Making Tummy Time Terrific, Instead of Terrible
The dreaded tummy time. Some babies might be easy breezy with their little daily workouts, but many are not big fans. Being home with a new baby can be enough of a challenge as the baby learns to be part of the outside world and parents are learning their new little one. Adding in the stress associated with tummy time can be, well, a lot.
Tummy time doesn’t have to be a dread and can even be a sweet bonding moment for you and your little one! So, let’s take a look at the ‘why’ behind tummy time and some helpful hints for incorporating it at home, preschool, daycare or childcare.
Here at Chester Child Development and Youth Center, we know the value of tummy time in our infant rooms. We provide each baby with appropriate rotations on their little bellies, and our educators are excellent at helping to make their belly down time enjoyable. Call today to schedule a tour and come see our little ones learn, roll, and play.
The ‘Why’ Behind Tummy Time
Tummy Time is more than just simply a positioning exercise. Time belly down gives babies a chance to move, lift their head, push up, and gradually build the muscles in their neck, back, shoulders, and core that they will need to walk, play, and move about. Over time, those muscles strengthen, laying a foundation for rolling, sitting, crawling, and more.
Research has confirmed tummy time’s positive impact. A comprehensive review found by the American Academy of Pediatrics showed associations between tummy time and stronger gross motor development, healthier head shape, and lower BMI-z scores. Longitudinal studies have also linked regular tummy time with reaching motor milestones earlier.
In the world of early childhood education and childcare, tummy time is a developmental priority. Here at Chester Child Development Center, we incorporate this practice daily to help ensure our infants continue to build strength, even while away from home. Come by and check out our infant rooms today!
Beginning Gently
Whether you plan to stay home or enroll your child in daycare of childcare, tummy time is an important piece of infant development. Connecticut Children’s suggests that tummy time can even start right away–being mindful of umbilical cord stumps in the early weeks, that is. Start your little one off slowly, even allowing them to practice for just 30 seconds, and gradually increase from there. Multiple sessions per day will allow babies time to move their bodies and get the practice they need, while also building up their tolerance, allowing them to stay on their bellies with a good attitude for longer.
Fussiness at first is completely normal, but you can also start with supporting positions like placing baby tummy-down-on-your-chest (great for skin-to-skin bonding time), side lying or even baby-wearing (such as with a Moby Wrap or Ergo).
The educators in our infant room here at Chester Child Development Center are amazing and ready for all the baby snuggles! Call us today to schedule a tour and meet our infant room teachers and see the lovely and educational activities they have planned for the littles in their care.
Tummy Time with Smiles
A little creativity goes a long way in turning tummy time from a struggle into a bonding moment. Here are some gentle ideas:
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Get face-to-face: Lie on the floor with your little one and talk, sing, or even make silly faces. Your presence can make all the difference. -
Add toys & mirrors: High contrast toys, a picture book, or baby-safe mirrors are excellent for encouraging head lifting and turning. Place them within your babies’ field of vision and watch their curiosity grow.
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Use a rolled towel support: Tuck a soft, rolled hand towel or wash cloth under the baby’s chest to ease the pressure as they build strength.
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Varying surfaces: a blanket, play mat, clean carpet, or even a fresh and knobby mop pad can all provide a new and engaging texture of little ones to explore.
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Include siblings or friends: Start the play dates early! Tummy time with friends can be motivating and fun for little ones.
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Break it up: You don’t need long continuous periods of tummy time in order to ensure growth and development. short sessions that align with your schedule and both yours and your infant’s mood might be much more helpful than a n hour of grump and hard work.
As babies grow and their abilities expand, they will eventually push up on their arms, tilt their heads, and begin to move around quite a bit–even well before crawling! Each session of tummy time, whether short or long, makes a contribution to infant development and growth!
Early Childhood Education goes far beyond ABC’s and shapes. Learning and developing physically is incredibly important, as well! Ask us about our tummy time practices here at Chester Child Development Center and let us know how our teachers can support your little on as they grow!
Encouragement for You
It’s hard to see a little baby in their early days and imagine them capable of holding up their own head, let alone crawling. Tummy time will be subtle, but with the work that babies put in–at home, in daycare or childcare or in the carrier at the grocery store–each session will add up. Through the easy days and the hard, these babies are constantly working on their early childhood development and will one day surprise you and hold their head up for longer than ever before! Remember, don’t beat yourself up if your baby fusses. Pause, get some snuggles, try again later, and celebrate each small win. Gentle consistency will make the difference.
If you ever wonder if your baby’s motor development is on track, talk to your pediatrician or early intervention provider. But in most cases, combining tummy time with responsive care and nurturing interactions is enough to support healthy growth.
We would love to come alongside your family to help support the growth and development of your little one. Call us today here at Chester Child Development Center to schedule a tour and meet our teachers, peek at our daily lesson plans and to see first-hand where learning takes off.