As a new parent, you might have heard of the importance of tummy time for your baby’s development. But what exactly is tummy time and how do you go about incorporating it into your baby’s routine?
Tummy time is simply the time your baby spends on their stomach while they are awake and supervised. This simple activity can help strengthen your baby’s muscles and promote their motor development, while also enhancing their sensory skills.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the benefits of tummy time for infants and provide you with a range of tummy time activities to try out. Whether you’re looking for tummy time positions for newborns or alternative activities, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll also delve into when to start tummy time and how much tummy time is appropriate for your baby’s age. Plus, we’ll provide you with recommendations for the best toys and play mats to use during tummy time. So, let’s get started and help your baby reach their developmental milestones through tummy time!
Key Takeaways on Infant Tummy Time activities
- Tummy time has numerous benefits for infants, including strengthening muscles, promoting motor development, and enhancing sensory skills.
- There are various tummy time activities you can do with your baby, such as using toys, mirrors, and different tummy time positions.
- To ensure successful tummy time, start early, make it enjoyable, use a comfortable surface, and supervise baby at all times. With these tips and recommendations, you can help your baby reach their developmental milestones through tummy time.
Benefits of Tummy Time Activities
Tummy time is an essential activity for infants that involves placing them on their stomach while they are awake and supervised. Here are its benefits:
Strengthens neck, shoulder, and arm muscles
Tummy time strengthen the core muscles of the back, neck and shoulders. When your baby is placed on their stomach, they are forced to use these muscles to lift their head and upper body.
This activity helps develop the core strength muscles that are crucial for crawling, sitting, and walking. As your baby continues to do tummy time, they will gradually build their strength and be able to hold their head up for longer periods.
Promotes motor development
In addition to strengthening muscles, tummy time also promotes motor development in infants. By encouraging your baby to move and explore while on their stomach, you are helping them develop their coordination and balance.
As your baby reaches for toys or tries to push themselves up, they are developing their gross motor skills. Additionally, your baby can gain strength while on the floor during the activity.
Helps prevent flat head syndrome
Another benefit of tummy time is that it can help prevent flat spots on baby’s head. This condition occurs when infants spend too much time on their back and develop a flat spot on the back of their head.
Once your baby gains head control and starts to push up on hands with straight elbows, you can encouraging them to spend more time on their stomach and less time on their back. This helps distribute the pressure on their head and prevents the development of a flat spot.
Enhances sensory development
Finally, tummy time also enhances your baby’s sensory development. When your baby is on their stomach, they are exposed to different textures, sights, and sounds. This exposure helps stimulate their senses and promote their cognitive development.
Tummy time encourages your baby to look around and explore their environment, which helps develop their visual perception and spatial awareness.
Incorporating tummy time into your baby’s routine
Now that we’ve explored the benefits of tummy time, you may be wondering how to incorporate this activity into your baby’s routine. Here are some tips and guidelines to get started:
- It’s recommended to begin tummy time as early as possible, ideally from the first few weeks of life. For instance, you can do tummy time after each diaper change. This helps your baby get used to the activity and develop their muscles gradually.
- Tummy time should be a fun time for your baby. Try using toys, mirrors, and other interactive items while your baby is one the floor. This will encourage your baby to explore and engage with their surroundings.
- Choose a soft and safe surface, such as a play mat or a blanket, for your baby to do tummy time. Avoid hard or uneven surfaces that may be uncomfortable or unsafe for your baby.
- To aid in the development of a baby’s neck muscles, it can be beneficial to prop them up with a pillow or a rolled-up towel at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. This can help them practice lifting their head and participating in tummy time exercises.
- Always supervise your baby during this activity to ensure their safety and comfort. This also allows you to interact with your baby and make the activity more enjoyable.
When to Start Tummy Time: Guidelines and Recommendations
Shorten this section and link to blog when to start tummy time
Tummy time happens when your baby lies on their stomach or tummy. It is an essential activity for infants that can promote their motor and sensory development. However, many new parents may be unsure of when to start tummy time and how long to do it for.
Recommended Age for Tummy Time
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), many parents should start tummy time from the first week of life. This means that even newborns can benefit from tummy time, as long as they are awake and supervised.
Starting tummy time early helps your baby get used to the activity and develop their muscles gradually. It’s also important to note that tummy time can be done at any time of the day, and it doesn’t have to be done all at once. You can break up tummy time into shorter sessions throughout the day.
How Long to Do Tummy Time
The amount of time your baby spends on their stomach during tummy time will depend on their age and level of development. The AAP recommends starting with 3-5 minutes of tummy time per session, and gradually increasing the duration as your baby gets stronger.
By the time your baby is three months old, they should be doing tummy time for around 20-30 minutes a day, spread out in shorter sessions.
Gradually Increasing Tummy Time Duration
It’s essential to gradually increase the duration of tummy time to prevent your baby from getting too tired or frustrated. Here are some baby tummy time tips:
- Place your baby tummy down onto your chest then move them onto the a flat surface with soft blanket. Begin with just a few minutes of tummy time per session, and gradually increase the duration by a minute or two every few days.
