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Tummy Time! (tm) "How to"
- Select a tummy time spot in your home.
- Place a clean blanket on the floor. It may be helpful to pick a spot on carpet, area rug
or padded foam floor.
- Place 1 or 2 toys on the blanket.
- Lay your baby on his or her back to start. Sit or lay next to your baby.
- Engage your baby in back and forth interaction, for example, cooing, talking, making different
facial expressions. You are playing first, to warm your baby up for Tummy Time!
- Be available for eye contact as much of the time as possible.
- Tell your baby, "It's Tummy Time!", and slowly roll your baby from their back to their tummy.
- You can sing or talk to your baby, make gentle playful noises,
show them toys, etc. to keep them entertained while baby is doing Tummy Time!. It is very helpful
to lie down on your tummy with your baby. This benefits both of you, the baby has his mom/dad close by and you get to
spend some quality time with him or her!
- When your baby starts
to fuss or get frustrated, tuck one arm underneath the chest and roll your baby to his or her back.
Then, pick your baby up, hug him or her, and give lots of encouragement!! "You did it!" "Wow,
you are amazing on your tummy !" etc.
- Then repeat for 5-15 minutes,
depending upon your baby's abilities.
Tummy Time! recommendations: - 3-4
sessions per day
- 5-15 minutes per session to start.
- Gradually build up the minutes your baby spends doing Tummy Time!
Tummy Time! (tm) recommendations based on age: Newborn-2 months old - spend a minimum of 30 minutes per day during awake periods. 2-4 months old - spend a minimum of 45 minutes to 1 and a half hours per day during awake periods. 4-6 months old - spend a minimum of 1 - 2 hours per day during awake periods. 6-8
months old - the majority of waking hours will be spent in tummy time or sitting / learning to sit. Babies
should learn to sit before they learn to stand.
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Consider a consultation if you notice any of the following during TummyTime!: - baby fusses or cries consistently during TummyTime!
- baby
arches his or her back consistently
- baby has difficulty turning
his or her head side to side
- baby is unable to touch their face
or mouth with a hand while in tummy time
- baby
spends less than 10 minutes per day doing TummyTime!
The KEY TO SUCCESS with TummyTime! is consistency. It's fairly easy to bring your baby to see me, we
usually have a great time during a session. The hard work comes when you go home. TummyTime! needs
to be done every day, several times a day. This is a big commitment, and one I know you can do!!!
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Your Baby's Wellness Service