One of the important aspects of early development in babies is the process of tummy time, which entails placing the baby on their tummy while they are awake. This general exercise serves to improve muscles needed in different gross motor development aspects, that are, rolling over, sitting up, and crawling.
It also aids in avoiding illnesses like positional plagiocephaly, which is a flat head syndrome, and positional torticollis, where the neck muscles are tight and the head is tilted to one side by assisting the baby in lifting their head as well as turning from side to side.
Tummy time can be initiated as soon as the delivery of the baby, as advised by paediatricians, neonatal nurses, and child development specialists. First, it can take only one to two minutes, and then they should both increase until the child becomes familiar with the position. As for the development of motor skills, parents should strive at getting the baby to spend about an hour of his or her day on the tummy before three months of age, in a series of shorter bursts.
Benefits of Tummy Time
Tummy time offers numerous developmental benefits, including:
- Muscle Development :- As mentioned before, it builds strong muscles in the abdomen, neck, and shoulders that are useful with future motor skills such as rolling, sitting, and crawling.
- Prevention of Flat Spots:- Staying too long on their backs results in the development of flat spots on the back of the head.
- Sensory Development:- Floor play gives the child a chance to work with various surfaces and work with different positions, which are important in the development of the body.
- Visual Tracking:- When babies are placed on their tummies, they are supposed to lift their heads and look at objects, which are beneficial in the development of their vision and eye-hand coordination skills.
How to Implement Tummy Time
Currently, the tummy time practice has many different implementations or suggestions on how to do it. Here are a number of ways of how to implement tummy time:
- Start Small :- Start with a very small amount of time, say five minutes; two to three times a day is enough. The time for each position should be gradually increased as the baby becomes used to the position being held.
- Use Different Surfaces :- Spend some time interacting and comforting the baby while holding it on its stomach on a soft surface such as a blanket, on your chest, or across your lap. This variety can make the experience less boring for the baby, hence helping him or her to have fun.
- Engage with Toys :- Make the toys bright in colour or put a mirror in front of the baby so that in your effort to grab the toys, the baby can lift her head up. This engagement can make tummy time more fun, especially for the babies.
- Timing is Key :- Pick any time when the baby is awake, responding, and in a positive mood. Do not put your baby on the tummy right after feeding, as it may cause the baby to be uncomfortable.
Tips for Successful Tummy Time
To ensure that tummy time is a positive experience for both the baby and the parents, consider the following tips:
- Be Present :- Babies should at all times be watched closely during tummy time to check on their welfare, or rather state.
- Make it Fun :- To entertain the babies, one can sing for them, chat with the baby, or use toys to keep them occupied. It is also important for an adult to bend down to the children’s level so that they also feel safe with him or her.
- Be Patient :- some form of resistance some babies may exhibit at the early stage of having tummy time. If the baby gets anxious or begins to cry, it is recommended that one uses a shorter time, and as the baby gets used to the position, the time can gradually be increased.
- Incorporate it into Daily Routine :- It can be easier to incorporate tummy time immediately after diaper changes or after a baby’s bath so that it turns into a routine.
Conclusion
Tummy time is crucial exercise, especially for newborn babies, because it helps them in their body development and reduces the effects of staying on the back for long. With the knowledge of what tummy time is all about and how it can be done properly, let me help parents help their baby’s develop properly.
FAQs
Can a newborn do tummy time after feeding?
One is usually encouraged to wait for approximately 30 minutes after they have fed the baby to end up putting him/her on his/her back. This precaution makes it possible to avoid having your baby feel uncomfortable and also ensures he or she does not spit up when placing him or her on the tummy.
What happens if a newborn doesn’t do tummy time?
In case a newborn does not spend their time lying on their tummy, he or she will be deprived of the development of somatosensory muscles and coordination abilities. This lack of activity might also result in a child taking their time to meet certain developmental milestones, for instance, rolling over or sitting up.
Does tummy time help with gas?
It is a fact that tummy time can be used to help ease gas in newborns. Flat position may also refer to force on the abdomen that can help in passing through gases in the digestive system, making it possible to eliminate pain. However, one should not limit the use of tummy time to helping pass the gas; there are other ways in which the same can be achieved, for instance through the use of gentle bicycle leg movements or tummy massages.