What is the big Deal about “Tummy Time”?!

Many doctors and healthcare professionals say “you have to give your baby tummy time” , “tummy time, tummy time, tummy time!!!”.  It is emphasised so often by so many people…but WHY?  What is the big deal about Tummy Time?!

Well, I hate to follow the masses, but YES… tummy time is essential to a baby’s development.

….but WHY?

When you put your babies on their tummy it naturally encourages them to lift their heads, move their heads about, and explore their environment from a new perspective.  It encourages them to develop neck strength; thus, developing neck and head stability when held in an upright position.  So why is this important?  Neck and head stability develops head balance which is the precursor of trunk stability, to sitting balance,  and finally standing balance.  If you can’t balance your head you can’t balance the rest of your body.

As babies head lifting ability begins to improve they naturally begin to push up on their hands.  This develops arm and shoulder girdle strength and starts to develop upper trunk strength.  Why is this important?  These are the building blocks to develop their ability to push themselves to a sitting position, sit with arm support before sitting independently, and the first building blocks for crawling as they learns to support part of their weight on their arms. 

When can I start tummy time?

As early as 6-8 weeks when you start seeing your babies lift their heads when you are holding them at your shoulder.  They will begin by just turning their heads side to side while on their tummies.  Then they will slowly begin lifting their heads slightly off the ground.  Your babies will eventually lift their heads up fully and begin to push on their arms toward 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 months.  They may begin to roll from their backs to their tummies between 3-4 months and start moving their arms and legs to move and reach for toys.  

Do I have to do tummy time just on the flat floor?

You can get creative.  Here are a couple of suggestions if the floor seems to be too difficult at the early stages.  You can place a “boppy”  under their chest with the arms forward.  You can place them on a higher surface such as a couch and place a rolled towel under the arm pits.  When they have good head control you can put them on your chest and push against their hands to encourage them to push on their arms and shoulders.

Always make tummy time fun!  In the first stages have toys on either side of their heads for them to focus on as they turn their heads side to side.  As they begin lifting their heads more and more have toys at their eye level.  Move toys side to side for them to follow and visually track and attempt to reach and bat at.

Any questions…feel free to e-mail me at judy@spotlight-baby.com

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