- Build up to 20-30 minutes a day: By the time your baby is three months old, they should be doing tummy time for around 20-30 minutes a day, spread out in shorter sessions.
- Follow your baby’s cues: If your baby is fussy or resistant to tummy time, take a break and try again later. Don’t force your baby to do tummy time if they are not comfortable or happy.
- Incorporate tummy time into your daily routine: Try to make tummy time a regular part of your baby’s daily routine. This will help your baby get used to the activity and make it easier to gradually increase the duration.
Tummy Time Activities: From Basic Positions to Interactive Play
Tummy time is a crucial activity for infants that can help promote their motor and sensory development. While it may seem simple, there are various activities you can do with your baby to make it more engaging and enjoyable. Here are some ideas for tummy time:
Basic Tummy Time Positions
The basic tummy time positions involve placing your baby on their stomach and allowing them to explore their surroundings. Here are some of the basic tummy time positions you can try with your baby:
- Prone position: This is the most basic tummy time position, where you lay your baby on their stomach with their arms in front of them. Encourage your baby to lift their head and look around.
- Side-lying position: This position involves placing your baby on their side with their arm extended in front of them. This position can help your baby develop their neck and shoulder muscles.
- Tummy-to-tummy position: This position involves lying down with your baby on their stomach on your chest. This can help your baby feel more secure and comfortable during tummy time.
Tummy Time with Toys
Adding toys to tummy time can make it more engaging and stimulating for your baby. You can see them reaching and grabbing toys. Here are some toy ideas you can use during tummy time:
- Wrist rattles, wooden spoons, shakers and other noise makers that make sounds when shaken can provide great entertainment and help develop your baby’s hand-eye coordination and visual tracking. Put them in front of your baby.
- Soft blankets and books with bright colors and bold patterns can capture your baby’s attention and promote visual perception.
- Teething toys can provide relief for your baby’s teething discomfort while also encouraging them to reach and grasp.
- Place your babies on baby gyms that provide instant entertainment through a variety of toys.
- You can provide your baby with an entertaining activity by placing a shallow tray, such as an oven tray, filled with water in front of them. Add some rubber ducks and other bath toys to the water and your baby can enjoy splashing their hands and observing the ducks float.
- At an early age, a baby’s eyes are only able to detect differences between black and white and not colors. To provide visual stimulation and entertainment for your baby, you can place a black and white book or picture approximately 8-12 inches from their face.
- Regardless of what toys you choose, move them from side by side in front of your baby’s face.
Tummy Time with Mirrors
Tummy time with mirrors can be a fun way for your baby to explore their own reflection and develop their visual perception. Here are some tips for incorporating mirrors into tummy time:
- Make sure the mirror you use is child-safe and unbreakable.
- Place the mirror at eye level for your baby so they can see their reflection easily.
- Talk to your baby about their reflection and encourage them to reach and touch the mirror.
Tips for Successful Tummy Time: From Starting Slowly to Making It Enjoyable
Tummy time is an essential activity for infants that can help promote their motor and sensory development. However, it can be challenging for some babies to adjust to tummy time and stay engaged.
Start Slowly and Gradually Increase Time
Starting slowly and gradually increasing tummy time duration is crucial for your baby’s comfort and success during tummy time. Here are some tips for starting slowly and increasing tummy time duration:
- Start with just a few minutes per session and gradually increase the duration by a minute or two every few days.
- Be consistent. Incorporate tummy time into your baby’s routine and be consistent with the amount of time spent on tummy time each day.
- Keep eye contact at all times during the activity.
Make Tummy Time Enjoyable with Toys and Games
Having toys to explore during tummy time can help keep your baby engaged and stimulated. Here are some ideas for making tummy time enjoyable with toys and games:
- Engage in sensory play. Choose toys with bright colors and bold patterns that will capture your baby’s attention and stimulate their visual perception.
- Toys that make noise, such as rattles or shakers, can help your baby develop hand-eye coordination and auditory skills.
- Encourage your baby to reach for and grasp toys, pom poms or play peek-a-boo.
Use a Comfortable Surface
Using a comfortable surface is important for your baby’s safety and comfort. Here are some tips for choosing a comfortable surface:
- Place baby on a play mat or a blanket as a soft and safe surface.
- Avoid hard or uneven surfaces. Hard or uneven surfaces can be uncomfortable and unsafe for your baby. Always use a soft and safe surface.
- Consider using a mat designed specifically for tummy time and can provide extra comfort and support for your baby.
- Secure blankets so they don’t slide when your baby moves.
Supervise Your Baby During Tummy Time
It’s important to supervise your baby during tummy time to ensure their safety and comfort. Here are some tips for supervising your baby during tummy time:
- Stay close to your baby and keep an eye on them at all times.
- Use your hands to support your baby’s chest and help them lift their head and upper body.
- If your baby becomes fussy or uncomfortable, tell them you head them and gently roll them from tummy to back.
FAQs About Tummy Time Ideas
My baby hates tummy time, what should I do?
Try to make tummy time as comfortable as possible if your baby hates tummy time. Experiment with different kinds of mats and find the one that babies love. You can also make tummy time fun using tummy time toys. Another idea is trying tummy time alternatives to help your baby adjust to this position.
