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Tummy time is recommended by doctors to help babies strengthen their muscles and exercise motor skills. However, the “Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play” campaign has led to more cases of positional plagiocephaly. It is recommended to start tummy time from when the baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off and gradually increase the time spent on it. Toys and interaction with parents are also important during tummy time.
Tummy time is part of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play campaign, launched in 1992 in an effort to minimize Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). By some estimates, putting babies to sleep on their backs dropped the SIDS rate by nearly 70 percent. An unfortunate side effect of the campaign is that more children are developing positional plagiocephaly, or flattened head syndrome. This is when a child’s head flattens to one side of the head, potentially resulting in a malformed skull.
One study reported that the average baby spends nearly 60 waking hours confined to a crib, playpen, swing, car seat, or stroller. This “containerization” of children has a detrimental effect on their muscular and motor development. Tummy time provides babies with much-needed physical activity, which helps them strengthen their muscles and exercise motor skills. Spending time on your tummy sets the stage for head and neck control, crawling, pushing up, sitting up, and rolling over.
Most doctors recommend about two to three tummy time sessions a day, for about ten minutes at a time. If your kid absolutely hates it, any amount of time is better than none. From the moment your baby’s umbilical cord stump falls off, make tummy time a part of your daily routine. If your baby has an adverse reaction to tummy time, gradually increase the time he spends there until he reaches a good amount.
Choosing the right time of day for tummy time is key. After a meal or before a nap may not be the best time. Usually, after a nap or a diaper change is best. Most babies don’t have good head control until around four months, so you may need to support her with a rolled-up towel or special pillow under her chest. This raises the upper body and head so your baby can look around better.
Toys are a big part of tummy time. This is the time for your baby to explore the world around him, so make sure you put interesting toys within his reach. Vary where you put the toys so your baby has to “work” to see them.
Gradually, you can move the toys further and further away so that he has to get closer to them. Musical toys, light up toys, books and mirrors are all the entertainment your baby will need. There are even special mats designed for tummy time.
The most important part of tummy time, other than physical and mental activity, is the opportunity for your baby to interact and bond. Your encouragement and stimulation give your baby the confidence he needs to learn and develop.
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