The Importance of Tummy Time

Tummy Time! You can do it Jaela, lift your head some more!

Supported  tummy time using log pillow.

Tummy time is very important in a baby's development. It is the position where you place baby on their tummy.It can begin as soon as after birth however, my personal opinion is to start when belly button is fully healed..However due to SIDS,babies nowadays rarely been given this opportunity to be on their tummy.

Tummy time must be supervised and should be encouraged. It must be done only when the baby is awake and during play.Babies tolerance to it should be increased. With my baby Jaela, we started tummy time when she was a month old, Right after birth,she had infection on her belly button requiring hospitalization thus delaying tummy time.

Tummy time encourages the baby to lift his head,push up on his arms as well as lift up upper back thus strengthening the muscles on these areas.These skills are needed later on for rolling,crawling,sitting,etc.

I would initially use supported tummy time with small log pillows or towel roll place under the chest and as the baby is able to develop more strength,I would then remove the pillow.