Tummy time, a trivial but fundamental activity for an infant’s health and development, is rarely taken into consideration by the new parents, although it is responsible for a large part of the changes in the baby. Giving your tiny one a lot of tummy play in the early stage of development can, if you are a responsible parent, put the basis for the motor skills, strength, and coordination. Are you of the idea that giving tummy time to your child will be more fun for your little one? Then you have certainly reached the right place. In this blog post, we will be explaining the importance of the activity and offering some good advice on the activities that will surely be fun for your kid.
Why Tummy Time Is Important For Your Baby’s Development
During tummy time, you put your baby on his/her stomach while s/he is awake and you are around. It is an essential weekly exercise that can help your baby pick up vital motor skills. Below you can find some reasons why tummy time is definitely on the list:
- Strengthening Muscles: Playing on the stomach helps the little one strengthen their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles that will be essential in sitting, crawling, and walking. The muscles that are strong and developed in the early stages will later on be the ones that support mobility in the future.
- Head Control Promotion: Tummy time is the most effective way to train your baby to develop head control. A baby is born with weak neck muscles but with practice that involves consistent tummy time, the muscles gradually become stronger eventually to support neck, thus, the baby can lift their head and be able to turn it anytime.
- Flat Head Syndrome Prevention: Babies who sleep and lie in the same position on their back for an extended period are likely to develop a condition called positional plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome. Tummy time is useful for keeping this situation at bay as it gives the baby the chance to change from one position to another.
- Boosting Sensory Development: Tummy time additionally is good for your baby’s sensory skills such as touch and vision. The multiple textures on the ground that they feel help to realize of the senses, but only the visual attention needed is to enhance the eye movement.
- Improving Motor Skills: Tummy time building process motor skills which involve reaching, grabbing, and pushing up, that are essential for activities such as crawling, walking, and even feeding.
When to Start Tummy Time
You are entitled to engage in the tummy time routine as early as the third day of the child’s life. Use short periods of approximately 2-3 minutes initially and slowly increase the duration as the baby grows. The objective is to achieve approximately 20-30 minutes of tummy play by the time the baby is three months old. These sessions should be staggered during the day.
Tips to Make Tummy Time Fun for Your Baby
Despite tummy time being an important activity, some babies may feel resistance in the beginning. The most important thing is that tummy time becomes an enjoyable experience. Here are some workable suggestions to make the activity of tummy time a loveable and entertaining one for your little one:
1. Start with Baby’s Favorite Toys
Get your baby to do tummy time by introducing their favorite toys. Whether it’s a rattle, a soft plush toy, or an interactive play mat, a familiar toy can be a great focal point for tummy time. Put the toys out of the babies’ reach so that they can stretch and move toward them, which in turn will help them with their motor skills development
2. Use a Play Mat or Tummy Time Pillow
A play mat with colorful designs or a tummy time pillow will make tummy time a more comfortable and stimulating experience for your baby. The play mat, with its bright colors, can provide visual stimulation, while the pillow can offer extra comfort and support to help the baby lift their head and become more engaged with their surroundings.
3. Get Down on Their Level
After the talk of interaction, the way to make tummy time cool for your child is to do it with them on the floor. Greet talk or sing to get their attention or imitation with the faces. A baby is more likely during the tummy time if they feel connected and you have engaged their attention.
4. Use Mirrors and High-Contrast Objects
Small children are usually captivated by the contrast between the colors of the objects and the reflection of the items. It is a good idea to place a baby-safe mirror in front of the infant during a tummy time. Their own face or your or a beloved person’s reflection can work as entertainers and motivators.
5. Turn Tummy Time Into a Game
You will be able to transform the tummy time of your baby into an interesting one by the use of the simplest games. That is to say, if you rol(l) together the softest ball or play “boo” with the baby softly. As the child does the good the activities of lifting the head and pushing up, it will be easy for her determination.
6. Create a Tummy Time Routine
The act of engaging with the tummy was very beneficial, and the regularity of the engagement was the key. Here you could decide on having a daily program as one of the solutions to the problem of tummy time sessions at a particular time of day, e.g., after a diaper change or before nap time.
7. Be Patient and Gradual
It is necessary to keep in mind that the baby develops the skill of tummy time with the passage of time. If the baby starts by crying or showing reprehensible behavior, it is suggested to stubbornly continue by repeating the same manner of the activity and to increase the time each session takes. Do not fail to remember that while one is doing this exercise, it is very important to always be there to make sure if anything unusual happens.
Troubleshooting Common Tummy Time Challenges
Though tummy time is important, most parents encounter their babies do not have fun at the first go of it. Some of the frequently met difficulties are as follows, and the tips to solve them are below:
- Crying or Fussiness: During the initial phase of tummy time, it is quite okay for babies to cry. The problem appears if your little one gets impatient. Then it is advisable to take breaks of a shorter length or to give them some comfort by picking them up for a few seconds and then restarting tummy time.
- Struggling with Head Lifting: The baby’s inability to lift its head can be improved by placing a rolled-up towel or blanket gently under the baby’s chest. In this way, you give them a small boost and thus reduce the force needed to raise their head.
- Flat Spots on the Head: In case you are worried about the baby having drastic flat spots on their head, see to it that tummy time is performed at least a few times a day. To add, opt for different positions for the baby to be while he/she is awake, like holding the baby in different positions or using a baby carrier.
It is a known fact that early stage tummy time is vital for the little one’s growth. Yet, its importance extends into later stages since it has a positive effect on the children. Therefore, if you make sure the baby gets enough of this kind of time, you would ease the path for the development of physical strength, coordination, and further milestones like crawling and walking. Although the child may find it difficult to tummy time, the results will certainly be rewarding. Therefore, you should make tummy time more enjoyable and incorporate it into your daily routine to witness your child becoming stronger and more confident!
