Tummy Time
We have generated our Tummy Time Benefits for Babies, including tips and toy recommendations. When your child is on their stomach for 3 to 5 minutes for 2-3 times a day^, they are participating in Tummy Time.
We will discuss the three major benefits to your child's participation in Tummy Time.
From there, we will discuss the tips for you and your baby to enjoy this time together.
There are additional things to discuss related to this such as the age to start and stop, toys that are good to use and appropriate times for Tummy Time.
Let’s start with the benefits.
Tummy Time, Discussion of Benefits
There are three major benefits from your child participating in Tummy Time.
Don’t take the opportunity for granted, your child needs this valuable time to learn these great skills and move onto the important things, making messes!!
The Benefits:*
1. Your baby develops motor memory skills to help them move better.
2. Tummy Time reduces the potential for flat spots on your child's head.
3. The muscles in the neck and shoulder are strengthened and promote use as they learn to roll, scoot, sit up, crawl and walk.
Pro Tip: Tummy time should never be done on an elevated surface. Only do this on the floor!! (I learned the hard way that the bed on a box spring is too elevated.)
Is Your Baby Not Enjoying Tummy Time?
To make this time more enjoyable, we have come up with some great tips to make this as comfortable as possible for your child.
Pro Tip: Never leave your child alone for Tummy Time.
What Age To Start Tummy Time
Tummy time should be started between month three and four.* By age six and seven, they will most likely be rolling.
The older your child gets, the longer they will be okay to spend on their stomachs.
Tummy Time For Babies Who Hate It
You may be thinking that you are torturing your child by making them be on their stomach.
At first, you might be. This is a needful torture.
As your child is on their stomach, they are learning a lot of things. Note the benefits above.
If your child cannot stand being in that position, keep the max to 3 minutes. As they get older, they will get more comfortable with the position and how to get out of it.
In other words, they will learn how to get comfortable or stop the discomfort.
Pro Tip: When they start to roll, congratulate them and roll them back to their stomachs. Once they have one side figured out, try to get them to roll the other direction.
When To Stop Tummy Time
Tummy Time doesn’t really stop, a child just starts doing other things. The first thing they will do as a sign that they are moving on to the next stage of growth and proper muscle development is the roll.
From there, they will start to sit up and to scoot either forward or backward. This is all normal.
Around month seven they will just start crawling. Don’t get discouraged if your child stays crawling for many months. Babies usually don’t start walking until they are at least 12 months old.
Some stay crawling until they are 14 -16 months.
Tummy Time Toys
Some great suggestions for Tummy Time toys are:
- Toys that rattle
- Toys that are soft.
- Toys that are okay for a baby to chew on. They will end up in their mouth.
Pro Tip: Avoid toys that have strings that can wrap around your baby.
Tummy Time After Feeding
Tummy time directly after a stomach full of fresh milk will most likely result in a good amount of spit up.
The best time for tummy time is after a diaper change, before a meal or just after waking up.*
What Counts As Tummy Time
Just remember, keep it in small doses at first. Be encouraging and celebrate the small successes.
Be with them and make the space comfortable. As your baby grows, they will develop the skills they need to move to the next thing naturally.
Be cautious not to do too much for them, they need the muscles for proper growth.
Final Thoughts
Tummy Time doesn't last long. Soon enough your baby is going to start doing other things. As sad as this is, they grow fast. Encourage them and keep up with them. As they start to move and do other things, learn how to play and interact with them on their level.
References:
*US Department of Health and Human Services. Babies Need Tummy Time. Retrieved January 13, 2021, from https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/safesleepbasics/tummytime
^American Academy of Pediatrics. Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play. (January, 2017). Retrieved August 28, 2018, from http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Back-to-Sleep-Tummy-to-Play.aspx