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Tummy Time
On the Back to Sleep, on the Stomach for Play
By Rae Pica, Children's Movement Specialist
The good news is that something as simple as tummy time can lessen or eliminate all of these potential problems. Pediatricians advise that even five minutes of tummy time a day have a positive effect on head shape. When you place your baby facedown, curiosity induces her to attempt lifting her head and pushing up on her arms, strengthening the upper torso. (When she's on her back, she has no compelling reason to make the effort!) And crawling is a cross-lateral experience (the left arm and right leg move simultaneously and vice versa), so children who spend time practicing this motor skill generally have no problem crossing the body's midline. Also, babies who spend time facedown tend to reach their motor milestones earlier than babies who don't.
First, it's important to acclimate your infant to this position as early in life as possible. Right from the start, following a nap or diaper change, two to three times a day, you should place him on his tummy for a brief playperiod. You can gradually increase the length of these periods as your baby becomes used to them. Also, whenever possible, lie on your back and place your baby facedown on your chest. This not only helps him adapt to this position but will also give him a reason to lift his head – to look at you!
But even if you didn't begin tummy time the day you brought her home from the hospital, it's not too late to start! Following are some suggestions for making tummy time a fun time:
- Get "down and dirty" with Baby.
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