Optimal Tummy Time Guide
Rachel Heidling, OTR/L — June 22nd, 2024
Tummy time is more than just strengthening… it is a very important play position. Tummy time sets the foundation for all future development.
Tummy Time Benefits:
Tolerating tummy time well means a baby is firing primitive reflexes, strengthening shoulder girdle, strengthening hand muscles needed for fine motor development, and building strength in the neck, core, and back - all essential for rolling, sitting, crawling and standing!
How long should each tummy time session last?
Tummy time is not something your baby should be suffering through so that you can tick a box saying your baby spent X amount of time in this position. As they show discomfort, roll them out, and try again later. Consistent short exposures will increase their tummy time tolerance. Follow their lead and build up time as they build strength!
But seems like my babe is just “lazy”…
Many parents think their little is “lazy” and unmotivated when in fact they are having a hard time with tummy time. Babies are hard-wired to move! So littles who aren’t showing much interest in movement or who are unable to tolerate tummy time are simply communicating, “This is hard!” There is always a reason. And whether that reason is tension, reflux, weakness, or something else, Rachel helps parents get to the root cause of tummy time troubles and then work through it.
Starter Tips?
Start early! Once you and baby are home, you can begin to build to work on tummy time tolerance. The gold standard is to start tummy time on the caregiver’s chest for the first 2 weeks. This helps you become attuned to your baby’s hunger cues, fosters bonding, and this is a modified tummy time position, which minimizes the effects of gravity, making tummy time easier. But it’s all so new, so practice, practice, practice! Give your little many opportunities for tummy time and floor play by making it part of your daily routine. This ensures your little is building their tolerance of the play position and gaining the benefits from it. Building opportunities into your routine may look like taking a few minutes after each diaper change to hang out on their tummy while on the changing table.
Surprising Benefits of Tummy Time at Every Age
Tummy Time continues to be beneficial throughout the lifespan. While it's widely known that Tummy Time directly benefits baby, the impact of prone extension (think a push-up position or the cobra pose in yoga) is often overlooked for adults. However, it’s equally crucial for reversing the effects of our sedentary, forward-hunched lifestyle by strengthening the posterior chain, relieving chronic back pain, and restoring proper posture and functional movement patterns. Read More about why you too should try to squeeze in some tummy time today.
Red Flags:
Unable to lift head to 45 degrees by 2 months
Unable to hold head upright and keep centered by 2 months
Unable to lay head down or relax at all while doing tummy time
Consistently rolling out of tummy time prior to 3 months
Unable to hold weight on forearms/prop up on elbows by 3 months
Unable to push up through extended arms and open palms by 5 months
Strong head turn preference or head flattening (or a diagnosis of torticollis/plagiocephaly)
Is Tummy Time a Daily Struggle?
If your baby shows signs of tummy time distress or isn't meeting the developmental milestones mentioned above, there's likely an underlying reason that can be addressed with the right approach. Rachel, our specialized pediatric occupational therapist, has helped numerous families transform tummy time from a tearful battle into a joyful developmental opportunity.
What Parents Can Expect: During a 1:1 virtual "Troubleshoot Tummy Time" Consultation, Rachel will assess your baby's unique patterns, identify potential barriers to success, and create a customized plan with techniques tailored to your baby's needs. Parents often report seeing immediate improvements in their baby's comfort and engagement during tummy time after implementing Rachel's personalized strategies.
Ready to make tummy time work for your family? Book your FREE 15-minute call with Rachel today. This no-obligation conversation will help determine if a virtual consultation is right for your baby's developmental needs.
Early intervention leads to faster progress and prevents compensatory patterns from forming. Don't wait until small challenges become bigger problems - address tummy time issues now while they're easiest to resolve!
