Tummy Time: The Importance of This Activity for Infants

As a parent, you may have heard about the importance of tummy time activity for your baby. But what is it, and why is it important?

Tummy time is simply putting your baby on their stomach while they are awake and supervised. This activity is vital to a baby’s physical development, as it strengthens their neck, back, and shoulder muscles. These muscles are essential for head control, crawling, and sitting up.

Tummy time also helps prevent flat spots on the back of a baby’s head, which can occur if they spend too much time on their back. This condition is called positional plagiocephaly and can lead to delayed motor development.

Getting started with tummy time can be as simple as placing your baby on a blanket or mat on the floor. You can encourage them to lift their head by placing a toy or mirror in front of them.

It’s essential to start tummy time when your baby is young, preferably within the first few weeks of life. Gradually increase the time they spend on their stomach, starting with a few minutes and building up to an hour or more each day, as long as your baby is comfortable.

Tummy time activity is a simple but crucial part of your baby’s physical development. By ensuring your baby spends time on their stomach each day, you can help them build essential muscles and reach their developmental milestones.