The family compass

You’re navigating diaper changes, feeding schedules, and those precious, sleepy cuddles. Among all this, you’ve probably heard a piece of advice from your paediatrician or read it in a baby book: “don’t forget tummy time!”

But what exactly is it, and why is it so important? And more importantly, what do you do when your baby seems to hate it?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This guid will turn tummy time from a daily struggle into an enjoyable and rewarding part of your day.

What is tummy time, anyway?
Simply put, tymmy time is the period during the day when you baby is awake and placed on their stomach while you supervise them.

It’s a crucial form of exercise that counters the long hours the spend on their backs (in cribs, bassinets, and bouncers). Since the groundbreaking back to sleep campaign (now called safe to sleep), which had dramatically reduced the risk of SIDS, babies spend less time on their tummies naturally. Tummy time fills that gap, ensuring they develop the strength they need.

Why is tummy so important? The super-baby benefits
Think of tummy time as your baby’s daily workout session! It’s foundational for their physical development, offering a host of benefits:

1. Build super-strong neck and shoulder muscles: this is the most obvious benefit. Lifting their head against gravity strengthens the muscles they need for head control, which is the first step toward rolling over, sitting up, and crawling.
2. Prevents flat spots: spending too much time on their back can cause a flattening on the back of a baby’s head (positional plagiocephaly). Regular tummy time relieves pressure from the back of the head an helps it maintain a nice, round shape.
3. Boosts motor skills: tummy time isn’t just about the neck. It engages the entire body. Pushing up on their arms strengthens core, back and arm muscles, paving the way for all futures milestones like rolling, pushing up, and eventually crawling.
4. Offers a new perspective: the world looks very different from their tummy! This new vantage point encourages visual tracking and helps with sensory development as they see, touch, and explore their surroundings from a new angle.

Getting started: how to do tummy time right.
The key is to start early, go slow, and keep it positive.

When to start: you can begin a soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. Start with very short sessions, just 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

Where to do it: choose a firm, flat surface. A clean play mat or a blanket on the floor is perfect. Avoid doing it on a bed a sofa where they could roll off.

The golden rule: never leave them unattended. Always stay with you baby during tummy time.

“but my baby hates tummy time!” – how to make it fun
This is the most common challage, and it’s completely normal. Imagine being asked to do a plank exercise when you’ve never used those muscles before, you’d protest, too! The goal is to make it positive experience.

Here are 10 fun ideas to turn those fusses into giggles:

1. Get down on their level: lie on the floor facing your baby. Make silly faces, talk, and sing to them. You are their favorite toy.
2. Use a prop: roll up small towel or muslin blanket and place it under their chest and armpits. This gives them a little boost and makes lifting their head easier.
3. Tummy time on your tummy: lie down on your back or reclined and place your baby on your chest. They’ll work on lifting their head to see your face, and they’ll love being close to you.
4. Mirror, mirror on the floor: babies are fascinated by faces, especially their own! Place an unbreakable baby-safe mirror in front of them. They’ll be motivated to lift their to seek that cute baby.
5. The “airplane” lap: sit on the floor or a chair and lay your baby face-down across your lap, supporting their head. You can gently sway and sing, this is a great, gentle alternative.
6. Follow the toy: use high-contrast black-and-white cards or a colourful, engaging toy. Hold it in front of them and slowly lift it up to encourage them to follow it with their eyes and lift their head.
7. Sensory adventure: place different textured fabrics (like a soft blanket, a silky scarf, or a crinkly mat) underneath them for a fun sensory experience.
8. Bubble fun: as they get a little older, gently blow bubbles just above their head. They’ll be mesmerized and try to track them, lifting their head in the process.
9. Tummy time playground: if you have a partner of older sibling, make it a group activity. Have everyone get on the floor together. Family involvement makes everything more fun.
10. Keep sessions short and sweet: it’s better to have three successful 3-minute sessions than one 10-minute session filled with tears. End on a positive note, before they get too frustrated.

A quick tummy time milestone checklist

• Newborn: brief, fussy sessions. May only lift head for a second.
• 2-3 months: can lift head to 45 degrees. May start pushing up on forearms.
• 4-6 months: pushes up on straight arms. May start reaching for toys and rolling from tummy to back.

Remember, every baby is unique and develops at their own pace. Tummy time is a journey, not a race.
You’ve got this! By making tummy time a consistent, fun, and loving part of your routine, you’re giving your baby the strongest possible start. Celebrate the small victories, that first wobbly head lift is a huge achievement.

What are your favorite tummy time tricks? Share your tips and experiences in de comments or in de parent circle chat to help other parents in our community.