"Tummy Time" tips

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the recommended sleeping position for your baby is on his back. Since the early nineties, the incidence of SIDS has been cut nearly in half thanks to mommies tucking in their tots safely on their backs.

But with so much of baby’s time spent snoozing on his back, “tummy time” during waking hours has become more important than ever.

The benefits of tummy time:

• gives baby’s tender little skull a break from so much time spent on his back
• builds upper body strength, which helps him to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl, and eventually stand and walk
• encourages fine motor development by enticing him to reach for toys, the blanket, or you!

When and how often to have tummy time:

• you can start as early as two months old if your baby is able to lift his head
• the general consensus is up to 30 minutes per day (all at once or broken into smaller segments if needed)

How to engage in tummy time:

• hold your baby on your chest while you’re lying flat on your back
• hold your baby on your forearms instead of the traditional cradle hold
• place baby on a firm, but soft surface such as a blanket or mat (TIP: Babylicious Yummy Blankets are a great size and weight for tummy time, available at www.twobluepeas.com)

Tips to help tummy time (if your baby bucks it, what do you do?):

• timing is everything; make sure your baby is not tired, hungry, or just in a general fussy mood
• start with shorter time periods and slowly build your way up as he becomes more comfortable with the concept
• interact with your baby and provide entertainment with toys, singing, or anything other silly antic you use to put a smile on that little face
• prop him up with a rolled towel or pillow (TIP: Angel Dear plush pillows are just the right size and softness for baby’s tiny tummy, available at www.twobluepeas.com)

> Babylicious Yummy Blankets (on sale now for just $18!)
> Angel Dear plush pillows (monogrammable for just $8!)