7 Reasons Tummy Time For Newborns Is MUST – As a new parent, you may be wondering why tummy time is so important for your newborn. Tummy time refers to the time your baby spends lying on their stomach while supervised. It has become a critical component of early childhood development due to the many benefits it provides. In this article, we’ll explore seven reasons why tummy time is a must for your newborn.
7 Reasons Tummy Time For Newborns Is MUST
1. Strengthens Neck, Shoulder, and Arm Muscles
One of the primary benefits of tummy time is that it helps your baby develop their neck, shoulder, and arm muscles. By lifting their head and pushing up with their arms, they begin to build the strength they need to sit up, crawl, and eventually walk.
2. Improves Gross Motor Skills
Tummy time also improves your baby’s gross motor skills. As they learn to roll over, crawl, and eventually walk, they need to have strong muscles and good coordination. Tummy time helps develop these skills by allowing them to practice pushing up and moving their arms and legs.
3. Helps Prevent Flat Head Syndrome
Another important benefit of tummy time is that it can help prevent flat head syndrome. When babies spend too much time lying on their backs, they may develop a flat spot on the back of their head. Tummy time helps to distribute the pressure and weight on their head, reducing the risk of this condition.
4. Encourages Visual Development
Tummy time is also essential for your baby’s visual development. When they are lying on their stomach, they have a different view of the world around them. This helps to stimulate their visual development and promotes their ability to focus on objects.
5. Enhances Digestion
Tummy time can also enhance your baby’s digestion. By spending time on their stomach, they experience gentle pressure on their belly, which can help relieve gas and improve digestion. This can be especially helpful for colicky babies or those with reflux.
6. Promotes Social Interaction
Tummy time can also promote social interaction between you and your baby. When you engage with your baby during tummy time, you are encouraging them to look up and make eye contact with you. This helps to build their social skills and fosters a sense of connection and bonding.
7. Helps Develop Cognitive Skills
Finally, tummy time can help develop your baby’s cognitive skills. By engaging with the world around them from a different perspective, they begin to build their understanding of cause and effect, spatial relationships, and object permanence.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, tummy time is a must for your newborn for a variety of reasons. It helps develop their muscles, improves their gross motor skills, prevents flat head syndrome, encourages visual development, enhances digestion, promotes social interaction, and helps develop their cognitive skills. By incorporating tummy time into your daily routine, you can help your baby grow and develop into a healthy, happy, and thriving child.
FAQs
Q: When should I start tummy time with my newborn?
A: You can start tummy time as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. Start with short periods of time and gradually increase as your baby grows and develops.
Q: How often should I do tummy time with my newborn?
A: Aim for at least 3-5 minutes of tummy time, 2-3 times per day. As your baby gets older and more comfortable with tummy time, you can increase the duration and frequency.
Q: What if my baby doesn’t like tummy time?
A: Some babies may resist tummy time at first, but with patience and encouragement, they will become more comfortable. Try using toys or other items to keep them entertained, or get down on the floor with them to show them that it’s safe and fun.
Q: How long should tummy time last?
A: Start with short periods of time, around 1-2 minutes, and gradually increase as your baby grows and develops. Aim for at least 3-5 minutes, 2-3 times per day.
Q: Can tummy time be dangerous for my baby?
A: Tummy time is safe for most babies when done correctly and supervised. Make sure to always supervise your baby during tummy time and place them on a flat, firm surface to reduce the risk of suffocation or SIDS.
