As a new mom or parent, you may be wondering how much tummy time your baby needs and why it's so important for their development. Tummy time may seem like a small task, but don't underestimate its benefits! It not only helps your baby build strength and develop motor skills, but it also improves their overall well-being. In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into why tummy time is crucial for your little one's growth and development.

 

  1. Builds Strength and Motor Skills

When your baby is on their tummy, they're forced to push up with their arms, helping to strengthen their neck and upper body muscles. This is important for lifting and holding their head up, crawling, and eventually walking. Tummy time also helps in building motor skills such as hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

 

  1. Helps Develop Cognition and Sensory Perception

During tummy time, your baby will have new sights and sounds to explore, leading to cognitive development. They'll also have a different perspective of the world around them, which helps with their sensory perception.

 

  1. Prevents Flat Head Syndrome

Sounds funny, but yes, that’s a thing. Babies spend a lot of time on their back, which can lead to flat head syndrome. However, tummy time can help prevent this by alternating the pressure on their head.

 

  1. Improves Digestion

Tummy time can help improve digestion and relieve discomfort caused by gas and constipation. When your baby is on their tummy, it puts gentle pressure on their belly, helping to move things along in their digestive system.

 

  1. Boosts Overall Well-being 

Tummy time also has psychological benefits for both you and your baby. It's an opportunity for you to bond and interact with your little one, and it helps your baby feel more secure and comfortable in different positions.

 

It's recommended that babies have at least 30-60 minutes of tummy time per day, starting as early as possible. The time can be broken up into smaller windows, obviously, as it would be too taxing for a new baby to try tummy time for so long in one sitting.

Don't worry if your baby fusses or doesn't enjoy tummy time at first – try incorporating it into your daily routine gradually. You can start by laying your baby on their tummy for a few minutes at a time and gradually increasing the duration. Remember, tummy time is an essential part of your baby's development, and it's never too early to start. So, let's get our babies on their tummies and watch them grow and thrive!