Importance of tummy time in babies

Tummy time is the one of the best exercise that your baby can learn since they are a new born.

Babies love sleeping on their backs and spend most of their time looking at the ceiling. Due to this they don’t have much chance to use other parts of their body. 

This is why tummy time is so important. It helps your baby develop a strong neck, leg muscles, arm and core. 

They learn to practice to reach up or pivot which helps them to learn how to crawl. They get to learn how to lift their head up, roll around, sit up and crawl around.

If your baby keeps laying down on their back the whole day then they might develop a flat spot on the back of their head and cause facial distortions.

When should they start tummy time?

Your baby should learn to start tummy time as soon as they are born. They can start at two weeks with a session of 30 seconds to a minute. You can continue doing this everyday so they start getting comfortable with tummy time slowly.

As your baby learns tummy time to be part of their routine, ensure that you don’t do it right after feeding them as it might cause them to spit up. 

They might not enjoy their tummy time at first but they will slowly get comfortable as the days pass. You can tuck up a pillow or a blanket under them to make them feel more comfortable on their tummy. 

As they practice their tummy time, when they reach 2 months, you can start making them practice their tummy time 3 times a day and as they gradually get used to it by 4 months, your baby will be able to lift their head on their own, kick their feet or arch their back.

When your baby grows up, you can make them practise their daily tummy time for 30 minutes per day while distracting him with toys or books to catch his attention.

Remember when your baby is on their tummy you should not leave them alone and be around them so that they don’t hurt themselves. 

If your baby falls asleep while on their tummy then place them on their back so they can comfortably continue sleeping.

When your baby learns to crawl slowly, they are slowly getting the developmental benefits of them practising tummy time. They don’t have to continue doing tummy time any longer and only when it’s absolutely necessary.

Tummy time can be fun

When your baby is having tummy time you can keep them entertained by showing them a picture book that will fascinate them or read out loud a children’s book.

You can use a rattle or a toy to encourage them to play while they are on their tummy. 

Ways to do tummy time with your baby

1- You can place your baby across your lap and put a steady hand on their bottom. This will help you to soothe your baby and even burp them.

2- You can lie down next to them on your tummy and place your baby on their tummy as well so you both can face each other. 

3- You can hold one hand under their tummy and between the legs and the other hand placed firmly to support their neck so that they feel comfortable to sleep on their tummy. 

How tummy time helps your baby

1- Tummy time helps your baby to build a foundation for them to learn to crawl, sit or roll around.

2- When your baby is on their tummy they can feel the blanket underneath them or the bed sheet which helps them develop their sense of touch. 

3- They slowly learn to balance themselves and move around.

4- Tummy time helps developing their hand eye coordination. 

Conclusion 

Tummy time is an important exercise to teach your baby so that they get to reap the benefits of it from the day they are born. 

We hope this article has convinced you the importance of tummy time in babies.

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