Our mothers used to put us on the stomach to sleep. In fact, pediatricians recommended it, since it was thought the best way to avoid aspiration from food in case of spit-up. It wasn’t until 1992 in the US and 1993 in Canada when the Academy of Pediatrics introduced the “back to sleep” campaign, saying that the safest position for babies to sleep is on their backs in the first year. Infants sleeping on their stomachs get less oxygen and are re-breathing air from the area around them leading to SIDS. It was probably not the only reason for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) but it was cause enough to make the recommendation. Since the “back to sleep” campaign started, SIDS has decreased by 50 percent each year. But, as with any good cause, something always gives. In this case it was the reduced time babies spend on their tummies, so let’s put the spotlight back on it.
Benefits of Tummy time
Before the “back to sleep” campaign, babies spent so much time on their tummies that they got sufficient practice of all their muscles and gross motor development moved at a pretty good speed. Not so much anymore. So when the baby is awake, make sure you give her enough time on her tummy, to flex all those muscles, to kick and later on roll back and forth, and eventually to crawl, sit, stand and walk. It is this muscular development – of the neck, shoulder and back muscles – that is the greatest benefit of tummy time.
Another great plus of tummy time for babies is the sensory development. They see the world in a different light from their tummies. Of course, the need for better balance and coordination, and strengthening of the trunk and head make it for an easier time, so the more they practice, the more comfortable they will get on their tummies. Soon they start grasping objects nearby, and reaching and holding things is yet another developmental step.
Sleeping on the back all the time can leave babies with a somewhat flattened head. You can tell by baby’s hairline which is her favorite position to sleep at. Since babies are born with soft spots in their skulls to allow for brain development in the first year, constant back positioning can have a flattening effect on the back of the head.Try to vary her placement in the crib – always on her back – to the right one night and left another. And when awake, let her spend enough time on her tummy to develop those head and neck muscles.
How much tummy time?
Believe it or not, you start practicing tummy time with your little one from the day she’s born. When you place her on your chest on day one of meeting her, you are laying the first foundation of tummy time.
After 4-6 weeks, you can start placing your baby on her tummy on the floor (mat or blanket) while she is awake for a few minutes at a time, slowly growing it to 30 minutes a day. You can break this into small periods during the day, such as 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes before lunch, 10 minutes in the afternoon, or go by what your baby can tolerate. Over time, she will grow to enjoy more tummy time, and as she learns to roll back and forth, this will provide for a nice open area to explore her surroundings. You should always be nearby and supervise tummy time. These days babies tend to spend so much time in confined spaces – car seats, bouncers, swings, chairs – that some open play time may actually give her the confidence she needs to learn new skills that help her grow.
Make Tummy time fun
At first, many babies accustomed to always being put on their backs to sleep, may balk at lying on the tummy on the floor. It is not just because of the physical effort of holding their neck and head, but also the boredom of just being there alone. So get social, get down on the floor and play with your baby. Talk, babble, sing silly songs, interact and she will enjoy this time so much more. As she grows, start introducing age-appropriate toys – rattles, drums, blocks. You can even invest in a tummy time mat, which has fun objects to look at and play with on the floor.
Watch for clues from your baby – if she is awake, fed, alert and happy – go ahead and plop her on her tummy. If she is fussy, don’t force it. And make sure that your baby does not fall asleep on her tummy, place her back on her back to sleep, preferably in her crib.
