The Importance of Tummy Time
Marin Mommies.com is happy to present another guest article by baby sleep expert Marsha Podd, RN, CLE.
Did you know that most babies under 6 months rarely have enough time on their tummy? Since the SIDS foundation has been recommending all parents put baby down to sleep on its back, tummy time has diminished.
Recently, the SIDS foundation issued a new recommendation--more tummy time! Why? Because a young infant needs to develop good strength in lifting its head, and pushing up with its arms. A baby is at greater risk to die from suffocation or SIDS if it is without good strength and control of the head and upper body.
When baby learns to roll over from back to tummy, it is important for him to have strength. If strong, he will easily be able to lift his head and breathe and move. A strong baby is a safe sleeper.
Think about how much time you are holding your baby and putting him down on his back. Most babies are deprived of the important opportunity to stretch their spine and lift their head while positioned on their tummy. Yet, the importance of tummy time has been well documented.
Delays in development and poor visual strength can result from weak muscles (or lack of tummy time.)
Help your baby become stronger. Here are some tips:
- Get down on the floor on your tummy too!
- Encourage him, play with him, and tap tunes on the floor in front of him, as if beating a drum.
- Put a mirror on the floor in front of baby’s face.
- Roll up a towel and put it under your baby’s chest to elevate him about 6” off the ground, a more comfortable position.
- When holding your baby while standing, hold him so he is facing the floor, instead of facing upward.
- Lie down on the bed and put baby tummy to tummy with you for funny faces, peek-a-boo, giggles and smiles.
- Place a musical, moving toy or shake a rattle in front of baby while baby stretches across your lap on his tummy.
- Place baby tummy down on a big Pilates ball and roll gently in circles while holding baby tightly.
- Place baby on the changing table on his tummy and do a diaper change backwards!
Remember, never leave baby unattended during tummy time!
Babies should have hours a day of tummy time, not just minutes. Begin by trying for 5–10 minutes at least 3–4 times during the day and add a minute every few days. Push your baby beyond his first fuss. Encourage him to stay a little longer. Pretty soon, he will endure more and more time on his tummy and become stronger and stronger!
Contact Marsha Podd RN, CLE. at Gotosleepbaby.com or at (415) 883-4442 for more information.
Marsha Podd, RN, CLE is a “baby sleep wizard” who teaches parents how to get their children into good rhythms so sleep patterns can be healthfully established in the early months of life. She also works with parents with children under age 5 to create calmer bedtime routines and consistent sleep rhythms. Marsha is an OB/GYN nurse and certified lactation specialist and with a degree in Child Development, with over 20 years experience working with parents and young children.
She is the author of numerous articles for "Parenting Passages" as well as other journals, and has been written about in the Wall Street Journal, Variety, and other publications across the United States. She offers phone consultations with parents all across the United States and Canada, and in Marin she offers in-home classes and consultations.
