Welcome new parents! Congratulations on your bundle of joy. You're probably wondering, "what the heck is tummy time and when do I start?" Don't worry, you’re not alone in this question.
Tummy time is an activity where babies spend time lying on their tummies while they are awake and supervised. It’s important because it helps build strength in their necks, arms, back muscles,and so much more.
In this article,we'll explore everything there is to know about tummy time, including when to start and its benefits; So grab a cup of coffee or tea if you fancy it (parents need caffeine), sit back, relax,and let's dive into the wonderful world of tummy time for newborns!
Importance of Tummy Time
Babies spend lots of hours sleeping throughout the day but during the times that they are awake (which ain't that long when still newbies) powerful things happen to their brain development.
At birth babies have very weak neck muscles which will develop over weeks/months as their body naturally evolves. Repetitively showing them patterns earlier builds neural pathways which ultimately results in strong critical thinking skills later in life according to development experts.
"But how does all this affect my baby?" Simple—tummy time works those developing muscles & promotes physical milestones such as rolling over , crawling ,struggling up onto little toes(aka standing)& strengtheningdo we mention strengthen enough already? of course we didn’t those important neck muscles!
For infants with trouble feeding lactation consultants suggest parents begin incorporating short periods 5-10min daily gradually increasing duration overtime prior feedings(upwards around 20 minutes). We could name off dozens of pros if big brothers like Google wasn't tempted nearby work computer…
When Should I Start Tummy Time?
The American Academy of Pediatrics(AAP) recommends starting tummy time as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital. This doesn't necessarily need to happen right away but it's important that you don‘t hold off too long either.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Start with short periods while your baby is calm and alert
- Aim for 2-3 sessions daily, working up to a total of an hour per day
- Use a comfortable mat or blanket on the floor
"1 HOUR? ARE YOU MAD?"- No, just kidding parents! We know this seems like A LOT especially when considering how little a newborn is awake at any given moment. Luckily AAP emphasizes "An ideal goal is (at least/on average) reaching about 10-15 minutes.. initially”
As your little one becomes more accepting/socialized/let’s be honest gremlin-like and mobile…tummy time can become incorporated into their daily playtime routine for longer duration because practice makes perfect & hey if they burn extra energy then win-win(for everyone involved).
Just remember every infant develops differently so take cues from them ya understanding awesome parent!
Signs You Need To Stop Tummy TimE(pauses due to alliteration)
Noticing any necessary signs will help ensure effectiveness ,safety,& enjoyment during tummy-time.
Some reasons where stopping might become necessary
- Baby unable lift head briefly while lying on stomach - Don’t forget heads make difficult bobble-head dolls/really low poly model in-game character
- Infants rubbing face into room-floor causing discomfort – oh look at all those dust bunnies we should clean up…
- As well-maintained floors,surroundings,great decisions picking washable blankets/sheets&washable playmats underneath infants.
- Say goodbye,dust-bunny-fiesta vacuuming!
Keep our list below your pocket during tummy time just in case you can't remember every sign all the while watching your most-likely-sleeping child.
| Signs You Need To Stop Tummy Time | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Struggling to lift head when facedown | Head and neck muscles aren’t strong enough, take a break |
| Lying face down too long without rest | Infants run out of gas easily, it's okay to pause for a bit |
| Face rubbing into floor or mat | Can be uncomfortable for them |
How Can I Make Tummy Time Fun?
Sure infants might not understand chess,laser tag,hockey(we obviously wouldn’t recommend ice hockey yet) & enjoy complicated tasks like their fanatics (adults) BUT that doesn't mean parents can't create an environment inducing FUN!
Keep in mind that some babies are reluctant about tummy-time because it’s only natural things outside their routine will generate skepticism. However there are always creative ways you as parents/caregivers/family members (oh yeah, we see grandparents! )can alter or make plain activities more engaging.
Check out some of these ideas:
- Sing-A-Song
- Storytime on Tums: Read picture books by moving characters around and add silly sound-affects
- Mirror,mirror on the wall(who is the fairest of them all): Show your little one reflections across the room with hand mirrors 4.play ‘where’d they go’: switch up objects-toys beneath aged safetiness levels(respectively) 5.show off colors!cue stage presence Breathe life into tummy time by placing colorful toys around baby. 6.Encourage siblings - Older brothers and sisters love to play 'teacher'! 7.Toughen Up Buttercup-Enhancing Grips Let baby grab onto provided fabric items/toys
The possibilities with tummy time are endless! As always, make sure to supervise and interact with your child. Take any idea above or below & modify it that works best for baby..
FAQs About Tummy Time
We know you might have some lingering questions about tummy-time, let’s address them now:
- What if the Baby Hates It?
There's a high chance an infant will protest new experiences but most importantly don't get discouraged by this! To effectively warm up newborns take small steps incorporating effort gradually instead of entirely ignoring attempts screaming-disapproval.
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How Long Should Each Session Last? Answer: Best case scenario they last 3-5 minutes twice per day in the beginning.It all depends on how comfortable babies feel physiologically/needs/schedules/time-allotmentabilities/etc;Just start small & builds over time!
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Is it Safe to Leave Them Alone During Tummy Time? Nope! Floor playtime is highly suggested initially since easier than uncomfortable neck jolts from improper baby carriers devices (don’t even mention walkers). While constantly supervising make sure infants lay down on safe surfaces at unwrapped hours--hey parents need sleep/lounge away times too.
4.What If My Infant Starts Crying? This happens more often then not during tummy-time but instead of frantically attempting to end activities take pause…Maybe soothe your babe a bit then keep trying introducing toys/storytime mentions before session begins till acceptant/recognize delightful aspects.
Conclusion
Now moms, dads,caregivers we hope this guide clarifies the benefits pastels,timelines,and creative ideas behind promoting tummy time fun so remember incorporate into daily routine/substitute for cookie bouquet (since doctors probably won't recommend feeding frosting/buttercream anytime soon).
Enjoy these moments when working on building lasting neural connections while golden STRENGTHENING neck-muscles! Provide stimulating environment/tunes+flavors/interaction with your new family member. Show off those reading,tying-shoes,& sound effect making skills..that little tyke will appreciate it in the long-haul(you know when you'll be asking them to consider baking cookies together!) !