Did you know that babies transfer weight ten thousand times during their waking hours every day? The most effective position for this is on the stomach.
You can start tummy time with your baby as soon as they come home from the hospital. On-belly playtime is essential for babies’ basic motor and sensory development and to reach milestones.
Benefits of Abdominal Time
- Helps improve head and neck control
- Strengthens the back, shoulder muscles and abdomen
- Prevents flattening of the baby’s head due to staying in a certain position
- Supports motor and sensory development
The effort he/she makes in this position will also make it easier for him/her to fall asleep. Make sure that babies spend time on their tummies under supervision during their waking hours every day. This is the baby’s first experience of movement and exercise. Start with a few minutes a few times a day until it becomes part of the baby’s daily routine.
Abdominal Playtime Activities to Strengthen Baby
Activities for Babies 0-3 Months
From birth to 3 months, focus on accustoming the baby to tummy time:
Lying on the knee: Place the baby face down on your knee while you rest or burp the baby. Put your hand on the baby’s bottom to help calm him/her down.
- Chest Rest**: Place your baby on your chest or tummy, facing you. Getting to Eye Level: Encourage eye contact by getting down to the baby’s level or placing them higher.
- Belly Down Carry: Place one hand between the baby’s legs and place your arm across the abdomen and chest.
Activities for Babies 3-6 Months
At 3 months of age, try to do a total of one hour of tummy time per day:
- Sing songs to calm and relax the baby
- Play “ce-e-boo” using the blanket or your hands
- Use rattles or other toys that make noise
- Use a mirror; babies love faces
- Do baby push-ups: Place your hands under the baby’s chest and tummy
The Importance of Abdominal Positioning in Children with Atypical Development
Just like in typically developing children, it is very important for atypically developing children to spend time on their tummies. The development of motor, sensory, emotional, cognitive and fine motor skills is also very much related to time spent on the tummy.
Benefits:
- Ability to lift the head and stay in control
- Development of eye tracking skills
- Development of hand-eye coordination
- Strengthening of the shoulder girdle
- Posture development
Important Note: The position on the abdomen can be challenging, so supports appropriate to the child’s age and developmental level should be used.
Author: Mon. Funda Sünnetcioglu
