Variety of Positioning Instead of Tummy Time At-All-Costs
Wanna know a little secret?
The reason why you hear developmental experts go on and on about tummy time, is not because tummy time is the single most important thing you can do for your baby… of course it’s not!
It’s because a variety of positions is important. Of all the various positions your baby can be in, tummy time requires the most effort. And sometimes “most effort” translates to “most avoided.”
So... we end up spending a lot of time addressing tummy time woes, ideas for building opportunities to practice into daily routines, adaptations to help your baby tolerate it better, and reiterating ALL the benefits...
No wonder you feel the pressure!
Here’s what I want you to keep in mind: the development of gross motor skills originates from small spontaneous movements when you put your baby down to play. Babies naturally begin to vary what they do on their own.
Those small spontaneous movements look very different depending on the position you place your baby in. Gravity affects your baby’s body differently when they are laying on their back vs. tummy vs. sidelying.
These differences provide the brain with the information it needs to create new possibilities for movement.
It just so happens that the information & movement possibilities that occur during tummy time, are also the ones that snowball into almost all other gross motor milestones (rolling, crawling, getting into and out of sitting, pulling to stand, walking).
So, yes, tummy time is important. But if it’s a struggle for you and your baby right now…
Try this:
Put the focus on a variety of positions, rather than tummy time at-all-costs.
Provide opportunities for a variety of positions throughout the day. Need help brainstorming? Think side lying, on back, on tummy, held facing outward, held facing down. There are a lot of options!
The goal for tummy time is that it becomes an enjoyable position in your baby’s daily repertoire.
P.S. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for skilled physical therapy intervention. While I am a physical therapist, I am not your child's physical therapist. If you have questions or concerns about your child's health and/or development, please contact your pediatrician.