Tummy Time

By: Dr. McCabe
While babies always need to lay on their back to go to sleep (to decrease the risk of SIDS), spending time on their stomach is also important. Tummy time, placing your baby on his stomach while awake and supervised, can help your baby develop strong head, neck, and shoulder muscles and can promote motor development. It also can prevent the back of your baby's head from becoming flat. Research suggests that babies who spend more time on their stomach will roll over and crawl earlier than other babies.
You can start doing tummy time immediately after birth. Start by laying your newborn across your lap for a few minutes. As your baby grows stronger, place her on a blanket on the floor. Gradually increase the length of time she spends on her tummy, and do this frequently throughout the day. Some research suggests aiming for a minimum of twenty minutes of tummy time per day.
If your baby does not seem to like tummy time, there are certain things you can do to help. First, make sure he is not hungry or tired during tummy time. Try laying down on the floor next to him. You can talk to him, sing to him, shake a rattle, or gently rub his back. Also try providing other forms of entertainment - prop a colorful book or mirror in front of him, or place a favorite toy within reach. Some babies enjoy laying on a colorful quilt, play mat, or gym designed specifically for tummy time. Others enjoy being propped up on a rolled up blanket or nursing pillow. When he starts to cry, try coaxing him into one more minute by talking to him or playing with him. When he has had enough, pick him up and try again later. His tolerance for tummy time will likely gradually increase with time and experience.
The earlier you begin tummy time, the less likely your baby will "dislike" it. In other words, if you don't start tummy time early enough, many babies will object to being in this "face down" position. Starting tummy time early will get your baby to learn to move his head side to side, protecting himself in case he does ever roll over onto his tummy in the middle of the night!
While babies always need to lay on their back to go to sleep (to decrease the risk of SIDS), spending time on their stomach is also important. Tummy time, placing your baby on his stomach while awake and supervised, can help your baby develop strong head, neck, and shoulder muscles and can promote motor development. It also can prevent the back of your baby's head from becoming flat. Research suggests that babies who spend more time on their stomach will roll over and crawl earlier than other babies.
You can start doing tummy time immediately after birth. Start by laying your newborn across your lap for a few minutes. As your baby grows stronger, place her on a blanket on the floor. Gradually increase the length of time she spends on her tummy, and do this frequently throughout the day. Some research suggests aiming for a minimum of twenty minutes of tummy time per day.
If your baby does not seem to like tummy time, there are certain things you can do to help. First, make sure he is not hungry or tired during tummy time. Try laying down on the floor next to him. You can talk to him, sing to him, shake a rattle, or gently rub his back. Also try providing other forms of entertainment - prop a colorful book or mirror in front of him, or place a favorite toy within reach. Some babies enjoy laying on a colorful quilt, play mat, or gym designed specifically for tummy time. Others enjoy being propped up on a rolled up blanket or nursing pillow. When he starts to cry, try coaxing him into one more minute by talking to him or playing with him. When he has had enough, pick him up and try again later. His tolerance for tummy time will likely gradually increase with time and experience.
The earlier you begin tummy time, the less likely your baby will "dislike" it. In other words, if you don't start tummy time early enough, many babies will object to being in this "face down" position. Starting tummy time early will get your baby to learn to move his head side to side, protecting himself in case he does ever roll over onto his tummy in the middle of the night!