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Being a parent can be equal parts exciting and exhausting. Your little baby is fragile and needs your undivided attention, day and night. And as they grow, you have to see to their health and development as well. Your baby is just starting to learn the basics. How to hold their head, grab onto things, how to crawl and walk and what not to put in their mouth (most things). Although these things may seem obvious to you, they are a big deal for your baby. Even something as simple as rolling onto their stomach can be a huge deal to them since they are not used to it. Oddly enough, this small task that you wouldn’t pay any mind to is important for your baby. It’s popularly known as tummy time! And, this does not mean you spend time rubbing your baby’s tummy after a good feeding, No! If you’d like to know more about the benefits of tummy time and what it is, read on!
What Is Tummy Time?
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Some babies are not the biggest fans of tummy time, (so parents are not looking forward to it either) while others take to it very naturally. Whatever the case may be, the trick is to keep your baby engaged and interested in tummy time. There are safe and expert approved ways to do this. But first, let’s uncover what tummy time entails.
Babies have been rolling onto their stomachs for ages but the concept of tummy time first came about as a result of the American Academy of Pediatrics Back to Sleep campaign (1). The campaign stressed on the importance of putting your baby back to sleep on their backs in order to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome also known as SIDS (2). This method was a great success as it substantially reduced the risk of SIDS. However, there was one side effect that no one saw coming. All that time the babies spent on their backs caused them to develop flat spots on the back of their heads, also known as positional plagiocephaly (3). And there was only one solution for it, tummy time! Simply get your little one to roll onto their tummy for a while. They can practice crawling, they can lift themselves up with the help of their arms or just lie there. Whatever they feel like doing, as long as they maintain the position.
Why Is Tummy Time So Important?
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Although tummy time is great in order to prevent your baby from getting any flat spots, it has more benefits than just a round head. Tummy time is important as it helps your baby build the strength they need in order to sit up, crawl, walk or even just roll over. It makes a huge difference in development as it gives your baby a chance to exercise their upper body muscles and aids in motor development. How fast your baby picks up on skills like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, walking and wiggling are affected by how much tummy time they get. This doesn’t mean that you should overdo it or start tummy time when they are far too young.
What Is The Right Age To Start Tummy Time?
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Starting tummy time early is possible as long as you are careful. You can even start tummy time as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. In fact, it is advisable that you start as early as possible so that your baby gets used to it. But remember, your newborn is delicate, so let them lie on their stomach on top of you for a couple of moments or lie on their tummy in the crib for a couple of minutes per day. This will get them accustomed to tummy time slowly and safely. As your baby gets older and stronger, you can increase it to twice or three times a day. You can extend the time too. Soon your baby will be perfectly alright with spending a good half an hour on their stomach!
When Is The Best Time For Tummy Time?
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This is easy, the best window for some tummy time is after a nap or a diaper change. Pick a time when your baby does not feel hungry or fussy. A well rested and more alert and engaging baby is more likely to cooperate and enjoy the experience.
How Do You Make It Interesting?
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The only way to get your baby to extend their tummy time is to keep them engaged and interested. Tummy time should be associated with fun! Give them toys to play with or put them on a colorful play mat. If your baby is having trouble holding themselves up, place a rolled pillow or a small pillow underneath their forearms and armpits.
It’s okay if your baby doesn’t take to tummy time as fast as you thought they would. Give them time and be patient with yourself. You and your baby are doing your best. They will get the hang of it eventually. So, what’s your baby’s take on tummy time? Let us know in the comments section!
