4.13: Tummy Time
- Page ID
- 249439
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Tummy Time
Tummy time is placing a baby on their stomach to play. Practicing tummy time helps babies develop the muscles necessary to lift their heads and, eventually, to sit up, crawl and walk. Remember the adage: back to sleep, tummy to play. A baby should always be awake during tummy time be carefully watched.
Fig. 4.13. Tummy time method.
Image Source: Karleigh Page. My Baby Hates Tummy Time! Tips for Parents. NAPA (Neurological and Physical Abilitation) Centre .
Often families or caregivers are concerned about infants developing flat heads or bald spots when laying their baby's on their backs to sleep. Tummy time is not only an excellent way for young children to develop motor skills, but it also helps to prevent flat heads and bald spots.
Infants have a variety of reactions to being placed face-down on the floor. Until they develop the muscles necessary to lift their heads from an awkward face-plant position, many babies hate tummy time. Others seem to love the view. And still others are indifferent, making happy noises no matter which end is up. Whatever the baby's reaction, tummy time helps the baby develop motor skills that eventually lead to crawling.
Why is Tummy Time Important?
Spending awake time belly-down offers lots of benefits for the infant.
- allows baby to work different muscles than those they’d use on their back. By
- practicing push-ups will help baby develop the muscles in arms, shoulders, upper back and neck that will eventually enable them to lift head.
- sets the stage for motor skills like reaching, rolling over, sitting up and crawling
- prepares the baby for the exciting developmental stages to come.
- at 3 months, most babies can lift their heads 45 degrees (leaning on their forearms);
- at 4 months, most babies can lift their heads 90 degrees degrees (pushing up on their hands).
- at around 9 months, many babies begin crawling
- although some begin earlier and others never crawl at all — which is perfectly normal
Tip's to Encourage Tummy Time
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies begin tummy time the very day they come home from the hospital. Begin with 2-3 minutes at a time and eventually work up to a total of 15 minutes per day in two or 3 sessions of 3-5 minutes each. As the baby gets older, you can leave them on the belly for longer stretches, since older babies need more time on their tummies to build strength.
The ideal time to do tummy time is after the baby wakes up from a nap or following a diaper change.
- place baby on tummy on a play mat or clean towel on a clear space on the floor
- surround baby with a few favorite toys
- spread toys around the baby in a circle so they’ll be tempted to reach for them
- helps develop all the different muscles to eventually sit up, crawl and walk
- spread toys around the baby in a circle so they’ll be tempted to reach for them
- as baby begins enjoying tummy time, work up to longer and more frequent sessions throughout the day
- get down on the floor with baby, face-to-face or side-by-side
- talk to them and offer a special toy for entertainment.
- place an unbreakable mirror in front of baby so they can see their own face.
- vary the position, from in front of baby to either side
- prop baby up by placing a firm cushion under their chest and arms if they initially protest tummy time
- try to wean off using these props
- place baby on your own tummy while you lie on your back (watch out for drool!). Or
- raise them overhead as you lie down in a modified baby “bench press”
Source
- de Bellefonds, Colleen. Tummy Time for Babies. What to Expect. March 15, 2022.