Did you know that Tummy Time is a crucial activity for the healthy development of your baby?
In this article, discover the benefits of Tummy Time, how to effectively and safely perform it, and some alternatives to promote the healthy development of your baby.
What is Tummy Time and what does it involve?
Tummy Time is an activity where the baby is placed on their stomach on a flat and firm surface, such as a blanket or play mat.
This position allows the baby to exercise the muscles in their neck, shoulders, back, and arms, which is essential for their motor and cognitive development.
During Tummy Time, the baby lifts their head, supports their arms, and begins to explore their surroundings, which also promotes the development of language and cognitive skills.
It is important to make Tummy Time an enjoyable activity for the baby by using toys, songs, and other stimuli to keep their attention and stimulate their development.
At what age can it be performed?
It is recommended that babies start practicing Tummy Time from birth, as long as it is done under supervision and for short periods of time.
Here is a monthly guide on how you can adjust Tummy Time for your baby’s development:
0-1 months: Start Tummy Time gently and for short periods (30 seconds to 1 minute). Place the baby on the parents’ or caregivers’ chest to make them feel secure and protected.
2-3 months: During this period, the baby will start lifting their head and neck during Tummy Time. It is important to place the baby on a flat and firm surface so they can support themselves with their arms and strengthen their muscles. You can also place toys or other stimuli in front of the baby to encourage interaction and exploration.
4-5 months: As the baby grows, you can gradually increase the duration of Tummy Time to about 15 minutes per day. During this period, the baby will start reaching for and grasping objects in front of them, which is a sign of developing fine motor skills. It is important to continue providing stimuli and toys to maintain their interest.
6-7 months: During this period, the baby may start crawling and moving on the floor. You can make Tummy Time a fun and creative activity by placing interesting objects at different distances for the baby to move and explore.
8-9 months: During this period, the baby may start sitting up on their own and exploring their environment from a different position. You can make Tummy Time a fun and creative activity by using different objects and textures to stimulate the baby.
Ways to do it
On the chest: Placing the baby on the parents’ or caregivers’ chest while they are sitting or reclining can be a safe and comfortable way to do Tummy Time during the first few days of the baby’s life.
On a flat and firm surface: As the baby grows and gets stronger, they can be placed on a flat and firm surface, such as a blanket or play mat, to support themselves with their arms and strengthen the muscles in their neck, shoulders, and back.
Tummy Time with toys and stimuli: Providing toys and stimuli during Tummy Time can keep the baby engaged and promote cognitive and motor development. Brightly colored toys, sounds, mirrors, picture books, and other stimuli can be used to keep the baby interested.
Tummy Time with other children: If there are other children in the house, Tummy Time can be done as a group activity to encourage social interaction and joint learning. This can be especially beneficial for the baby’s emotional and cognitive development.
Benefits
Tummy Time offers many benefits for the healthy development of the baby. Here are some of the key benefits:
Muscle Strengthening: Tummy Time allows the baby to exercise the muscles in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms, which is essential for the development of gross and fine motor skills.
Cognitive and Linguistic Development: During Tummy Time, the baby lifts their head, supports their arms, and begins to explore their environment, which helps them develop visual, auditory, and attention skills. Additionally, Tummy Time also promotes linguistic development as the baby can listen to and respond to sounds and voices in their environment.
Prevention of Flat Head Syndrome: Tummy Time can prevent flat head syndrome, which is a condition where the baby’s head becomes flattened due to constant pressure in the same position. By placing the baby on their tummy during Tummy Time, pressure is distributed to different areas of the head, preventing this condition.
Bonding between Parents and Child: Tummy Time is an activity where parents can interact with the baby and foster emotional bonding between them.
Preparation for Crawling and Motor Development: Tummy Time is an important activity to prepare the baby for crawling and motor development. By strengthening the muscles in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms, the baby is ready to reach and explore their environment independently.
Alternatives to Tummy Time
If the baby is not comfortable with Tummy Time or if, for some reason, it cannot be performed, there are several alternatives that can be implemented to promote the healthy development of the baby.
Some of these alternatives include:
Placing the baby in different positions: The baby can be placed in different positions to encourage muscle and motor development, such as supported sitting, propped sitting, supported standing, or tummy crawling position.
Using a baby carrier: Using a baby carrier, such as a wrap or an ergonomic backpack, can be an alternative to Tummy Time to promote the baby’s motor and cognitive development. The movement and close contact with the parents can be highly beneficial for the baby.
Implementing stimulating games and activities: Games and activities that promote cognitive and motor development can be implemented, such as playing with interactive toys, singing songs, reading picture books, or using different textures and colors to stimulate the baby’s senses.
Performing gentle massages and stretches: Gentle massages and stretches can help relax the baby’s muscles and promote motor development. They can be performed on different parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, neck, and back.
In summary, Tummy Time is a highly beneficial activity for the healthy development of the baby as it allows them to exercise their muscles and promote cognitive and linguistic development.
It is important to start Tummy Time from an early age and make it an enjoyable and fun activity for the baby.
