The Importance of Tummy Time for Infants
Tummy time is essential for building strength and coordination, such as rolling, crawling, and sitting. By placing your baby on their stomach while awake and supervised, you support their growth in key areas. At Encompass Family Support Services, we recognize how important this stage is and offer Early Intervention Services to help families incorporate tummy time and other developmental activities into their daily routines.
Tummy Time Benefits: Strength, Sensory Development & More!
Builds Strength & Supports Motor Development
Tummy time helps build the muscles your baby needs. By lifting their head, babies develop neck and shoulder strength, crucial for independent movement and overall stability. This time also encourages babies to reach and push, which contributes to gross motor skill development and lays the foundation for crawling—and later, walking. The more they practice, the stronger they become. Without enough tummy time, babies may take longer to develop these vital skills.
Helps Prevent Flat Spots on the Head
Since babies spend a lot of time on their backs while sleeping, tummy time provides much-needed relief and helps prevent flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly). Changing their position throughout the day promotes healthy skull development and reduces pressure on the back of their head.
Boosts Sensory and Visual Development
Tummy time gives babies a new perspective on the world and stimulates their sensory and visual development. As they lift their heads and move their arms, they practice tracking objects with their eyes, improving focus and depth perception. This helps strengthen eye muscles and coordination, essential skills for later activities like reading and hand-eye coordination. The different textures and surfaces they experience during tummy time also enhance their sense of touch, fostering overall sensory development.
Making Tummy Time Fun For Babies
If your baby isn’t a fan of tummy time at first, start with short sessions and use engaging toys or mirrors to keep them interested. Placing them on your chest while you lie down can also help make the experience more comforting. Here are a few other ideas to help you and your baby enjoy tummy time:
Place a rolled-up towel under the baby’s arms to help prop them up slightly.
Try sessions after a diaper change or nap.
Have someone you trust to sit in front of the baby to encourage interaction and movement.
Give Your Baby a Strong Start with Tummy Time
Tummy time is a simple yet powerful way to help your baby build strength, improve coordination, and support early motor development. By making it part of your daily routine, you’re laying the foundation for essential milestones like crawling, sitting, and eventually walking.
At Encompass Family Support Services, we know that every milestone matters. If you have concerns about your baby’s motor development, our Early Intervention Services can provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your child’s needs.
Have questions about Early Intervention? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page. Have other questions, please reach out to us!
Want to track your baby’s progress? Check out our Developmental Milestone Checklists to see if your little one is on track or Request a Free Screening if you think your child is behind.
