Back to sleep. Tummy to play. While it’s safe and recommended to lay babies on their backs to sleep, it’s important to spend some time with your baby on their tummy for play and development.
Tummy time is good exercise for babies. It promotes movements that support healthy body and brain development including muscle and bone strength, vision, hearing, touch, digestion and the ability to progress from lying, to sitting, to crawling, and then walking.
Ideally, tummy time should start as soon as possible after birth. If the umbilical cord stump is longer, then it’s fine to wait until the umbilical cord falls off.
Lay baby on a blanket or play mat on the floor. It should be a flat surface which is soft but firm. Stay with your baby and be within close reach. If you choose a higher surface, it’s especially important to be close, making sure they don’t roll off or fall. Keep pets away from the area.
Tummy time should be done for as long as babies can tolerate it and repeated during each wake cycle. A few minutes, several times a day is a good start. Don’t be afraid to do tummy time after a feed as this position actually reduces the risk of spitting up.
Here are some ways to keep them interested and happy during tummy time:
- Pair tummy time with a gentle massage of the back.
- Get face to face with your baby. Babies really enjoy looking at faces. Get down next to or in front of baby to encourage head lifting so they can view your face. This is a good role for an older sibling if they are able, careful and gentle with baby. Supervise the activity.
- Play with toys. Use toys such as rattles, colorful floor mats, musical toys or an unbreakable mirror so they can look at themselves during tummy time.
Tummy time is a workout for your baby. Tummy time is not as effective on the chest of a parent; this is snuggling not exercise. It’s comparable to an adult going to the gym versus lying on the couch.
Babies who spend too much time on their backs can develop a flat head. In addition, some babies will have a preference to turn their head in only one direction, which is caused by muscle tightness or weakened arm and neck muscles. Tummy time can help develop muscles and reduce tightness.
If you have any concerns about your baby and tummy time, talk with your healthcare provider. Pediatric physical therapists can help babies play on their tummies to develop and thrive. Mankato Clinic Pediatric Therapy Services offers treatment plans to help babies get their tummy time on.
Enjoy play time and tummy time with your baby!
