baby will have better core strength and they might start rolling over from stomach to back and from back to stomach. Babies can play more, they will start to get the ability to push up more with their arms and be a lot more independent. At this point you can start to introduce toys for them to grab and other interactive elements.
Place a blanket down in a clear area on the floor. Place your baby on his or her stomach on the blanket for 3-5 minutes to start, several times a day. Your baby may get fussy and frustrated in this position. Keep the first session of tummy time brief and gradually lengthen them. It is also a good idea to do tummy time when baby is fed, changed and happy. Make some noises or shake a rattle to get your child to look up and push up. Place a favourite toy in front of your baby to encourage reaching and forward movement.
During this period, tummy time helps babies practice lifting their heads and chest further by strengthening their arms, chest and back muscles.
Tummy time after 6 months
Work up to a full hour of tummy time each day until your baby starts crawling. Baby may even start to crawl during tummy time itself. As babies develop, tummy time slowly transitions into milestones like crawling, walking and playtime.
Benefits of tummy time
Babies spend a lot of time on their backs looking up at the ceiling – in their crib, car seat and in your arms. Flipping them over onto their stomachs not only gives them a different perspective but also plays an important role in their development.
- Promotes sensory development
Being on their bellies allows babies to experience different body positions and movements and they start learning how their arms and legs move. It also shows them a completely different view of the world.
- Helps motor skill development
Having baby on the floor helps develop muscle strength as well as their back, neck and arms. Baby learns how to support their heads by themselves.
- Reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and prevent flat head syndrome
Babies should sleep on their backs, which can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, but babies who spend too much time on their backs can develop flat head syndrome or positional plagiocephaly, which tummy time can prevent.
- Opportunity to bond
In the beginning there are not a lot of opportunities to have fun with your newborn and even tough tummy time is not initially all that interactive, your baby will become more engaged as skills develop.
It is important to always keep an eye on your baby whilst they are on their tummies, because if they slip, or their face is down they lack the ability to lift their head up and they may not be able to breathe.
What to do if baby hates tummy time?
If your newborn resists being on their belly, choose a time of day when you know they’re not fussy like after a diaper change or when they wake up from a nap. You will have to figure out your baby’s personality and when in their day they’re going to be most open to tummy time.
But sometimes babies can still not stand it, after all they are the tiniest of people with the biggest opinions. To some degree, you want your baby to tough it out and challenge them to push through because its going to help them learn skills earlier. But if your baby despises tummy time you do not want to torture them. Do what you can and cut yourself a parenting break if you’re not hitting tummy time guidelines. Every baby is different, yours will be fine regardless of whether they get exactly the recommended amount of tummy time.
Side lying with support
Side lying is a great alternative to tummy time if your baby does not tolerate being on their stomach. Place a blanket on their side, if needed, prop their back against a rolled-up towel for support. If their head needs support, place a small, folded washcloth under their heads. Both of baby’s arms should be in front of them, and you should bring legs forward at the hips and bend their knees to make them comfortable. Don’t forget to distract your baby with a fun toy or read them an entertaining book while they’re in this position. Be sure to have a plan in place and take care to vary your baby’s position every 10 to 15 minutes during playtime.
Ways to make tummy time fun
- Get on the floor with your baby, smile and make faces at baby, mimic baby’s expression
- Have your baby look up by talking to him/her. Tell baby about your day
- Put your baby near a mirror or something that plays music
- Place baby’s upper body and arms on top of a nursing pillow for elevation and a new view
- If baby gets fussy, distract him/her with noise or ways to make them smile or laugh
- Give incentives such as age-appropriate toys
- Read or sing to baby during tummy time or place a board book at eye level for baby to look at, this helps develop their eyesight too.
You can also introduce lap time, by positioning your baby down across your lap lengthwise while providing head support. For more stimulation, slowly raise and lower your legs at the same time, then move them slowly from side to side. This motion will likely calm your little one.
Each child has different preferences, so it is important to be patient with tummy time. Try to make it a fun part of baby’s daily routine. They younger baby is when you start tummy time the better. This lets them get use to it. Even in hospital you can place baby on their tummy on your chest, supporting their neck the whole time.
Tummy time supplies
The only essential supply for tummy time is a flat surface and blanket or mat to place your baby on. However, you can make tummy time a little more fun by introducing baby toys and when they get older non-breakable mirrors.
Here are a few ideas for things you can try:
· Tummy time activity mat or baby gym
· Baby blanket
· Inflatable tummy time water mat
· Light up toy
· Tummy time pillow
· Board or cloth book
· Baby mirror (for use after 3 months old)
Tummy time tips to keep in mind
Think about texture. Babies need to be exposed to a variety of textures throughout the day; and tummy time is the perfect opportunity to accomplish this. When your baby is on their tummy, the skin on their stomach, legs, arms and face touches the surface on which they are lying. The most natural place to play is on a clean carpet, a nap mat or blankets of different textures. As they move their body, arms and legs agaisnt the surface, the friction that is created lets them know where their body is located in space.
Dress down, your baby will gain strength and flexibility during tummy time. Dress your little one in a “onesie”, for tummy time, it allows them to feel the various textures on their arms and legs. Better yet, if baby’s room is warm enough, just dress baby in a diaper.
Safety
Make sure you watch your baby at ALL times. In this world of distractions. Your phone will ring, or you’ll get called to another room. Just remember to stay with baby to avoid suffocation.
Reposition baby if he/she starts to slip down from a pillow during tummy time. Avoid tummy time immediately after eating. Although tummy time is great for development and exploration, babies should always sleep on their backs. If babies fall asleep during tummy time, gently roll them onto their back and feel free to let them sleep right the on the floor, as long as you keep an eye on baby.
If you have any concerns about tummy time or that your baby isn’t meeting development milestones, talk with your paediatrician.
* This article must not be regarded as medical advice but is merely a view in tummy time. All medical concerns must be addressed with your paediatrician.