Infants take a variety of reactions to being placed face-downwardly on the floor. Until they develop the muscles necessary to lift their heads from an awkward face-constitute position, many babies hate tummy time (and squall indignantly to allow you know information technology!). Others seem to dearest the view. And yet others are indifferent, cooing happily no matter which end is upwards.

Whatever your baby's reaction, tummy time helps your baby develop motor skills that eventually lead to crawling. Here's what tummy time is, how to do it and tips to encourage information technology if your little 1 prefers to remain belly-upwards.

What is stomach fourth dimension?

Stomach time is placing your infant on his stomach to play. Practicing tummy time helps babies develop the muscles necessary to lift their heads and, eventually, to sit upward, clamber and walk. Retrieve, "dorsum to slumber, tummy to play": Your baby should e'er be awake during tummy fourth dimension and under your conscientious sentry.

When should I start tummy time?

The American University of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies brainstorm tum fourth dimension the very 24-hour interval they come up dwelling from the hospital.

All About Tummy Fourth dimension

How long should my infant do tummy fourth dimension each day?

Encourage your baby to piece of work his manner upwards to virtually xv minutes full on his tum every day (or two to iii sessions a day lasting three to v minutes each), always nether your watchful eye. As your babe gets older, you can get out him on his abdomen for longer stretches, since older babies need more time on their tummies to build strength.

How to practice tummy time

  • The platonic time to practice tummy fourth dimension is afterwards your babe wakes upwardly from a nap or post-obit a diaper change.
  • Clear a modest area of the floor. Place your infant on his breadbasket on a playmat or clean towel.
  • Surround your baby with a few favorite toys.
  • Try to proceed your infant abdomen-down for three to five minutes, two to three times a day.
  • As your baby begins enjoying tummy fourth dimension, work up to longer and more frequent sessions throughout the twenty-four hours.
  • Neverput your baby to sleep on his stomach. Sleeping in the decumbent position is a significant adventure factor for sudden baby death syndrome (SIDS).

Concerned about your baby developing a flat head from sleeping on his back? Endeavor not to worry: Most flat spots round out equally babies grow older. In addition to stomach fourth dimension, you can also vary up your infant'south sleep management (place him in his crib with his feet facing ane direction i week and the opposite direction the side by side week). And avoid too much time in bouncers, swings, car seats and carriers, which put boosted pressure on the back of baby'due south head.

Ways to heave tum fourth dimension

  • Get down on the floorwith your baby, contiguous or side-by-side. Chat him up and offer upwards a special toy for entertainment.
  • Place an unbreakable mirrorin forepart of your baby so he can run across his ain fascinating face. Vary the position, from in front of your baby to either side.
  • Tempt your babywith enticing toys. Spread them effectually your little one in a circumvolve so he'll exist tempted to reach for them, which helps develop all of the different muscles necessary to eventually sit up, crawl and walk.
  • Prop him upby placing a nursing pillow (or other house cushion) under his chest and arms if he initially protests tummy time.  Then endeavor to wean him off of using these props.
  • Place your babe on your own tummywhile you lie on your back (sentinel out for drool!). Or raise him overhead as you lie down in a modified baby "bench printing." Don't forget the featherbrained noises and kisses!

What are the benefits of tummy fourth dimension and why is it so important?

Spending awake time abdomen-down offers lots of benefits for your little one. Tummy time:

  • Helps prevent flat spots from forming on the back of baby'due south caput.
  • Allows your baby to piece of work different muscles than those he'd use on his back. By practicing his push-ups, your babe volition develop the muscles in his arms, shoulders, upper back and neck that will eventually enable him to lift his head.
  • Sets the stage for motor skills like reaching, rolling over, sitting up and itch.

What can I practice if my baby hates tummy fourth dimension?

Lots of babies hate stomach time at outset, but near begin to tolerate and sometimes fifty-fifty enjoy it every bit they build the muscles required to lift their heads. In the meantime, make breadbasket time less torturous by:

  • Trying several shorter stints a day. Aim for just 1 to 2 minutes at a time at showtime. With practice, your baby volition work upwards to longer belly sessions.
  • Switching up the locations. A alter in scenery is sometimes enough to continue stomach time tolerable.
  • Massaging his anxiety. If your baby enjoys it, a infant massage can encourage tummy time.
  • Inviting an older sib to join. Your infant might be feeling the pressure from you — plus a fresh face can make stomach time more interesting. Kids tin can get down on the floor more than easily than adults, and they have more zippo in their play when your baby needs an energy boost. Just be sure to keep a close watch on both kids.

Stomach time prepares your babe for the heady developmental stages to come. By three months, near babies tin can lift their heads 45 degrees (leaning on their forearms); a month later, they can go to 90 degrees (pushing up on their easily). And around nine months, many babies begin crawling (although some begin earlier and others never crawl at all — and that's perfectly normal). And then keep your eye on the prize and log that tummy fourth dimension now!