This is a question I hear from parents of babies all the time. I know we should be doing tummy time, but every time I place him on this stomach, he just starts crying. I really think he hates it.
Well, maybe…but maybe not. Sometimes us parents need to tweak our perspective a bit and take a look at the big picture. Tummy time is no different. We know it’s important to incorporate into our baby’s day from his first days at home until he’s off; rolling, crawling, cruising, and then walking away from us.
Tummy time helps develop your baby’s head control by strengthening those neck, shoulder, and back muscles. And it gives her some reprieve from all that time she spends on her back and in other baby containers (such as bouncers, swings, and carseats).
The AAP SIDS prevention slogan: Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play is an important one.
But…remember it’s not just about tummy time. Your baby needs some true, unobstructed, free floor time. Tummy time can be 3-5 minutes of say, a 20 minute floor session (depending on the age of your baby). It’s important for your baby to move, discover, and play on her own terms and in her own way. Every day.
Simply placing her on her tummy without any warning can be quite distressing to her. She has no idea how she got there, and probably feels stuck. If we think about it from our baby’s perspective, we can easily understand just how distressing that might be.
So, here are some tips to make tummy time enjoyable for baby and you:
- Think of tummy time as something you do with your baby, not to your baby.
- Make tummy time part of the big picture of floor time. Make sure your baby has plenty of opportunity to explore, move, and discover in her own way.
- When you’re ready to get some tummy time in, talk your baby through it and show her how to get from her back to her tummy by gently rolling her over. Tell her what you’re doing every step of the way. Your soothing voice is reassuring her that she is safe and that you will be there with her the whole time.
- Have a few toys at the ready. Nothing elaborate because she would rather just look at and interact with you. But, small/unbreakable mirrors, simple board books, and a favorite rattle or stuffed animal within reach are great ways to keep her interest.
- Use a boppy pillow or other soft prop for his chest. In the beginning, babies often lift their head just enough to end up face planting on the floor. So make sure his adorable face has a soft place to land.
- In the beginning, keep it brief. 3-5 minutes 2-3 times per day is plenty. Gradually increase the time spent on his tummy as he comes to love this special time with you.
- Try laying your baby on your chest during floor time/tummy time. Your baby will be even more motivated to meet your loving gaze by raising her head.
So if you’re baby is currently hating tummy time, try these techniques and remember to keep the big picture in mind. Tummy time is an important aspect of the larger concept of free floor time. Remember, this is a time to bond with your baby while helping her to strengthen those muscles.
Does your baby hate tummy time? Have you found other ways to make it enjoyable?
Pin It
Not everyone supports Tummy Time. http://www.janetlansbury.com/2011/08/the-case-against-tummy-time-guest-post-by-irene-gutteridge/
I know and I love Janet Lansbury. I have read her writings on this with great interest. But still…I do believe in tummy time done with respect and from baby’s point of view. It’s really why I wrote this post, hoping to emphasize to parents that tummy time should take place in the bigger picture and context of free floor play and OUT of other baby devices.
Additionally, I believe in the impact and importance of talking with baby through the whole process. I have seen the positive effects of this in clinic too. Babies who are gently led to their tummies while being talked through it by their mothers/fathers were more receptive to it and did not cry like others who were simply placed on their stomachs. It is like feeling “stuck”.