TUMMY TIME

When B was first born, it seemed like everyone kept telling us to do tummy time. Well, B hated tummy time. And as a new mom, I really hated seeing her unhappy. So, we had to get creative. 

We started doing nightly massages - initially to keep her skin from getting so dry, but then we realized it was a sneaky way of doing tummy time! We would turn B onto her stomach, and massage her backside. She never seemed to mind tummy time when getting massaged - but who would?! Then we started putting B on her Boppy pillow, or letting her lay on us, for tummy time. She seemed to much prefer those than being flat on the floor. Then we discovered playing Airplane - “flying” B around the house, which is another way of incorporating tummy time!

After discovering these tricks, tummy time didn’t seem so daunting. And now, before bed, Brooke is used to the royal treatment of a nightly massage. I’m lucky if I put moisturizer on my own hands!

Why is tummy time important? 

• It helps babies develop the muscles needed to lift their heads, sit up, crawl, and walk
• Helps prevent plagiocepahly (flat head syndrome)
• Helps alleviate gas
• Exposes baby to a different environment

Some notes

• The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommends beginning tummy time the day baby comes home from the hospital (given no other health issues)
• Make sure you keep a close eye on baby during tummy time. 
• It is recommended to do tummy time for 15 minutes a day (usually in 3 sessions lasting about 5 minutes each)
• It is best to do tummy time after your baby wakes up from a nap or after a diaper change, to help prevent spit up from doing directly after a feed (B still spit up all the time…)

Do you guys have any other tips for tummy time?