Help me with tummy time

When your baby is lying on her tummy, she has a chance to exercise the muscles she’ll soon need for crawling, rolling over and walking. Here’s how to help.

WHILE TUMMY TIME helps stretch, strengthen and tone all your baby’s muscles from head to toe, it is especially important for the development and exercise of the neck, back and trunk muscles. These muscle groups play a crucial role in your baby’s healthy development.

In the long term, time spent lying prone lays the foundations for strong muscles that can work in a coordinated manner, so that your little baby may one day be able to hold a pencil well at school, have good balance and be able to jump, run and track objects with her eyes – which are all necessary for developing reading and concentration.

WHEN SHOULD I START?

Experts say you should let your baby spend short periods of time on her tummy right from birth. Lie her on your chest as you watch TV, for instance, or let her spend the short while it takes you to get her bath ready on her tummy.

As soon as she’s a little older, she can move from your chest or bed onto the floor for short periods of tummy time to give her maximum freedom of movement. Even if she can’t yet lift her head, tummy time will still work at strengthening those muscles. At about one month old your baby should already be able to turn her head from side to side while she’s lying face down.

HOW MUCH DOES SHE NEED? Ideally, babies could be placed on their tummies after each nap, nappy change and feed – aim for a minute or two at a time, for starters.

As she grows, you can extend the time gradually, and by three months, your baby should be spending about an hour cumulatively a day on her tummy (divided into shorter sessions, of course).

BUT BABY HATES HER TUMMY TIME! Many babies who are not used to regular tummy time protest against it – sometimes quite vocally! And even babies who are given regular tummy time may not enjoy it. But don’t stop doing it just because your little princess is unhappy about it. Her long term development is just too important. Rather keep tummy time sessions short – even if it’s just a few seconds at a time – but repeat them regularly throughout the day as part of baby’s routine, until she gets used to it. Tummy time sessions on your lap or chest are an excellent start.

DO THIS

TUM TO TUM Lie flat on the bed or a sofa and place your baby across your chest or stomach so that you can make eye contact with each other. Keep your hands near as supports in case she rolls off you.

LAP COMFORT Sit on a comfortable couch or chair and lie your baby face down in your lap, stretched out with her face at your knees. Rock her gently in this position by swaying your legs slightly. Keep your hand on her bum so she feels (and is) safe.

LOOK AT ME Roll a towel up and drape your baby’s arms and chest over it. Now join your baby on the floor. Lie down flat, nose to nose with your baby, while you gaze and whisper sweet nothings to each other. Move your face from side to side to encourage her to track you.

CARRIER BAG Carry your baby with your arm between her legs and her tummy draped over your forearm. Prop her head and shoulders with your other hand, and keep her close to your chest, not extended out.

DOWN TO EARTH Let your baby lie flat on the ground (on a playmat). Provide interesting toys as a distraction, and choose a playmat with exciting pictures or textures to motivate her to lift her head.