7 Benefits of Tummy Time for Your Baby's Development

As a parent, we know you're constantly seeking ways to ensure your baby's healthy growth and development. Tummy time, recommended to start soon after birth, is one way to facilitate just that! This simple activity, which includes babies lying on their stomachs (while awake and supervised), offers many benefits that contribute to their overall well-being.

In this blog post, we'll cover the numerous advantages of incorporating tummy time into your baby's daily routine.

Strengthens Core Muscles

Tummy time is a fantastic way to strengthen your baby's neck, back, and shoulder muscles. The act of lifting their head and pushing up from their arms during tummy time helps build the foundation for essential motor skills. These strengthened muscles lay the groundwork for crawling, sitting, and eventually standing.

Promotes Motor Skill Development

Engaging in tummy time allows babies to explore and practice various motor skills. As they lift their heads, reach for toys, and eventually begin to push up on their arms, they are honing their gross motor skills. These skills are crucial for later developmental milestones like rolling over, crawling, and eventually walking.

Prevents Flat Head Syndrome

Lying babies on their back, or placing them in “containers” too often, can lead to Flat Head Syndrome. Containers are devices that limit the movement of a baby, like swings, bouncers, car seats, etc.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends supervised tummy time to help reduce the risk of this, as the pressure on the back of the baby's head is alleviated during tummy time, promoting a more rounded shape.

Enhances Sensory and Visual Development

Tummy time provides babies with a different perspective of their surroundings. As they lift their heads, they engage with their environment in a new way, stimulating their visual and sensory experiences. This helps in the development of depth perception and hand-eye coordination.

Likewise, you may extend your baby’s tummy time by offering them visually stimulating objects such as toys, a mirror, or high contrast books!

Aids in Digestion

Tummy time can also assist in relieving gas and preventing discomfort associated with colic. The gentle pressure on the baby's tummy can aid in the digestion process, promoting a happier and more content baby.

Encourages Social Interaction

Tummy time is an excellent opportunity for bonding and social interaction between parents and their babies. Get down on the floor with your little one to talk and play as they work on their skills. This interaction strengthens your emotional connection, supports their language development, and makes tummy time a positive experience for all involved.

Facilitates Cognitive Development

As babies engage with their environment during tummy time, they are also developing cognitive skills. Their ability to explore textures, colors, and shapes helps stimulate their brains, laying the foundation for future learning and problem-solving abilities.

Incorporating tummy time into your baby's daily routine is a simple way to support their overall development. Remember to start tummy time gradually, and increase time as they become more comfortable! Please always supervise your baby to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Embrace this precious bonding opportunity, knowing that you are contributing to your baby's health and well-being in more ways than one!

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