9 Must-Try Tummy Time Activities For Infants

Kids Activities
Mother and baby playing with wooden toy in bed

Parenthood is an awe-inspiring journey, especially during the first few months of a newborn’s life. Every moment is a precious opportunity to nurture your little one’s growth and development.

Amidst the many milestones and techniques, tummy time profoundly impacts an infant’s development. Babies need it to learn, grow, and develop their various systems. After all, it’s the initial building block on which they build other motor skills.

In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about tummy time and share engaging activities to make this essential practice enjoyable and fruitful for you and your little one.

What is Tummy Time?

Assisted tummy time refers to the practice of placing infants on their stomachs while they are awake and being watched. This simple yet essential activity provides numerous benefits for babies, aiding their physical, cognitive, and motor skill development.

Engaging in tummy time helps infants strengthen neck and shoulder muscles, develop coordination, improve motor skills, and achieve important milestones.

How Much Tummy Time Does My Baby Need?

The duration of tummy time depends on your baby’s age and individual development.

  • Newborns (0-3 months): Start with 1-2 minutes a few times daily and gradually increase as your baby gets more comfortable.
  • 3-6 months: Your baby can tolerate longer periods of tummy time, so aim for 20-30 minutes throughout the day, divided into multiple sessions.
  • 6-9 months: Your baby should spend more time on their belly now. Increase tummy time to 30-60 minutes spread out over several sessions.
  • 9-12 months: As they turn a year older, they may spend more time seated or crawling. However, tummy time should still be part of their daily routine, with at least 30 minutes a day.

Who Benefits from Tummy Time?

Newborns and Infants (1-3 months old)

Tummy time is crucial for newborns as it helps strengthen their neck, shoulders, and back muscles. This activity also develops the strength necessary to lift their heads, a milestone for later motor skills like crawling, rolling over, sitting up, and walking.

Regular tummy time also helps alleviate the risk of a flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly) from developing on one side or the back of your baby’s head, which can occur when infants spend too much time lying on their backs.

Tummy time is also beneficial for newborns with torticollis, a neck condition in which the muscles are too tight, keeping the baby from turning its head.

Moreover, placing your newborn on their tummy gives them a new perspective, allowing them to observe the surroundings from a new angle.

Older Babies (4-7 months old) and Toddlers

Assisted tummy time must still be done, even if your baby can roll over and sit with guidance. It is beneficial for maintaining and further developing core muscles, which are essential for balance and stability. It is also excellent practice for lifting their head and chest, further strengthening muscles in the arms, back, and chest.

Adults

Tummy time isn’t just for infants; adults can also benefit from it. It helps stretch and strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and alleviate back pain caused by prolonged sitting or standing.

While tummy time for adults isn’t the same as traditional tummy time in infants, lying on the stomach promotes relaxation and stress relief, allowing the body to release tension and facilitate deeper breathing. 

In some therapeutic cases, tummy time helps adults recover from injuries or surgeries, particularly those affecting the spine or limbs. These exercises help rebuild strength, flexibility, and coordination.

Elderly Individuals

Tummy time helps seniors maintain mobility and flexibility, particularly in the spine and hips, which typically stiffen with age. It also prevents pressure sores for bedridden or limited-mobility people. Moreover, lying on the stomach helps aid digestion and alleviate discomfort associated with health conditions like constipation.

Tummy Time Activities for Infants

Chest-to-Chest

This tummy time activity for infants can be done as early as day one. Relax against some couch pillows so your upper body is at a 45-degree angle, and have your newborn snuggled on your chest. This tummy time position lets them look at your face, allowing you to get to know each other. Ensure the upper part of your body is at a 45-degree angle.

Belly-to-Belly

Apart from chest-to-chest bonding, you can also try belly-to-belly bonding. Lay down with your baby on their tummy to promote close physical contact and interaction. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen your bond with your little one while providing additional support and encouragement. Remember to make eye contact and smile to foster a positive and nurturing environment.

Mirror Play

Babies are naturally curious about their reflections, making mirror play an engaging tummy time activity for infants. Position a baby-safe mirror before your infant during tummy time and allow them to look at themselves. Mirror play encourages neck strengthening as they lift their heads to explore their reflection and promotes self-awareness and social development

High Contrast Cards

Use high-contrast cards or images to make tummy time for infants visually stimulating. Babies are attracted to bold patterns and colors. Place these props within their line of sight to capture their attention and encourage visual tracking. You can hold the cards up or lay them on the floor, allowing them to focus on the visual aids while strengthening their neck muscles.

Have a Seat

This next activity involves you sitting on the floor with your legs outstretched and your baby’s chest against your legs. This assisted tummy time position gives your little one more support and a better view of their surroundings. 

Some babies don’t like tummy time and may cry during the experience. To relieve tummy time tears, incorporate skin-to-skin contact through back rubbing. You can also talk or sing to your baby to make it a more intimate moment for both of you.

As your baby gets stronger, you can lift your knee under their chest to elevate their view.

Bonding with Siblings

If you have older siblings, encourage them to join the fun to promote bonding and sibling interaction. Have them lie down next to your baby and engage in playful interaction, such as making faces, singing songs, or playing with toys together.

Rolling Practice

Tummy time for infants provides the perfect opportunity to practice rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy. Guide your little one’s movements during this milestone in infant development. You can also praise and encourage their efforts.

Make the experience more enjoyable by placing toys or objects nearby. Doing so motivates your baby to reach and roll in different directions, further developing their coordination and motor skills.

Baby Airplane

This fun tummy time position involves lying on your back with your knees up to your chest. Carefully hold your baby facing you with its little body on your shins for added support. See as they laugh, smile, and giggle as you lift them. We recommend waiting until your baby is two to three months old, as this activity requires good head control.

A word of caution: To avoid spit-ups, this tummy time position is best done when your baby hasn’t eaten yet.

Outdoor Tummy Time

Take tummy time outdoors to provide your baby with a change of scenery and sensory stimulation. Lay a blanket or play mat in a shaded area and place toys or objects for your little one to explore. Various elements make this experience more enjoyable, such as the breath of fresh air, the sight of passersby and leaves, and birds chirping.

Spend Tummy Time with Your Little One

Integrate tummy time into infants’ daily routines to reap its many benefits. Remember, tummy time isn’t just about strengthening muscles or reaching developmental milestones; it’s also a great opportunity to build a deeper connection with your baby and nurture their growth.

Learn to embrace the joys and challenges of your child’s journey. Witness your baby’s development as it unfolds before your eyes.

Get expert tips about your child’s development by visiting the Rayito de Sol blog

October 17, 2024