Tummy time is a concept that is only slowly making its way from the USA to German-speaking countries. This conscious playtime for babies in the prone position promotes the healthy stretching and strengthening of a child's head, neck, shoulder, and back muscles. Whether on a special play mat that offers plenty to discover with bright colors, patterns, and different materials, on an exercise ball, or simply on your stomach, tummy time can be incredibly diverse. It can look a little different in every month of your child's life and at every stage of development, always providing an opportunity for closeness and shared discovery. You can read here about what to keep in mind and how to make tummy time pleasant and varied!
The term “Tummy Time” comes from English and translates into German as conscious playtime in the prone position (on the stomach). Even if Tummy Time doesn't reinvent the wheel, it is an important concept that can contribute to your child's health and age-appropriate development and definitely deserves more attention.
Since babies sleep on their backs in their first months of life and often spend their waking time in a crib, cradle, or stroller, parents must actively plan for time spent on the tummy. Exercises in the prone position help prevent, among other things, imbalanced neck muscles and developmental delays. With daily tummy time, you can ensure that your child's muscles from head to back can develop well and that your little treasure naturally prepares for crawling.
As a bonus, your baby practices rolling over, lifting their head, propping themselves up on their elbows, and trains their balance. Your child’s sense of hearing and sight also becomes more refined when they perceive noises around them, for example. Tummy Time is also socially important, as conscious tummy playtime is a moment of attention and special closeness between parent and child. So get ready for lots of fun and to explore the world from a whole new perspective!
According to experts, you should place your infant on their tummy right after birth. Start gently and with short periods in the prone position. In fact, the prone position is the first position most newborns are placed in immediately after birth: belly-to-belly with their new mother. Direct skin-to-skin contact and the closeness between parent and child is especially important in the first weeks of life. The newborn cannot yet lie comfortably on a flat surface and should only do so for short periods. Try to carefully use a rolled-up towel or a gym ball to make everything as soft and comfortable as possible.
Around the 3rd month of life, your child will begin to prop themselves up on their elbows through regular exercise in the prone position and observe things in front of them more closely. Soon, they will also try to reach for them. That is why you will find the Strawberry Roly-Poly Toy in the Paul & Lori LACH BABBEL Playbox at this time; it captures your child's attention as a fun toy and makes tummy playtime much more exciting.
Since the prone position helps your infant develop healthy neck and back muscles, you should incorporate some every day. It is best to start with short periods of time on the tummy and increase Tummy Time slowly. From the 3rd month on, one hour per day is recommended, divided into smaller time intervals. Make sure not to overexert your baby's slowly developing muscles.
Tummy time in the stroller is also not out of the question: If you are out and about a lot, you can use a small break to simply place your child on their tummy in the stroller instead of on a blanket on the floor. The stroller should be stationary, and you should ensure that your child can see you or something exciting so that they feel safe and well-entertained.
Tummy Time is time your baby spends on their stomach while awake. Due to the risk of suffocation if sleeping on the stomach, your baby should not be on their tummy during this time. If they happen to fall asleep during tummy playtime, you should gently move your baby onto their back and wait until their next waking phase to play on their stomach again. After breastfeeding or feeding, you should give your baby some time to digest before you enjoy Tummy Time together.
It is possible that your baby will become fussy and impatient while on their tummy. Don't let that unsettle you. By respecting your child's limits, you can practice together again and again, because the prone position is not only unfamiliar for your child at first, but also really hard work. If being on their tummy causes your child excitement, you can introduce it like a ritual, for example, always after changing or bathing. This way, your child will come to expect it and can settle into it more calmly. You will surely notice quickly that it becomes easier for your child and that you have a lot of fun together during this time!
1. Exercise for the prone position:
Belly-to-belly or belly-to-chest
Lie comfortably on the bed or couch; you can prop yourself up with a few pillows or lie flat on your back, whichever is more comfortable for you. Place your baby on your belly or chest so you can look into each other’s eyes or simply breathe and relax together. Hold your baby firmly so they cannot slip off to the side.
2. Exercise for the prone position:
Carrying in the prone position - the "football hold"
If you slide one hand under your baby and hold them between the legs and at the belly, you can carry your baby quite comfortably in the prone position. They get a completely different perspective on the world and will look around curiously. With your other hand, you can support your child's head and neck. Make sure you keep your baby close to you, especially at the beginning, when they are not yet used to this posture. Once you both feel secure in the position, you can have even more fun together! By the way, the "football hold" is also recommended for newborns with gas and colic.
3. Exercise for the prone position
Soothing on the lap
Place your baby in the prone position across your lap. If you place one hand on your child's bottom, they will calm down faster and lie securely. In this position, it is also easier for them to burp and calm down.
4. Exercise for the prone position
At eye level
Lie down with your baby in the prone position, look at them, and talk to them. Your baby loves your face and your voice! Feel free to encourage your baby a bit so that you use the time together, have fun, and your baby gradually starts looking for you purposefully.
Place your baby in the prone position for one or two minutes. By starting with a few minutes at a time and then slowly increasing the periods of conscious, playful tummy time, you ideally help your baby train their neck, shoulder, and back muscles. If you practice daily, your baby can spend a whole hour a day in the prone position by three months of age. You can start with one minute after every diaper change!
While your newborn initially prefers lying on your stomach or chest so you can be very close to each other, starting from the second month of life, they will begin to lift their head and look around at their environment (at least for a few seconds). From the 3rd month of life, most babies can already prop themselves up on their elbows and focus on things in front of them. Now, it won't be long until they try to reach for them.
Between the 4th and 6th month of life, the baby learns to lift their chest off the floor in the prone position and hold their head steadily upright. Soon, they begin to stretch out their arms to get a better look at their environment. A real feat of strength! Next, they begin to be able to roll over on their tummy. Now, independent movement is not far off!
Around the 8th month of life, your child then masters so-called free sitting without support. Between the 7th to 9th month, most children also begin to crawl, and you will notice that a new developmental step has begun and conscious playtime in the prone position is no longer as important.
And now it’s your turn! For even more great insights, we have embedded a YouTube video below from the Pathways Organization (a national non-profit organization from Chicago, USA). Get ready and get started with your Tummy Time 😃
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