Tummy time, also known as tummy time, is an essential activity in the early development of babies. This moment not only strengthens your body, but also promotes motor and cognitive skills essential for your growth. If you are wondering what exactly is tummy time and why you should incorporate it into your baby's daily routine, in this article we explain it to you in detail.
What is the Tummy Time?
The tummy time is the time the baby spends awake and on his or her tummy while under supervision. This time helps baby develop strength in the neck, shoulders, and upper body, which are critical for reaching developmental milestones such as sitting, crawling, and walking.
Benefits of Tummy Time
Incorporate the tummy time in your baby's daily routine brings numerous benefits for his health and development. Below, we highlight the most important ones:
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Muscle strengthening: During tummy time, baby exercises the muscles of the neck, arms, shoulders and back. This is crucial to achieve adequate motor development.
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Prevention of plagiocephaly: Spending a lot of time lying on the back can cause deformations in the baby's skull, known as positional plagiocephaly. The tummy time helps reduce this risk by distributing head pressure in different positions.
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Motor skill development: Tummy time encourages coordination and balance, skills necessary for future stages such as crawling and walking.
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Sensory stimulation: By being on his tummy, baby explores his environment from a different perspective, which stimulates his senses and encourages learning.
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Preparation for crawling: Spending time in this position helps your baby develop the strength and confidence needed to begin crawling.
How to start with Tummy Time?
Although he tummy time Importantly, it can also be challenging for some babies at first. Here are some tips to get you started:
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Start from day one: You can start with short sessions of one or two minutes a day from birth, gradually increasing the duration as the baby gets used to it.
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make it fun: Place colorful toys or a mirror in front of your baby to capture his attention and encourage him to stay on his tummy.
- Use a clean, cushioned surface: You can use a bidi or play blanket for this moment. Remember that you can put your bidi in the washing machine to keep that surface clean. If you need to, you can use the bidi on a home rug.
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use your body: If your baby doesn't feel comfortable on the floor, try placing him or her on your chest while you're reclining. This will offer you a comfortable and safe position.
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Constant supervision: Never leave your baby unattended during tummy time. Stay close for support and security.
Recommended frequency of Tummy Time
According to pediatricians and child development experts, it is recommended that babies spend at least 20-30 minutes a day on their tummy to get the full benefits of tummy time. tummy time. This amount can be divided into several shorter sessions throughout the day, especially if your baby is small or not used to this practice.
What to do if the baby doesn't like the Tummy Time?
It is common for some babies to feel uncomfortable at first, but with patience and consistency, most end up enjoying it. Here we leave you some tips:
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Perform short sessions and gradually increase the time.
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Introduce songs or interactive games while tummy time.
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Get down on his level to maintain eye contact and encourage him.
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Remember that the key is persistence: even a few minutes a day can make a difference.
Conclusion
The tummy time It is an essential practice for the healthy development of your baby. Not only does it strengthen your muscles and prevent health problems, it also prepares you to reach important developmental milestones. By incorporating this activity into your daily routine, you will be helping your little one grow strong, healthy and happy.
At Bidi Baby, we understand the importance of each stage of child development. For this reason, we offer you bidis or play blankets that are 100% cotton and padded to facilitate tummy time and make every moment with your baby special. Discover more in our online store!