Tummy Time with Your Baby
We’ve all heard how important tummy time is for your baby to develop skills to move! From tummy time your baby will learn to roll, pivot, creep and crawl BUT there is so much more to gain from it…
Early tummy time such as chest to chest (YES, this counts!) provides an opportunity for you and your baby to bond It has been shown to calm and regulate a baby’s temperature, heart beat and breathing rate, which will aid in digestion and deep sleep. Later on, tummy time is not only incredibly useful for the development of neck, shoulder, trunk and hip muscle strength but also assists in the development of depth perception, spatial awareness and hand eye coordination In saying all that, we appreciate that tummy time is not always easy! Tummy time can be challenging for little ones but does not have to be a stressful experience!
Here are some tips to have you both enjoying your tummy time more:
1.Chest to chest is a lovely way to introduce the position of tummy time
2.Position your baby’s hands by their face and tuck elbows to give them the best chance of lifting their head
3.Once you transition to the floor, use a folded towel to lift your baby’s chest ever so slightly
4.Use a mirror or get down low to interact with your baby in tummy time. Seeing your face is incredibly motivating!
Having difficulty with tummy time? Get in touch to see what is involved in a paediatric physiotherapy consultation
