What is tummy time and why is it so important?
Tummy time is placing your baby on their front whilst they are awake to strengthen your baby's muscles and allow them to get used to being in that position. Doing tummy time with your baby will help to develop a strong neck, shoulder muscles and trunk supporting your baby to eventually begin to roll, crawl and walk. You must only do tummy time with your baby whilst they are awake and alert and you must always be with your baby the whole time supervising and assisting. According to the Lullaby Trust you should lie your baby on their back to sleep.
When to start tummy time?
Health Visitors and the NHS advice that you can start tummy time from new born. Some children do not enjoy tummy time experiences. You can start of just doing one minute a day, then encourage longer periods of time on their tummy as your baby gets stronger and more confident. If your baby is struggling, try to get on to their level because hearing your voice and seeing you will comfort a very young baby.
Please remember all children are different and reach developmental milestones at different ages. If you are ever concerned about your child's development speak to your child's health visitor or GP
What tummy time activities can I do?
There are so many different ways to do tummy time. NHS Speech and Language Therapist, Francesca Ellis suggest
- When very young, you can sing lullaby's and soothing songs
- Round and round the garden interactive song with your fingers 'walking on their back'
- Head, shoulders, knees and toes, touching baby's body parts
- Incy, Wincy spider, using your fingers on their back
other ideas
- Play peek a boo games
- Sing songs
- Use resources and toys to encourage them to lift their head that make sounds to gain their attention
- Put things out of reach to encourage them to move
Have a look at this video for some further ideas and suggestions about tummy time experiences
All our sensory resources in the award winning My Sensory Journey Subscription and our online toy shop can be used to encourage your baby to enjoy their tummy time experiences.
Tag us in some of your pictures or stories of your baby exploring tummy time experiences on our Facebook or Instagram page.
Sources - Lullaby Trust, NHS & Francesca Ellis & Joanna Lewsley