| |
Tummy Time For Baby
It's Essential!
Tummy time for baby is a very important process, experts have discovered that when a baby spends time lying on their tummy, they can reach various milestones sooner than babies who don't.
Rolling over, crawling, pulling themselves up and walking are all said to be aided by a certain amount of tummy play everyday.It also helps with co-ordination, and helps baby to gain independence by encouraging them to explore what's around them.Ok just one thing to remember, your baby should still be placed on her back to sleep, as this reduces the possibility of sudden infant death syndrome, never place your baby on her tummy to sleep. Ok so lets look at some tummy time for baby. You can start this from birth, but most parents start this when their baby is around two months of age (personally, I would start a little earlier) Lie her gently on her tummy, either or the floor, or a sturdy sofa, you can even lie on your back and place your baby tummy down on your tummy (this is a nice way to introduce her to tummy play as she can still see Mummy!) If she cries, then try again a little later on, but do keep trying it with her, if she gets used to the idea that "each time I cry, Mummy will place me back on my back" then you will never get her to agree to a little baby tummy time! Tummy time for baby should be done once or twice a day for around ten to twenty minutes. Joe and Lauren used to love tummy play once they had gotten used it. It's a good idea for Mum to get down there too, you could play with your baby, if you're down there with her she will get used to tummy time quicker then if she's down there on her own. It could be a good time for Mummy to do a few post natal stretching excerises (nothing that's going to endanger baby though, don't go swinging your legs around your neck or anything like that!)
Tummy time activity
You could play peek-a-boo, look at a book with her, sing her some nursery rhymes, cuddle a teddy, you could even hold a mirror for her and see how she reacts. Tummy time for baby will get alot more enjoyable as she gets older. As she learns to lift her head she will be able to take in her surroundings, she will learn to reach out and grab at things (so do be careful there's nothing in the way that she can pull onto herself, electrical wires, table legs and so on)Colourful play mats will encourage baby to spend time on her tummy, there are some wonderful play mats out there with soft silky or furry fabrics. Play mats can come with a gym that attaches to the edges and hangs over the top of the mat. You could start baby on her back looking at the items hanging overhead and after a while turn her to her tummy to explore the mat. Some babies will love tummy play and others will hate it, but please remember the importance of tummy time and help your baby get used to this exercise. Return from
Tummy time for baby to baby play
or
New baby and beyond homepage
|
