Tips for practicing Tummy Time with your little one
Tummy Time is a term that means placing your baby face down while he or she is awake and under supervision. It is recommended to practice this position on a firm surface to provide greater comfort and stability for your little one. Tummy Time is a physical activity that promotes the proper development of your baby and brings several benefits.
Why should you practice tummy time?
Strengthens the muscles
Tummy Time is an important exercise for your baby's body. By encouraging the tummy time position, your baby learns to lift his head and strengthen his neck and back muscles . This allows him to develop his motor coordination and will later help him to roll over on his own, crawl, sit up and walk.
Prevents flat head syndrome
If you have a newborn or very young baby, you'll find that he or she spends a lot of time on his or her back. So practicing the tummy time helps prevent cranial deformities that can occur when your little one spends a lot of time in the same position.
Relieves certain ailments
Practicing the tummy time helps your baby calm down and reduce cramps, gas, and constipation . This is because when your baby's abdomen is in contact with a firm surface, it creates the sensation of a self-massage, helping to relieve that area.
Tips for practicing Tummy Time
If your baby doesn't like being on his tummy
Your baby may get irritated in this position for the first few days, as he or she is not yet able to lift his or her head or coordinate his or her movements. Don't push too hard and try again a couple of days later. Ideally, practice tummy time about 40 minutes after your baby has eaten .
If your baby turns over on his own when sleeping
Around 6 months , babies start to turn over on their own while sleeping . This can be very upsetting and cause sleep problems if they are not used to being on their stomach. So the more you practice with your little one, the more familiar they will be with this position and it won't be a problem while they sleep.
Tummy Time Can Be Fun
As your baby gets older, he'll enjoy being on his tummy more as it allows him to explore more independently . Lie on the floor with him, talk to him and play. You can encourage play by placing toys near him so he can reach them on his own.
As you can see, Tummy Time is an excellent physical exercise that stimulates your baby to work his entire body from motor coordination to his senses. Unless there are medical indications to the contrary, you can start practicing it a few weeks after your baby is born and for short periods of time between 2 to 3 times a week.
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