Today's babies are more apt to struggle with basic motor skills, including lifting their heads and shoulders, rolling over and milestone developments due to spending too many waking hours on their backs or in strollers, car seats and carriers. Tummy time encourages healthy development, and even an updated "Back to Sleep" campaign designed to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been updated to now say, "Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play."
Another concern with infants spending too much time on their backs is developing a flat or misshapen head, call Positional Plagiocephaly. Parents should make sure that their child's care provider understands the need for tummy time for proper growth and development, and be able to demonstrate how and for how long tummy time is provided on a daily basis. Since infants in child care may spend significant time in swings or cribs, it is important to make sure they avoid long stretches of time spent on their backs while they are awake.
Tummy Time Tactics:
- Tummy time doesn't have to mean floor time. Any activity that keeps your baby from lying flat in one position against a hard surface can contribute to healthy development.
- Carrying and holding an infant in various positions, especially using the belly hold or upright on your shoulder, helps avoid being flat on the back.
- Stay with your baby to interact and provide stimulation during traditional tummy time on the floor.
- If you wait too long to start placing your infant on his tummy, he may protest at first. By starting tummy time earlier vs. later in a child's development, the less likely he will be to squawk at being placed down this way.
- Keep safety first. Make sure all toys and loose blankets are moved from the tummy time area and make sure your infant's head is in a proper position for breathing. You want to make sure no suffocation risks are present.
- Demonstrate proper tummy time techniques to your child's caregiver, even if they say they know what to do. While the concept is extremely simple, you want to make sure your infant's child care provider is familiar with your particular preferences to prevent any misunderstandings. Most child care providers already make it part of their routine to provide this important time to babies in their care.
