tummy time

Babies need to spend time throughout the day in a variety of positions to help develop play, sensory and physical skills. "Tummy time" has received a lot of attention lately because of the recommendation to sleep babies on their backs to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. This means that many babies may not spend much time lying on their tummies. Lying on the tummy is helpful for the following reasons;

Babies lift their heads up against gravity and strengthen the muscles in the neck and back.
Babies learn to put weight through their shoulders, arms and hands. This strengthens these muscles in preparation for later skills such as crawling (not all babies crawl- this is not a milestone), using hands in play and self care (e.g.; drawing, cutting, threading beads, tying shoelaces) and tasks that require upper body strength (e.g. throwing balls, taking a jumper over head).
Babies see the world from a different viewpoint when on their tummies.
Babies get sensory feedback about where their bodies are in space.

How much tummy time is needed?

There is no magic formula to say how much time babies need to spend on their tummies each day. Every baby is different. Some babies love lying on their tummies and others dislike it. Some babies are naturally strong and others have less muscle strength. Try to give your baby at least some time each day in tummy time- even if it is for a minute or so. Work up to longer, more frequent times as your baby gets stronger. As soon as baby starts getting tired of tummy time- change position. Don't forget that other positions are important too!

Making Tummy Time Fun

Tummy time does not have to be a chore! It can be a natural part of daily play and life for you and your baby. You can ensure a few minutes a day of tummy time by including some of the following suggestions;

After a bath, lie baby on tummy for a massage.
Lie in front of baby and pull funny faces to grab her attention.
Lie baby in front of a play mirror so he can look at himself
Pop baby on a play mat or blanket with interesting "feely" textures and bright patterns to look at.
Put things in front of her to explore, touch and look at e.g.; books, rattles, coloured balls.
Very young babies can be carried while lying tummy-down over your fore-arm. With each leg and each arm either side of your forearm- this is the classic "colic carry" and is helpful for infants who might be experiencing tummy pains.

What if baby hates tummy time?

There are various reasons why tummy time can be unpopular. Children with low muscle strength and tone can find it too challenging, children with vision impairment do not find it rewarding and some children just show a strong dislike for it without any clear reason as to why. Here are some things to try when introducing tummy time in such cases.

Sit in a semi reclined position and have baby lie on your chest. Sing songs, talk, pull faces or rub her back to help her enjoy the experience.
Roll up a towel and place it under baby's chest and arms for extra support. Not suitable for newborn- wait until about 12 weeks of age for this one.
Lie baby (2 months and older) tummy down over a beach ball. Ensure her head is to one side. Hold baby securely at the thighs and gently rock baby to and fro.

NB: Always supervise tummy time. Do not force a very unwilling baby to do tummy time. Change positions as soon as baby shows signs of unhappiness in this position. Always put your baby to sleep on his or her back. Speak to your early childhood nurse, paediatrician, paediatric physiotherapist or occupational therapist if you are concerned about tummy time with your baby.