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Tummy time refers to the time when your baby spends on his or her tummy awake and playing. But why is it that important? It may be a straightforward activity but it enables your baby to become stronger. With each push-up, glance around, and reach for toys, they strengthen the muscles of their neck, back and arms. These muscles will ultimately assist them in learning to roll over, sit up, and crawl. Tummy time for infants also prevents their heads from developing flat spots.
What Is Tummy Time?
It's an easy but important part of your baby's daily routine. Putting your baby on his or her stomach while awake and while watched is referred to as tummy time. During tummy time, your baby strengthens the all-important muscles that he or she can use to roll, crawl, sit up, and walk.
Tummy time also allows babies to view the world from a new angle. You can perform it on a clean floor, a soft mat, or even on your chest – as long as your baby is safe and supervised at all times.
What Are The Benefits Of Tummy Time?
Tummy time might seem like a little and easy activity, but it does a lot for your baby's development. Even a small amount every day can lead to strong muscles, better movement abilities, and healthy development. While your baby is figuring out how to lift the head and explore the world from their belly, they are establishing the building blocks for significant physical milestones.
Here are some of the known benefits of tummy time:
- Improve muscle strength - helps develop neck, shoulder, arm, and core muscles to lift their head, roll over, crawl, and sit.
- Boost motor skills - helps with coordination and early movement. Infants who don't do tummy time achieve physical milestones earlier.
- Prevents flat head syndrome - reduces pressure on the rear of the head and avoids positional plagiocephaly.
- Encourage sensory and visual development - encourages the baby to roll their head and eyes, encouraging sensory and spatial awareness.
- Encouraged by the global health guidelines - The World Health Organization advises tummy time as a daily physical activity for infants below 1 year.
Tummy time is not just play - it's exercise for your baby to become strong, healthy, and achieve new physical milestones at an accelerated rate. Incorporating it into your baby's daily schedule can provide lasting positive effects on their body and mind.
How Long Is Tummy Time For Newborns And When Should It Start？
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests tummy time right after your baby comes home from the hospital. Early is best because this acclimates your baby to the feeling and builds strength in small steps.
For newborns, just 2 to 3 sessions a day for 1 to 2 minutes each is a good start. As your infant becomes stronger, you can increasingly add more minutes. Between 3 months, most infants can tolerate 15 to 30 minutes of tummy time per day, divided into several short sessions spread throughout the day.
It is a nice idea to always do tummy time when your baby is awake and supervised. You can place them on a soft playmat or blanket on the floor, or even you can go ahead and lie down and place them on your chest for an early snuggle option.
How To Do Tummy Time?
There are easy methods to incorporate tummy time into the daily routine of your baby without having to adhere to a specific regimen. You can start with your baby positioned belly-down on your chest, which is very comforting for babies. As your baby grows older, you can then move your child to the floor on a soft blanket or mat for brief periods of time.
Attempt to position your baby with some support. For instance, putting a rolled towel under their chest can lift them up a bit and facilitate looking around. Tummy time over your lap will also work if the floor seems too flat or strange.
The most important part is to watch your baby’s mood and cues – choose times when they’re alert, not too tired, and have a clean diaper. Consistency is more important than duration initially, and even for a few minutes at a time. Combine tummy time with interactive fun so that your baby will feel safe and secure.
For mothers juggling feeding and bonding time, having a hands-free routine can be easier to stay close and responsive. The Momcozy M9 Hands-Free Breast Pump allows you to pump easily while still interacting with your baby during floor time, making multitasking more natural and less stressful.
How To Make Tummy Time Interesting, Fun, And Safe?
Tummy time needs to be a bonding time, not a task. Make it fun and interactive and your baby will enjoy the time and spend more time on their tummy. Put appealing toys, mirrors, or soft books in their line of vision and at arm's length to encourage them to grab it. Infants enjoy gazing at faces, so turn to them and a singing tone or a chat assures them and entertains them.
As time passes, you can change things up and make it more exciting. Try different surfaces for different feels, move toys around to encourage your baby to turn their head or reach. You can even use a baby sound machine like the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine - App Remote Control that helps you control relaxing sounds remotely, helping create a cozy space where your baby feels safe to explore and engage.
Safety is always first. Never leave your baby unattended while giving them tummy time. Ensure the surface is firm and soft, clean and clear of choking objects. Tummy time should not be done immediately after feeding to avoid discomfort. If your baby begins to fuss or get tired, it's alright to stop and try again later.
Making tummy time enjoyable creates positive experiences. With the proper combination of comfort, interaction, and variety, your baby will be anticipating this portion of the day – and so will you.
FAQs About Tummy Time
How Can I Exercise My Baby During Tummy Time?
Tummy time in itself is an exercise! But you can include small movements to make it active and enjoyable. Try to play toys slightly out of reach to stimulate reaching and head turning. You can also be on the side of your baby and help their arms or legs push more easily. These small movements develop muscle strength and coordination.
What If My Baby Hates Tummy Time?
It's okay for some babies to protest at first. Begin with very brief sessions and gradually increase – begin with 1 minute at a time. Attempt to do tummy time on your chest so that the baby can see your face and feel close. Including music, soothing voices or an intelligent baby sound machine can also calm them. If your baby gets upset, stop and try again later. Being consistent assists them in adapting in the long run.
What Should Tummy Time Look Like At 2 Months Old?
At 2 months, your baby should start to lift their head briefly and turn it side to side. They might still need a short session – about 5-10 minutes total per day. You will notice too that your baby becomes stronger at raising up on his or her arms or tracking toys with his or her eyes. Every baby develops at his or her own pace, so the key is to do tummy time every day and be supportive.
Conclusion
Tummy time is easy but has a significant impact on making your baby strong, healthier, and more active each day. From building neck and shoulder strength to supporting early brain, vision, and motor skills development, a few minutes a day can go a long way. Early start, consistency, and enjoying tummy time can make your baby love tummy time and not hate it.
With assistance from little aids such as a soft play mat, a smart baby sound machine or even a wearable breast pump to allow your hands to be free, tummy time becomes simpler to incorporate into your daily schedule. Just always be present and in your senses while your baby has tummy time. All babies develop at their own rates, so keep it slow and take one tummy time at a time.
