Tips for Tummy Time

Tummy Time Tips from Magical Innovations by Vickie Dakin, PT

Why is Tummy Time Important? Tummy time builds your babies back and shoulder muscles. It teaches them how to shift their weight to get ready for crawling. It helps them to stretch out their low back so that they can sit up straight and tall. Tummy time is also where your baby learns to roll, belly crawl and get up on their hands and knees. It is so important, it is worth the extra effort it takes to get the baby used to it. Once the baby can see what they are able to do while on their tummy, they will like being on their tummy, so be patient and keep trying.

Now that parents are advised to have their babies sleep on their sides or backs due to the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), most babies are not getting enough tummy time. It is very natural for a baby to be on their tummy, while they are awake, and this one thing can significantly improve your babies development.

The following ideas may help you help your baby to spend more time on their tummies. Caution: Safety is the most important factor. If your baby is placed on a high surface DO NOT leave your baby unsupervised. If you have problems making these ideas work for you, consult your therapist.

1. Place the baby on their stomach, on a non-slippery blanket onto the dining room or kitchen table, while you sit in a chair right in front of the baby. Talk to your baby and encourage them to look at you. This can also be done on a sturdy coffee table where the baby can see around the room. Because a coffee table is much smaller, be especially careful that the baby does not fall.

2. Lay on your back propped up on pillows or in a reclining chair. Place the baby on their tummy on your chest, facing your face. Talk to your baby.

3. Use firm foam pillows or a wedge to position your baby with their head higher than their feet. This allows them to see more than they can from flat on the floor.

4. Put the baby on its tummy across your legs with a musical toy or other interesting toy in front of them. If you want you can put your hand on the babies back for support and bounce your legs for stimulation.

Plan of Action:

1. Start slow, just a few minutes at a time, several times a day (5-7) and work up to 15-20 minutes at a time.

2. If the baby starts to fuss, don’t panic, try to distract the baby with a new toy, song, funny noise, etc. If this works, keep the baby on their tummy a little longer. If it doesn’t work, roll them to their side or sit them up, rather than pick them up.

3. It the baby starts to cry, calm them BEFORE you pick them up or they may get the idea that crying is the way out of tummy time.

4. Remember, tummy time does not hurt your baby, in fact they need this activity for proper growth and development. Try not to feel sorry for your baby, they can usually sense what you are feeling.