When your baby is awake, you can put him on his stomach for tummy time. This is critical for strengthening your baby's muscles and protecting his head shape. Because baby heads are heavy and tummy time is difficult for newborns, it is common for them to feel uncomfortable on their stomachs. Even though babies can appear to be uncomfortable at first, it is important to persevere to reap the benefits of tummy time.
What is tummy time?
Tummy time consists of placing your baby on his stomach for short periods of time while keeping an eye on him. This activity is beneficial to your baby's growth because it strengthens neck and shoulder muscles while also improving motor abilities. Just keep in mind that your baby should always be supervised while doing tummy time!
Are pacifiers good for a baby?
When to start tummy time?
Tummy time sessions can begin while you and your newborn are still in the hospital or as soon as your newborn is discharged. It's a good idea to get your baby familiarized with the activity as soon as possible.
You don't have to be concerned about the umbilical cord stump during tummy time because the stump has no nerve endings. As long as you follow your midwife or doctor's recommendations on how to properly care for your baby's umbilical stump you don’t have to fear for your little one.
What are the benefits of tummy time?
Here are the benefits of tummy time:
Promotes physical development
Provides a new perspective
Helps with torticollis and to avoid flat head syndrome
Introduces new textures
1. Promotes physical development
Tummy time helps your baby build flexibility and muscle control while strengthening their neck, arms, back, and legs. The motor skills and the core strength they develop will be needed for rolling over and sitting, and then crawling and walking. Consider it their first physical exercise.
2. Provides a new perspective
It allows your baby to examine and explore his surroundings in a different way than when he is lying on his back. Babies have to lift their head to look around while lying on their stomach. This not only strengthens their back and neck muscles but also offers them a fresh outlook on life.
3. Helps with torticollis and to avoid flat head syndrome
Tummy time can help babies with torticollis, a condition characterized by tight neck muscles. Tummy time, combined with exercises advised by a healthcare expert, can aid in the relaxation of a baby's tense neck muscles. Spending time on their tummy while awake will also help your baby prevent flat areas on the back of their head, which is known as flat head syndrome.
4. Introduces new textures
As the skin on various regions of their body comes into contact with the surface they are on, it exposes babies to a variety of different textures. Soft, harsh, cold, warm, are all notions that will gradually take shape in their mind.
How to do tummy time
Tummy time for newborns
Follow these suggestions for conducting tummy time for newborns from 0 to 3 months old, as they are only beginning to gain head and neck control:
While he is awake, place your newborn belly down on your chest or on your lap.
Interact with your baby by staring into his eyes, giving him a bright grin, and speaking to him in a pleasant sing-song voice to make him feel more at ease.
At this point, tummy time should be limited to three to five minutes at a time. As you see your baby enjoying the activity, gradually extend the length. Allow your child to have tummy time two to three times each day. It might be a good idea to do it after a diaper change or nap time.
Although your baby's head control and neck muscles may have improved by the end of the first month, you should continue to support his head when holding him. He won't be able to hold his head up until he is around four months old.
Tummy time for older babies
When your older baby is around 4 to 7 months old, here's how to practice tummy time:
Place your baby belly-down on a blanket, towel, or playmat that has been covered with a blanket or towel your baby loves.
Get down on the floor and play with him by dangling a toy in front of him, or making funny noises.
Allow three to five minutes of tummy time at a time, gradually increasing the duration as you see him enjoy the activity. Tummy time should be done two or three times each day.
Your baby will most likely be able to fully lift his head while lying on his stomach at this point, and he may also begin to push up on his arms, arch his back, and lift his chest. He will be able to sit up with the help of his newly acquired upper body strength. When your baby is on his stomach, you might observe swaying, kicking, etc. This usually happens around 5 months, and it means he’s gaining the strength and skills needed to turn over and possibly crawl.
How to encourage your baby to move during tummy time?
Your baby will be unable to move much at first but you can encourage your baby to move his arms and legs, as well as his head. Get down to your baby's level when he’s lying on his stomach to let him know you're close. While he’s lying on his stomach, keep talking, making amusing noises, or singing to him.
This will urge him to try to move his head in your direction. He may even attempt to move his limbs and legs in delight of the amusing sounds! Around the age of three months, your baby may begin to try to push up on his arms. Waving a favorite toy just over him will encourage him. He can glance up and raise himself towards the toy with his arms.
Your baby's arms, shoulders, and back will be significantly stronger as he approaches six months. You can then begin holding an object at eye level but a short distance away from him. This will urge your child to extend his arms fully straight and reach for the object. Be careful not to hold the item too far away!
How much time on their tummy?
Encourage your baby to spend around 15 minutes a day on his belly (or two to three periods of three to five minutes each) under your supervision. Because older babies require more time on their tummies to build strength, you can leave your baby on his tummy for extended periods of time as he grows older.
How often should you do tummy time?
Tummy time should be done two to three times daily. As your infant becomes more accustomed to this practice, you can repeat it more regularly or for longer periods of time.
Where is the best place to do tummy time?
You can begin tummy time with your baby on your belly or on your lap from 0 to 3 months. Tummy time should be done on a low, safe surface later on, such as a clean floor or a floor spread with a play mat or a blanket.
Tummy time should not be done on a sofa, bed, or any other high places with a soft surface. These places put your infant at risk of suffocating or sliding off and falling. Avoid tummy time on cushions and other soft surfaces.
What if your baby hates tummy time?
Your baby might not appreciate being on his tummy at first—after all, it's a new position for him and he probably feels like a turtle on its back. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Keep a bright toy within reach to keep his mind occupied.
Get down on the floor in front of him and amuse him with a toy or by singing.
If he still doesn't seem to be having a good time, have someone else try to entertain him.
You can place your baby on his side during this type of tummy time. Roll up a towel to support his back if necessary, and fold a clean washcloth to place under his head. Your baby's arms should be in front of him, his legs should be front to his hips, and his knees should be bent. With this approach, your baby may enjoy tummy time.
Your baby will eventually get the hang of this new activity and find it pleasant. If you're worried that your baby isn't enjoying tummy time, get assistance from your baby's healthcare professional. Tummy time is a great way to bond with your baby. It's also an opportunity for your child to gain muscle control, which will be necessary for future development such as sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. Tummy time will reap several benefits for your baby's growth if you do it every day!
What if they have reflux?
Tummy time can and should be continued if your infant has reflux. Try putting your baby on your chest, or over your legs. To avoid vomiting and discomfort, wait for 20 to 30 minutes after a feed before placing your baby on his stomach.
Everything you need for your baby
Tummy time prepares your baby for the next exciting developmental stages to come. Introducing tummy time into your little one’s routine will occupy him and it may become one of the highlights of his day.