Prevention tips
1) Promote Daily Supervised Tummy Time
Tummy Time is essential for developing the muscles Baby needs to reach motor milestones, including rolling, sitting, and crawling. Starting Tummy Time shortly after birth and continuing it regularly throughout the first year supports healthy growth and development.
Baby Tummy Time Benefits
Engaging Baby in Tummy Time offers many developmental benefits, such as:
Muscle Development: Strengthens the neck, shoulder, back, and core muscles, preparing Baby for Tummy Time milestones such as tilting their head
to both sides, rolling over and sitting up.
Prevention of Positional Conditions: Reduces the risk of positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) and positional torticollis (tight neck muscles), conditions that can be caused by too much time spent lying on the back.
Sensory and Visual Development: Encourages sensory exploration and enhances visual tracking skills as Baby learns to move their head and observe
their environment.
How to Do Tummy Time
Here are some ways to integrate Tummy Time into Baby’s routine:
Start Early: Introduce Tummy Time as soon as Baby comes home from the hospital, beginning with short sessions of 2-5 minutes, a few times daily. Gradually work up to at least 15-30 minutes of Tummy Time per day by 2 months old.
Create a Safe Environment: Lay Baby on a clean, firm surface, such as a blanket on the floor. Always supervise Baby during Tummy Time to ensure safety.
Engage and Encourage: Interact with Baby by talking, singing, or placing toys within reach to make Tummy Time enjoyable and stimulating.
Having Tummy Time Trouble? This Therapist Has Some Tips
Tips for Shoulder Carry:
Lean baby forward on a slant so weight is on tummy.
Hold under baby’s bottom.
Make sure baby’s bottom isn’t tucked under.
Tips for Leaning Back:
Rock baby side to side & keep them moving
Take baby out of the position before they get too mad
Talk in a positive and upbeat voice (repeating is okay!)
Tips for Switching Sides:
Move baby from one arm to the other
Rock baby side to side and keep them moving
Talk in a positive and upbeat voice (repeating is okay!)
Ease into the move slowly so baby can adjust to the position
Tips for Moving to Football Hold:
Ease into the move slowly so baby can adjust to the position
Place your arm between baby’s legs for stability
Rock baby side to side and keep them moving
Take baby out of the position before they get too mad
Tips for Baby on Ground:
Rock baby’s hips slowly; it’s their choice to move onto tummy
Take baby out of the position before they get mad
Don’t let baby feel “stuck” in a position
Tips for Any Tummy Time Position:
Moving Baby:
Ease into new positions slowly
Rock baby side to side
Keep baby moving so they don’t feel “stuck”
Holding Baby:
Move baby from one arm to the other so they can do Tummy Time on each side
Place your arm between baby’s legs for stability
Talking to Baby:
Talk in a positive and upbeat voice
Repeating yourself is okay!