Tummy Time Is a Therapeutic Intervention
It is NOT an occasional playtime activity reserved only for babies who like it. All babies benefit from awake time in the belly-down position. Tummy Time helps babies develop their cervical and lumbar spinal extension curves. It helps babies who have soft tissue restrictions or tension, torticollis, plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and oral motor issues. It promotes social engagement.
It is the essential antidote for the for the potential developmental delays associated with the effects of supine sleeping and too much time spent in car seats (any time that’s not a car ride), baby swings, bouncy seats, jumperoos, bumbo seats, rock ‘n play seats, mamaroo seats, supine baby activity centers, strollers, etc.
Babies who never spend time in the prone position will never crawl before walking. Crawling on hands and knees in a cross pattern before walking is essential for normal brain and body development.
During the first three weeks of life babies may do tummy time on the parent or caregiver’s chest or lap. After that, it should be on a surface.
