6 Amazing Benefits Of Tummy Time For Babies That Every Parent Should Know About

Tummy time for babies is the practice of laying your little ones on their tummies, for short durations, and for several times during the day when they are awake and under adult supervision. Tummy time is considered your baby’s first workout and is the most suitable and preferable way of letting your baby play and explore the world. 

While tummy time is highly recommended by doctors, some parents may feel apprehensive about laying their babies on their tummies. However, worry not, as tummy time is absolutely safe and healthy, and helps support your baby’s growth and development.

When Should You Start Tummy Time For Babies?

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), babies can have two to three tummy time sessions, each day, from the first day at their home. However, be informed that these sessions should always be conducted under the supervision of parents and can last for as short as three to five minutes. Once your baby grows and becomes comfortable with tummy time, you can extend the duration to strengthen their upper body muscles, head, and neck. 

For babies who are premature/unwell, or whose umbilical cord hasn’t fallen out or healed, tummy time can be administered in a safer way. For this, you simply have to sit in a laid-back position and then place your little one on your chest (with the baby’s front side of the body on your chest).

How Much Tummy Time Should Your Baby Have?

Babies react to tummy time differently. While some may enjoy tummy time for longer, others might lose interest in it after a short duration. In either case, parents should aim for an hour of tummy time throughout the day and split them into multiple sessions each day until the baby is three months of age. 

It’s a good idea to begin with shorter sessions at first and then gradually extend the duration over the first several months. Keep in mind that tummy time is beneficial for your baby’s development, so try to encourage your little one to do tummy time as much as possible. 

6 Benefits Of Tummy Time For Babies

• Tummy time helps strengthen your baby’s upper body muscles and encourages body movements like lifting their head, rolling over, crawling, sitting up, and walking. 
• It helps your baby gain body and head control and supports their movement from one position to another.
• It helps promote coordination and motor skills in your baby and encourages necessary movements such as reaching out for objects and toys lying in front of them.
• It may help relieve colic symptoms and comfort your baby. If this activity doesn’t help to soothe your baby, then you may consider applying a tummy relief roll-on on their stomach to reduce colic discomfort. Opt for a tummy relief roll-on with plant-based ingredients like hing oil, ginger oil, and peppermint oil to ease digestive problems and soothe muscular aches. 
• It may also help ease torticollis in newborns, a condition that causes stiffness of the neck. 
• It may help prevent flat spots (positional plagiocephaly) at the back of your baby’s head.

How To Prepare Your Baby For Tummy Time

Here are some helpful tummy time tips that you can follow to have an exciting and fun time with your munchkin.

Gather All The Essentials

A flat surface and a play mat are sufficient for your baby’s tummy time, but you can always add a few more items to make the session fun. Gather noise-making or musical toys, cloth books, unbreakable mirrors, and toys with different textures. You may also play soothing music in the background to make the environment pleasing for your baby.

Prepare The Play Area

Prepare a small area for tummy time by cleaning it properly. Make sure to do tummy time on a flat surface, for instance, the floor. Spread out a play mat, blanket, or carpet and lay all your little one’s toys or flashcards on it. Set up a regular routine for tummy time, such as your baby’s bath, nap, and diaper routine. This will help establish a daily tummy time routine for your munchkin.

Ready Your Munchkin

Dress up your little one in an infant bodysuit or a onesie so that they can feel the different textures on their skin. While your baby is on their tummy, the skin in their arms, stomach, and legs senses the surface on which they are lying. And as they move around, the friction gives them an idea about the surface.

Interact With Your Baby

While putting your baby for tummy time, ensure that they are awake, alert, and calm. Keep the initial sessions short and gradually lengthen the duration depending on your baby’s tolerance and needs. Try to interact with your munchkin and play with them using the toys and other items. Also, encourage them to reach out to the toys themselves. You can also involve older siblings during tummy time to help them bond with the baby.

Additionally, you should never leave your baby unattended during tummy time. End the activity if it makes them cranky or fussy, and try putting them on their tummy again at a later time.

Tummy time plays a crucial role in your baby’s initial growth and development and can help strengthen their upper body and muscles. This activity will also help them gain control of their head and neck and boost their coordination skills. Apart from having adequate tummy times, you can give your baby nourishing oil massages regularly to help strengthen their bones and muscles, and boost development. 

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