Tummy time tips

Tips for being on the floor and why

Yes, tummy time is actually really important for babies in their first year!
The biggest thing to know is that Tummy Time should not happen all in one sitting. Do it in small doses throughout the day when baby is fed, rested, and happy. Yes, it would be great if by the end of the day, your baby's time on his/her tummy adds up to at least 30 minutes, but realistically this is going to happen in 2-10 minute intervals. Don't be discouraged if your baby puts up a fuss. Keep infusing it in your day and disguise it with fun/interesting entertainment!

Key reasons why Tummy Time is important:

• Tummy time forces a baby to work against gravity, giving them the chance to build critical neck, back, and arm muscles that will allow them to hit other major milestones down the road including clapping, self-feeding, dressing, writing, and more!
• Tummy time increases your baby's chances of crawling which is fundamental to brain and eye tracking development that will ultimately support their ability to read, focus, and problem solve
• Tummy time occupies all areas of the brain to figure out space and movement

Some ways to make Tummy Time FUN: 

• Tummy time can be done in small increments! Shoot for a bunch of 3-5 minute tummy time sessions a day
• Prop them up on a boppy pillow so they are a little more elevated, and put a mirror or fun toy on the floor in front of them
• Put baby on your bed and get down on the floor on your knees so your heads are on the same level. For a few minutes, sing a song, read a book, or just have a plain old conversation where you do all the talking and they do the staring.
• Get down on your belly and talk or sing to them to make it a more fun and interactive experience (who wants to be down on the floor all alone?)
• Put them on your tummy/chest so you are face to face, this is also a fun physical bonding activity!
• Put on music and dance with them in football position on your arm, this counts as tummy time too!

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IF YOUR BABY SKIPPED CRAWLING, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO WORK ON IT: 
Every physical milestone represents a pathway of a baby's brain developing as it should. When a milestone is skipped, this can result in learning delays or other deficiencies down the road. BUT milestone's do not always need to be reached in perfect order. Every child's body has it's own unique plan for development. If a child walks before they crawl, that's OK but still encourage them to practice crawling even in toddlerhood. Get on the floor and pretend to be animals, buy a fun tunnel to crawl through at home, make bridges and forts out of blankets and crawl around in them. The sky's the limit! Just don't neglect the crawling milestone, Learn more from OT experts on why crawling is important!

TIME ON THE TUMMY REMAINS IMPORTANT IN CHILDHOOD- HERE ARE SOME TIPS ON WHY AND HOW

 If your child is 3 or 4 months behind in a milestone and you are starting to worry about it, talk to your pediatrician. Catching a developmental delay young is the best way to give a child the support he/she needs to thrive!