Tummy Time

Most mums know about the importance of getting bub off to sleep on her back in order to reduce the likelihood of SIDS. But equally as important is getting your littlie to spend some quality time playing on her tiny tummy. It’s not only a great way to bond with your baby through play, but tummy time serves several vital purposes in your bubba’s development as well.

Why tummy time is so important
Paediatric occupational therapist Kaya Lyons says that there are three main reasons why time on the tummy is an essential part of a baby’s development. The first, she says, is the development of muscle tone. When your baby is put on her tummy, if she wants to see anything she has to lift her head against gravity, which improves the tone of muscles in her head, neck and upper limbs.

“Poor or low muscle tone in a baby’s head and neck will affect her ability to roll over, sit up, crawl and, eventually, pull up to standing,” explains Kaya.

The second key benefit of tummy time is the integration of reflexes. When she’s on her tummy and turns her head from side to side, your baby’s upper and lower limbs bend as a reflex. If bub isn’t spending time on her tummy, she isn’t putting these reflexes to work, which may result in poor coordination.

The third benefit involves bub’s breathing. When your baby is on her tummy and lifts her chest, she’s learning to extend her diaphragm, which leads to elongated breaths. This helps with core activation and postural control.

“If a baby is upset, being able to take a nice long breath can help her calm herself down,” says Kaya. “A child who hasn’t been given tummy time may find this harder to do, she may cry more often and she may also develop poor sleeping patterns.”

It’s a good idea to introduce tummy time as soon as your baby develops enough head and neck control to hold her head up against gravity (usually at about three months of age). When she is able to sit up unassisted and starts to ‘creep’ (usually around six to eight months), she doesn’t need to have tummy time anymore.

How much time for tummy time?
“I try not to tell parents how often and for how long they should have tummy time because they can get anxious and that’s not productive,” says Kaya. “Consider how many times it will fit into your daily routine. How many times is your child looking ready for play?”

If you can manage, she says that making time for tummy time “at some point every day would be ideal,” but assures that it’s okay to do it “wherever and whenever you and your baby feel comfortable”.

“Go for it whenever you have the opportunity and your baby is in a really happy state,” Kaya says. “And be confident. Your baby will regulate off how you are feeling. If you are stressed and anxious, she might feel that way, too.”

Remember that tummy time can be fatiguing and requires energy to begin with, so doing it just before a sleep mightn’t be the best time, as bub might not be up to it. Try when your child is alert and fully active, ready for playtime.

Why does my baby cry on her tummy?
Because babies are put to sleep on their backs these days, most get a shock to find themselves suddenly on their tummies and may cry in protest.

“If your baby cries, ask yourself, ‘Why is she upset? Is it the wrong time of day? Is she comfortable?’ If all seems well, perhaps try having tummy time in shorter bursts,” advises Kaya. “Alternatively, try putting bub on your tummy, over your lap or on a pillow. Other surfaces are just as good as the floor – it’s all about finding the right fit for your child. If you place your baby skin to skin on your tummy, she can use your breathing to calm down.”

Also, if your child has reflux, don’t pop her on her stomach just after feeding – the pressure this will put on her full stomach can lead to vomiting. If your little one does have a reflux issue, you can make tummy time easier by holding her up in the air like a little aeroplane. If your child does vomit during tummy time, however you have it, Kaya says to stop, make sure her airways are clear, and start again.

And if bub gets upset with being put on her belly? “Most kids enjoy tummy time if you persist, but if yours is still crying for extended periods of time, it’s a good idea to seek advice from an occupational therapist or physiotherapist,” Kaya advises.

Some mums find babies cope better with tummy time with a small towel placed under their armpits, and this is fine, Kaya says. “But remember that your child will not be using her muscles as much this way. Use the towel at first, then remove it when your baby is a bit stronger. Or you could try placing her longways
on a firm pillow.”

What to do if your baby hates tummy time
It’s important to persevere with tummy time, even if your baby doesn’t take to it straight away. “Different children reach milestones at different stages,” Kaya notes. “Some children will simply end up ‘finding’ their tummy at a later stage.”

If you are struggling to make tummy time happen, try putting your baby on her front just before or after her bath and giving her a little massage to help her relax. Most babies, when they get used to being on their tummy and improve their strength and awareness, prefer tummy time to being on their backs. Remember: it’s supposed to be a special time, so don’t make it a chore.

How to make tummy time fun
1. Get down low on the floor with your baby and play peekaboo or make funny faces so she has something to hold her interest.
2. Place your baby in front of a mirror so she can see her captivating reflection.
3. Put some favoured toys or a board book in front of your bub for her to reach for.
4. Place bubba where she can see an older sibling or family member by lifting her head.
5. If your child seems the ‘active’ type, she may like being placed on an exercise ball – but be sure to hold her firmly in place!

As a side note, placing a baby in front of TV isn’t a great idea. If she cranes to see the screen, she may extend her neck too much. Other surfaces are just as good as the floor… if you place your baby skin to skin on your tummy, she can use your breathing to calm down.