So……in our last blog we talked about the importance of Tummy
Time and what Crawling does for a baby’s body and a baby’s development. But the most frequent statement I hear from
parents and care providers is, “My baby HATES Tummy Time!! I feel like I am torturing them when I place
them on their stomach. How can I get them to like it?”
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| Tummy Time for Three! |
Ideally, you should start placing your baby on their tummy
as soon as they arrive home from the hospital or birthing center. A terrific way to do this is to place them on
your chest. Recline in a chair, sofa, or
in bed and place your baby on your chest.
Bare skin to bare skin is ideal, but some babies like to be “swaddled”
and don’t like being outside of their blanket or clothes. Bonding occurs
between child and parent in this position; as you talk and sing to your baby
they feel your chest rise and fall with your breathing and vibrate with your
voice. They can smell you and feel your
skin. It is a delightful smorgasbord for
their senses! They will be mesmerized and love being on their tummy!
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| Dad and Baby Tummy Time |
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| Tummy Time on Mom |
If your baby is not a newborn, it’s not too late! Placing
them on your chest is still a very good way to encourage prone (tummy)
position. Get yourself into a comfortable, reclined position on the floor or in
a chair. Place your little one on your chest facing you and prop their elbows
under their shoulders. In this position you can both be face to face and enjoy
some one-on-one time chatting, humming, or singing. You can tell them about your day, about your
hopes and aspirations for them, about all the qualities you love about them!
They will answer you with lots of cooing and affection. They will tolerate this
position much longer because they are sharing time with you and enjoying the
soft warmth of your body.
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| Bonding with Baby in Tummy Time |
Another excellent way to get babies to stay on their tummies
is by placing them on the floor over a “Boppy Pillow” or making a towel roll
and placing it under their upper chest and arm pits.
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| Tummy Time in Triplicate! |
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| Using a Boppy for Tummy Time |
This is helpful for
children who do not yet have sufficient strength to lift and maintain their
head and upper trunk off the floor.
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| Play with Baby During Tummy Time |
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| Tummy Time Fun |
Make time to join them in this activity--if
you place yourself in front of your baby in the same position, the two of you
can have great conversations together. Or you can put a toy between the two of you and you can engage in interactive play. Some great toys for floor playtime can be found here.
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| Tummy Time Over a Forearm |
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| Tummy Time over a Thigh |
Try placing your baby on her belly across your forearm, thigh or legs.
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| Tummy Time over a Lap |
If you have an older child who did not crawl a lot or you
would like to reinforce crawling with your baby or toddler,
Tunnel Play is a
wonderful way to do this. Kids love to
play Hide ‘N Seek in a tunnel or go around and around from one end to the
other, especially if someone is ‘chasing’ them!
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| Tunnel Crawling Improves Coordination and Reciprocal Movement |
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| Scooter Board Fun Improves Skills |
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| Prone Activities improve Trunk Strength |
Even older children can still work on building coordination
and reciprocal skills by playing games on their bellies. Using a
scooter board is an excellent way to
build strength and use arms and legs. Let kids swing face down with their belly over a swing. Playing a game of “Slithery Snake” or “Inch Worm” can also engage
children in prone activities.
Go slowly and start with just a few minutes at a time. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day! 5
minutes of enjoyed Tummy Time is better than fighting and crying for 15 minutes
of Tummy Time! Find several times
throughout the day when you can relax and dedicate at least 5 minutes to
one-on-one with your child. The
investment in time is worth it! Your
relationship will deepen and you will find great joy in the bonding that takes
place and in knowing that your baby is developing muscles and skills that will
help him or her advance through their developmental milestones of early
childhood.
Author: Trisha Roberts
www.proeducationaltoys.com
Copyright © 2016 TNT Inspired Enterprise, LLC,
All rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication is a violation of
applicable laws.
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