Have you been wondering about the different
ways that you can do tummy time with your baby, or how to make it a more enjoyable experience for a baby who doesn’t like to do it.Most kids do not like tummy time and in this blog we will see on ways on how we can make it enjoyable for our babies if so then this video is for you.
Importance Of Tummy Time
– First off, tummy time is very important for a baby’s development. It will help your baby gain strength in the muscles needed for mastering skills in the future, including rolling over, sitting, crawling, pulling up to stand and walking. Tummy time also gives your baby an opportunity to visually explore the environment in a new way. While laying on her back, she can only see the ceiling and whatever is directly around her. But when she’s on her tummy, she is able to see the world at eye level, giving her a different perspective.
– Babies need to experience a wide variety of textures throughout the day. As he moves his
body, arms and legs against different surfaces, the friction that is created lets him know where his body is located in space. Tummy time is the perfect opportunity to accomplish this.
Tummy Time Tips and Hacks
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents begin doing supervised tummy time with a full term baby within the first week of a baby’s life. Before the umbilical cord has fallen off, you can position your newborn on your chest or abdomen while both of you are awake and you are in a position of leaning back. During this time take advantage of the opportunity to encourage eye contact with your baby. Speak in animated tones and use exaggerated expressions to get her to look at you. It’s a time for the both of you to bond. Make sure you are doing this when she is comfortable, never hungry or irritable. And don’t do it directly after a feeding, as it can lead to a spit up.
Once the umbilical cord stump falls off the baby’s belly button, you can start doing tummy time on a firm flat surface while always being by your baby’s side. You can place her on a firm sofa, or put her on a play mat or blanket on the floor. Start with only 15 to 20 seconds in this position. He will alternate lifting his head and resting it back down. Gradually increase the length of each session as he gets stronger. If he seems to be getting tired or starts crying, it’s time for a break. Listen carefully to your baby’s protests
and watch her body language to have an understanding of when the time is right
to increase the length of her sessions. Your baby might initially grunt or make other funny noises because tummy time is hard work. Listen carefully to determine if she’s working to maintain the position or is actually uncomfortable.
Introducing tummy time gradually but consistently, allows your baby to learn to tolerate this position within a short period of time. For a young baby, it’s more important to provide frequent but brief tummy time sessions throughout the day rather than one or two long sessions. A good goal to work towards in the first month is 3 to 5 minutes of tummy time happening 2 to 3 times a day.
Work to the goal of doing tummy time for at
least 80 minutes per day by 4 months of age. It might seem like a lot of time, but this would
be done in several sessions throughout the day. It is best to set up a regular time such as after diaper changes or naps, and establish a routine of doing it to get your baby anticipating tummy time.
A newborn and 1 month old baby will typically prefer to have her head to one side while on her tummy, this resembles her position in the womb. If she is not lifting and turning her head on her own, after a few minutes assist her in turning her head to the other side. As your baby approaches two months of age, he will lift his head up and hold it at about a 45% angle. He will also have his chest lifted up from the surface while supporting his upper body on his arms. He will be able to turn his head from side to side while holding himself up for longer periods of time.
So what can you do if your baby becomes fussy shortly after being placed on his tummy or begins to cry when you attempt to do tummy time?
– Try having an object in front of your baby for
him to look at as a distraction. A great option is using his favorite toy or some cards with black and white images or high contrast color patterns, since at the younger age that is what they prefer to look at.
– Another great option is for you to
get down to your baby’s eye level and speak to her in a gentle and calming voice, or sing to her. If there is an older sibling in the home,
also have him involved in cheering her on.
– You can also lay your baby on a firm couch while you are in his field of vision. Talk or sing to him, or distract him by using your baby’s favorite toy or black and white image cards.
– If your baby absolutely is not tolerating being on his tummy, try doing a side lying position instead. Place him on a play mat or blanket that is on a firm surface. Prop his back against a rolled towel or small blanket for support. Both of your baby’s arms should be in front
of him. Have his legs forward and knees bent for comfort. Don’t forget to distract him with a fun toy or a black-and-white image. After several minutes make sure to roll him to the other side for the same length of time.
– Another variation of tummy time that you
can try is laying your baby across your lap, with his arms laying over the side of
your legs. Rub his back and talk to him. Use objects to keep him entertained.
Conclusion
The key to helping a baby who is resistant to tummy time is to start gradually, be consistent and distract distract distract. The position of laying on their tummies is challenging for babies, especially those who haven’t been exposed to consistently doing it from the first weeks of life. Even if your baby dislikes it, Continue to make tummy time part of your baby’s regular routine. Try not to become discouraged if your baby is not progressing as quickly as you would like. By remaining consistent you will start to see your baby’s skills improving, and it will become a more enjoyable experience for the both of you.
Thank you for reading. Comment on the comment section if you found this post helpful and also suggest the topics that you would love to see covered.Thank you