tummy-time

Tummy Time

Tummy time is so important for your baby. Tummy time strengthens your baby’s head, neck and shoulder muscles and builds their upper body strength so they are able to sit up, crawl and walk!

Tummy time should be initiated as part of your baby’s play routine from hospital discharge.

P2B always asks the question… can your baby lie on their tummy in the uterus? This is not a trick question. The answer is obviously no !

Therefore, tummy time is initially foreign to your baby. The more they do it the better and stronger they will become. Don’t stop doing it because they “don’t like it!”. Repetition and consistency ids the key here. You don’t become a runner by running once, you become a good runner by running every day.

Start off slowly. P2B recommends 1 minute 3 times a day for how many weeks of age they are!

Keep tummy time interesting and fun. Tummy time should always be on a flat surface. Laying on parents chest is, but isn’t, tummy time. I liken chest tummy time is like doing a push up on your knees.  100% initially it is a great start for new parents to build their confidence in their little ones ability.  However I would encourage you to move forward as your baby gets older.

Lie down in front of your baby and sing and talk to them – they love to seeing and interacting with their parents. Place toys in front of them, a book or use a non breakable mirror- they love seeing the “other” baby. Change it up – inside, outside and on different surfaces.

A great page to follow for tummy time tips and physical developmental leaps is My Strong Little Body. Alanna is a paediatric physiotherapist on the Gold Coast and shares her great wealth of knowledge for parents on her socials.

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