Curative Care Blogs

October 7, 2024

How to Help Baby With Tummy Time

As a new parent, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the influx of information and advice coming at you from every direction. Not only are you adjusting to this new found role of being a parent, but you are now responsible for a little human! During the first few weeks, you’re likely feeling consumed by the never ending “eat, sleep, potty - repeat” cycle. Eventually, those wake windows begin to lengthen and you may find yourself wondering, “How the heck am I supposed to entertain you?” (Or maybe that was just me). The goal of this milestone series is to assist parents in understanding how to purposefully play with their baby to promote movement and achieve developmental milestones.

This series will begin with the infamous "tummy time" and progress through the common gross motor milestones. As you follow along, please remember every baby is different. If you are ever concerned about your child’s gross motor development, contact their pediatrician and inquire about a physical therapy referral.

What does it mean to “purposefully play”?

• Parenthood is busy. Of course it would be great if we could just sit and play with our babies all day long! In reality, there’s dishes and clothes to be washed, rooms to be tidied, and other children to look after. I encourage parents to adopt the mindset of 20-30 minutes of purposeful play each day. Encouraging movement and assisting your baby with positioning allows them to develop the motor planning necessary for independence in these gross motor milestones.

Tummy Time:

• Did you know you can begin tummy time with your baby as early as 1 day old? The ultimate goal of tummy time is to relieve pressure on the back of your baby’s head. Therefore, your baby does not need to be laying flat on the floor for it to be considered “tummy time”.

What are the benefits of tummy time?

• Tummy time improves head control and strengthens neck, shoulder, arm, and trunk muscles required for higher level skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, and walking!
• Can help relieve gas pains through gentle pressure on the belly.
• Assists in the prevention of plagiocephaly or brachycephaly (flat head).

Ways to practice tummy time:

1. 1. On your chest in a reclined position
   2. Propped on a towel roll or Boppy pillow
   3. On a yoga ball
   4. Flat on the ground

“Typical” Progression of the skill:

• Newborn:
  1. 1. Your baby will demonstrate that precious “newborn scrunch” with flexed hips and knees. Their little head will rest to one side or the other. You may see brief moments of them lifting and turning their head, but these movements are uncontrolled.
• 1-2 months:
  1. 2. Your baby will gain strength and endurance allowing them to lift and clear their face rotating side to side. They will be able to bear weight through their forearms which assists with arm, shoulder, and trunk strength.
• 3-4 months:
  1. 3. Your baby will lift their head 45-90 degrees off the floor. They will be able to push through their shoulders easier which lifts their head higher. You may begin to see your baby roll belly to back, however, this is often first on accident!
• 5-7 months:
  1. 4. Your baby may be able to push up onto their hands through extended elbows. They also demonstrate a sustained head lift and will begin reaching with one hand to bat at toys.

Tips:

• When first practicing, your baby will need more assistance from you to maintain the position. Place your baby's elbows directly under their shoulders and provide stability at the arm allowing your baby to lift or turn their head side to side.
• Utilize your baby’s preferred toy for motivation! High contrast cards or light up/music toys are a great option.
• Start with 1-5 minute intervals, increasing to several 10-15 minute increments throughout the day as your baby builds tolerance. Our goal is to eventually spend 30-60 minutes in tummy time per day.
• Roll your baby in and out of tummy time! Not only does this allow them to practice their rolling skills early, it introduces vestibular input which assists in balance, coordination, and posture later on in life!

DISCLAIMER: tummy time should always be done under supervision and while the baby is awake.

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