Our babies spend a lot of time on their backs.  Between sleeping and sitting in carseats, strollers, swings and bouncy seats pretty much most of their day is spent lying on their backs.  Because they spend so much time on their backs it is vitally important to make sure your baby gets plenty of tummy time every day.  The current recommendation is for at least 30 minutes of tummy time everyday.  You can do it all at once or break it down into smaller chunks throughout the day, it doesn’t matter, as long as your child is getting at least 30 minutes total.

Tummy time is so important because it us while lying on his or her stomach that your child will begin building their core muscles, neck muscles and arm and shoulder strength.  Plus by spending at least part of everyday on their stomach helps prevent issues caused by spending too much time lying on their backs, such as plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome.

Some babies will love playing on their tummy and may even prefer it to being on their backs.  However, some babies will just not take to it and you may have to work at it a bit or a use a few tricks to get some tummy time in without your baby feeling like their are being forced to be on their stomach. My daughter hated tummy time for the first 2-3 months.  She was great at it, and was actually quite strong, but she just didn’t enjoy it at first.  We had to keep working with her and eventually she came around.

Here are a few things you can do to help build tummy time into your routine throughout the day.

• Alternate between back and tummy for play time.  Activity mats or blankets laid out on the floor are great for both back play and tummy time.
• While you are laying on the bed or the couch place your baby on their tummy on your chest facing you.  Sing, talk to them, or play silly games to keep them interested in staying on their tummy.
• If your baby is fussy because of gassiness place him or her on their tummy over your knees.  It will help work the gas bubbles out and will give them a bit of tummy time all at once.
• If your baby is fussy about tummy time get down on their level with them.  Lay the baby on a blanket on the floor and lay down on your tummy facing them.  Sing, talk, read a book, play silly games or encourage them with different toys.  Having you right there will help make tummy time not seem so bad.

If you aren’t sure if your baby is getting enough tummy time or if your baby seems to lack strength in their upper body from a lack of tummy time be sure to talk to your child’s doctor.