Recently, Nayul, a little girl, has been practicing something for about 3 minutes, a couple of times during the day: Tummy Time! It's a designated time when Nayul lies on her tummy. Experts say the earlier you start with tummy time, the better. Even though it seems challenging for her on the bare floor, we're gradually training her, either on an inclined cushion or slightly leaned back while baby-wearing during the early morning feeding. But why do we keep encouraging Nayul's tummy time, you ask? 😅 Let's take a brief look at the reasons for this today.
Tummy Time Defined
"Tummy Time" is a compound word combining 'tummy' and 'time,' referring to the duration an infant spends lying on their stomach. This activity strengthens the baby's neck and shoulder muscles, enhancing their motor skills. During tummy time, there's a possibility the baby might not be able to hold up their head, so it requires parental supervision. Depending on the method (lying on the belly), it also encourages parent-infant interaction and can support bonding.
When to Start Tummy Time
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting tummy time from the day the baby comes home from the hospital (meaning, the sooner, the better). For Nayul, we began after settling back home, considering our schedules at the hospital and postnatal care center. We needed time to adjust to our new caregiving roles. I recall starting tummy time for Nayul after about 20 days. Typically, each session lasts for at least a minute, done 2-3 times daily, with the primary goal to accumulate about an hour of tummy time daily by three months of age.
Benefits of Tummy Time
Why is tummy time so emphasized?
1. Physical Development: Lying on the stomach, the baby learns to lift her head, strengthening her neck. Later on, pushing up with her hands will develop arm and core muscles. As she adjusts, she might also start kicking, promoting leg and buttock muscle development.
2. Preventing Flat Head Syndrome: Continuous lying on a flat surface can cause a baby's head to flatten. Tummy time can help reduce this risk by lessening the time the back of the baby's head is pressed against a surface.
3. Sensory Development: The baby can feel different textures with her hands during tummy time, stimulating tactile development.
4. Visual Development: This position offers a new perspective. Placing toys or objects in front can also aid in visual development.
Precautions with Tummy Time
While tummy time has numerous benefits, it's not about how often but rather its quality. It's a demanding activity for a baby. Parents should initiate tummy time when the baby is in a good mood, such as after a bath or a nap. Moreover, it's advisable to wait until after the baby has digested her feed before laying her on her tummy. Always supervise tummy time, ensuring it's on a firm surface to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Progressive Stages of Tummy Time
- 2 weeks after birth: You can have the baby on their tummy either by placing them on your lap or lying them down on their belly. If the baby doesn't have enough neck strength, you can hold them in a prone position for tummy time.
- 1 month after birth: During tummy time, the baby can lift and (though for a very brief moment) turn their head. It's helpful to lower your face to the baby's eye level and talk to them so they can see and hear you.
- 2 months after birth: By this age, they can try tummy time for more than a minute. While previously you might have placed them on an incline or on their belly, from 2 months on, it's okay to have them on a flat surface. Also, observe if the baby consistently turns their head to one side or if it tilts to one side to check for any signs of issues.
- 3 months after birth: Babies start to bear weight on their arms using their elbows, and they can follow moving toys with their eyes. From this age, it's recommended to have about an hour of tummy time in total every day.
- 4 months after birth: The baby can lift their head up to 90 degrees and push up using their arms. Whereas before they were just watching toys, by 4 months they can also lift their head to check sounds and faces, moving their neck too.
- 5 months after birth: If toys are placed nearby, the baby will start reaching out with their hands to grab them. At this stage, gently lifting the baby's chest and belly while they grip and push up from the ground can be beneficial (similar to baby push-ups).
- 6 months after birth: Babies become familiar with reaching out for toys while lying down and will begin to have tummy time independently. They can start shifting their body's direction using their belly strength and even start to roll over around this age.
Recorded on May 14, 2023