whats 'tummy time'?

[spillyobeans]

Im 35 weeks pregnant and just having a browse on here, and read a thread about tummy time - what is it and why should i be doing it? What other things should i be doing early on to help with development?

[GlitzAndGigglesx]

It's placing baby on their tummy for short periods of time throughout the day to encourage them to lift their heads alone and helps their positioning for when they eventually start crawling. My dd absolutely hated it though!

[spillyobeans]

Ah i see, no ones ever mentioned it to me lol

[Hobby2014]

Not just being on tummy though. Anything where they aren't flat on their back. So on tummy playing or in a sling or carrier, holding baby on your lap and playing etc.
I think it's to stop people just leaving their baby lying on there back all day.
Don't worry too much though. My DS hated lying on his front so we hardly did that.

[Turquoiseblue]

It is actually about putting them on their tummy - it s important for shoulder muscles neck muscles and even core stability later on in life.
Supported upright like slings etc don't give the same weight bearing.

[Hobby2014]

I've been told otherwise turquoise.
And looking at boots website it says similar to what I've been told.
'Ideas to encourage tummy time
Some babies don't seem to like spending time on their fronts so get down on the floor with them, face them, chat and make funny faces to make it more entertaining.
If your small baby isn't that keen how about carrying them in a good supportive sling. Sarah says: "Make sure the sling faces into your body, at all times and never faces outwards. Carrying a baby in this manner is much like 'tummy time' but usually they are a lot happier!"'

[Hobby2014]

link

[spillyobeans]

Makes more sense now

[SycamoreMum]

My daughter was a micro preemie and during her Physio therapy sessions in hospital (when she was 2 months) her Physio said thep
same thing Turquoise said.

It paid off though because my daughter was lifting her head, crawling and walking at the same age as her baby peers and she should have been delayed.

Not all babies enjoy it though but its nice to try them with it every so often.

[Lndnmummy]

Not all babies can do tummy time (ds couldnt due to severe reflux) but you can still encourage them with other activities like Hobby says above.

[Turquoiseblue]

This link and video explain it nicely - tummy time is different for different stages and abilities here
You do need to modify it for babies with refukx but the OP was asking about a baby that hasn't been born yet so just for an explanation.

[Turquoiseblue]

*reflux

[colleysmill]

If you Google the CSP (chartered society of physiotherapy) they have some nice leaflets and posters about tummy time.

It's often assummed tummy time = on the floor but some babies just can't tolerate that and there are lots of other ways to encourage time on their tummy. Sometimes it's easier to incorporate the way you hold baby through out the day rather than a set tummy time.

Fwiw ds1 loved being on the floor on his front, ds2 wasn't as keen but loved being on his front on me with a slight incline (suffered with terrible reflux)