Newborns spend a lot of time on their backs gazing up at the ceiling in the cradle, in the car seat, and in their arms. They gain a new viewpoint when you turn them over onto their stomachs, which also helps their development.
What is meant by the tummy time milestones for newborns by month?
Tummy time involves placing your baby on their tummy while awake for a brief period. Before your child leaves the hospital, you can begin tummy time by holding them on your chest. Although tummy time appears (and is) simple, your baby will gain significantly from it.
One of a baby’s first crucial workouts is tummy time! Tummy Time is the time your baby spends awake and on their tummy during the day. It is an important activity for the infant’s motor, visual, and sensory development. Tummy time can start for the newborn. For the duration of their first year, they can continue to do Tummy Time.
Additionally, only perform tummy time when your child is awake. Babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
What are the benefits of tummy time for newborns?
- Tummy time is crucial for a baby’s growth. Some of its advantages are:
- Helps the infant gain the strength necessary for rolling over, sitting up, and crawling,
- Newborns and infants under three months old are still learning to regulate their necks. The muscles they will need to roll over, sit up, crawl, and walk are developed through tummy time. When your infant is doing tummy time, always be present.
- Babies that are 4 to 7 months old. Even if they can roll over and sit with some assistance, they should still spend some time under supervision on their bellies. They try elevating their head and chest by keeping their arms straight during the tummy. These tones the muscles in the back, chest, and arms.
- Torticollis is a neck ailment that affects newborns. The newborn cannot turn their head because of tight neck muscles. Tummy time and exercises your doctor will show you can help your baby’s neck muscles relax. Tummy time allows babies to look about.
- Infants with flat-headedness (positional plagiocephaly). In the first several months of life, this occurs when infants spend excessive time on their backs. This may result in a flat patch on the back of the head or one side.
- There aren’t many opportunities to enjoy yourself with your newborn at first. And although if stomach time isn’t particularly engaging at first, as your baby’s abilities advance, tummy time is a significant opportunity for interaction and play with your baby, which is a bonding activity.
How tummy time is performed:
- After a diaper change, bath, or nap, give your baby some tummy time when awake.
- The conventional method for beginning tummy time is to lay the baby down on their belly on a blanket or mat on the floor in a clear, level space.
- For infants under six months, start with 3 to 5 minutes. Increase daily by a couple of minutes.
- For the first one to two minutes at a time, you can place a newborn on their tummy across your lap or chest. Up to three times a day, perform this.
- If your infant enjoys using a breastfeeding cushion, you could also try it.
- Baby should be placed on their tummy over the pillow, their arms and shoulders supported by the pillow, which should be placed on the floor on top of a blanket.
- Keep an eye on your infant at all times. If they begin to slide down the pillow, reposition them.
- You can put toys suitable for your baby’s age within reach. You can read to the baby during belly time or set a board book at eye level for them to see. Additionally, it improves their eye health.
- You can put a non-breakable mirror close to your kid as they age and their vision improves so they can view their reflection.
- You can change things up by performing tummy time in a park or other flat area outside s up. Your baby will spend more time on their belly as they get bigger.
Tummy time milestone stages by month
| Newborn | Baby has their booty up and is highly flexed. In this position on your chest, you might nod off. Their cheek will be on the ground as they lie with their head turned to one side. |
| One month | Baby can turn to the opposite side by briefly lifting their head and becoming less flexed or starting to stretch out; for babies to reverse all the flexions maintained while in the womb, tummy time is crucial. |
| Two months | The baby is more adaptable. Their pelvis is sagging (aka no more booty in the air). They are capable of raising their heads 45 degrees above the ground. Their sides are extended with their elbows. |
| Three months | The baby fully raises its head to a 90° angle. They can turn their head in any direction and have been known to accidentally roll over (I refer to this as when the baby’s body follows their relatively heavy lead and falls over from tummy to back). |
| Four months | The baby raises its head and chest off the ground while lifting its chest upward. Their weight starts to shift, and occasionally one arm straightens. Their shoulders are under their elbows. |
| Five months | The baby starts to straighten both arms. they might begin to move backward |
| Six months | Baby pushes up with hands beneath shoulders and straight arms. They can circle (a great pre-crawling skill). Seeks out a toy. Simultaneously raises the arms and legs in a “swimming” motion. |
| Seven months | starts to ascend to the knees and hands. Rocks in that position back and forth. Army or belly crawls. |
| Eight months | Alternating between sitting and being on your hands and knees. Reaches on hands and knees for toys. |
| Nine months | forward, crawling. Begins to ascend objects. |
Other activities during tummy time
You can also try the following additional tummy time activities:
- The baby should be placed on a water mat. There are many different textures and hues for children to explore.
- Use a play gym for your child to explore and play with.
- Let your infant follow one toy with their eyes by holding it a few inches from their head.
- Give your child a durable mirror so they can see their reflection in it (best for babies three months and older).
Tummy time can be an excellent opportunity for you and your family to become closer to the baby.
Essential supplies required for tummy time
A flat surface and a blanket or mat to place your baby on are the only supplies needed for tummy time. However, you may increase your child’s enjoyment of tummy time by exposing them to toys and, when they become a little older, non-breakable mirrors.
Here are some suggestions for activities you could do:
- baby blanket, inflatable tummy time water mat
- light-up toy, stomach time pillow board
- cloth book, baby mirror
- tummy time activity mat
- baby gym (for use after three months old)
These things are available online and at stores that sell baby supplies. You might be able to purchase them at thrift shops, obtain them from parenting organizations, or borrow them from friends.
Summary
Your baby’s head, neck, and shoulders growth benefits from tummy time. Additionally, it’s a beautiful opportunity for you to play, sing, read, and bond with your child. Baby’s tummy time should always be under adult supervision. Never let them sleep on their stomachs or leave them unattended.
Put them in their crib on their back if they begin to show signs of sleep. They can rest in the most secure manner and location in that. Consult your child’s pediatrician if you have any worries about tummy time or if they aren’t achieving their developmental objectives.
