The Importance of Tummy Time
Tummy time is one of the activities that can help in the overall development of the baby. Most parents are not sure about the age to start tummy time. Fortunately, we are here to answer all the relevant questions about tummy time. All moms and dads can follow this guide and make the most of tummy time, but first things first:
What Does Tummy Time Entail?
Before getting into the details of the age to start tummy time, it is essential to understand what it is. This is simply an act of placing the baby on the floor on their belly. By so doing, the baby is encouraged to spend some time on their stomach. The main objective is to enhance motor skills and upper-body strength. You can enjoy many activities with your baby during tummy time, including songs, stories, and play with toys, among others.
In the first few weeks of a newborn’s life, they will spend time on their back or being swaddled. Therefore, tummy time is recommended to help them develop the necessary strength and muscles in their upper body. During tummy time, you should ensure that the baby remain awake as this is the only way for tummy time to serve its intended purpose.
When Should You Start Tummy Time?
Most parents agree that children are different and will achieve milestones at varying stages. When it comes to the age to start tummy time, there is no single answer to this, but there are general guidelines that you can observe. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting tummy time from day one.
The main thing to note is that tummy time may take some practice, and it needs to be done in intervals of short sessions. In the first few days, you should have the baby on their belly for about a minute or two. As they keep growing, you can move this to about 5 minutes per session. Starting at an early age makes it easier for your baby to adapt pretty quickly.
By the time your baby is getting to three-months, they should be able to last for about 60 minutes on their bellies. The best time to practice tummy time is right after a diaper change, a bath, or when the baby wakes up. Instead of just placing the baby on the floor and leaving them to lie down on their tummy, you should make it enjoyable. If both parents can be involved, it will be quite exciting for the baby. Now that you have an idea of the age to start tummy time, you need to keep working at it until the baby becomes strong enough to support its head.
Enjoy These Moments
Rather than getting obsessed with the age to start tummy time, you need to remember that it is a process. Babies are different, same as parents, and most parenting activities will be unique to your home. The purpose is to enjoy these sweet moments.
