Why Bother with Tummy Time (+ 6 Tips to Make it Fun Again)

Sleep is a big challenge for parents of newborns⏤I know it was for me! 

But it’s even more stressful when you're worried about your baby developing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Back in 1994, the American Academy of Pediatrics launched a campaign to lower the number of infant deaths by encouraging parents to keep babies on their backs more. And the campaign worked because SIDS has dropped by almost 50% in North America since then, which is amazing!

However, there are always two sides to every coin.

With the decline in SIDS came the incline of another newborn risk: Plagiocephaly, or “misshapen head,” which is the flattening of the back of a baby’s head when they spend too much time on their back. This can result in positional torticollis, which are tight muscles on one side of the neck. 

In addition to these significant medical conditions, pediatricians worry that not enough tummy time can result in significant motor delays (like rolling over, sitting up, crawling and walking), impact brain development and impede the development of a strong neck and arms (affecting both balance and coordination).

But there’s hope to avoid all this! Pediatricians now encourage parents to put babies on their tummies (supervised, of course) for short periods of time. You can start tummy time within the first week of bringing your baby home. When he or she is awake, place your baby on their tummy two to three times daily, starting with 1-2 minutes and increasing as they get older.

But as you may have guessed, babies don’t like to be on their stomachs, often crying or fussing when put in this position. Out of frustration, some parents tend to give up and rely on baby equipment like swings and bounce chairs. While they know tummy time is necessary, parents often aren’t taught how to make it enjoyable.

So, here are six tried-and-true tips from one parent to another to make tummy time fun and beneficial:

1. Tummy Time Together

An easy way to start off is to participate in tummy time together. Lie on your back and hold your baby on either your stomach or chest so you both face each other. This will help your child feel safe and comfortable with a new position. It’s also a great way to bond with your baby.

2. Soothe Your Baby

When your child is less-than-happy with life, sit down and place them on their tummy over your lap. Use one hand to hold them safely while the other hand gently pats or massages their back. This is also a great position to burp your baby in. As your child grows, it's important to teach them self-regulation, especially for moments of stress and high emotion.

3. Designate A Spot

Find a safe, quiet, comfortable place in your house and designate it for tummy time. Put down a soft blanket and ensure there’s nothing dangerous nearby. Keeping this place accessible will make tummy time an easier part of your daily routine and will help your baby get comfortable as time goes on.

4. Get Down On Their Level

Don’t underestimate the power of eye contact! Your child loves seeing you, so give them an opportunity to explore tummy time together by also laying on your stomach in front of them. If you have older children, this is also a great way for them to bond with their new, younger sibling. 

5. Make It Fun

At the end of the day, children of all ages want to play. This is the perfect opportunity to further your child’s development by reading aloud, singing or playing with them. If your baby is old enough, introduce toys to play with, like rattles, interactive play mats, mirrors, dolls or stuffed animals. Check out my baby-approved tummy time toys here!

6. Don’t Get Discouraged

Like I said, babies often don't love spending time on their stomachs and they aren't afraid to show it⏤but don’t worry! Here are some ways to work through these potential challenges together:

• If your child seems uncomfortable on their tummy, give them extra support. Roll up small towels or blankets to prop up their chest, bearing in mind it doesn’t restrict their breathing. 
• If your child appears stressed laying on their tummy, gently massage their back with baby-safe lotion or oil to calm them. 
• If your child hates tummy time altogether, take a break. You can shorten the time or skip it for a day or two. Being a parent is overwhelming enough without forcing your baby to do something it doesn't want to do.

Tummy time is an integral part of growing up and key to healthy child development. It might seem difficult now, but I promise your baby will learn to love tummy time⏤and so will you! And if you're looking for more support, I love the mini course from Lovevery that you can find here.

And for extra support, join my private Facebook group where I share free resources and connect with my community on a daily basis. Meet like-minded parents, learn more about your child's development and have all your burning questions answered right inside the group. I'll see you there!