Why do babies need tummy time?

The early months in a baby's life are vital for development. Babies who are not exposed to physical, social and emotional stimulation will not progress as fully as those who are. It is widely documented that without tummy time, some babies will experience delayed motor responses.

Physical Development

Tummy time helps develop and strengthen babies' neck, shoulder and upper arm muscles, and gentle kicking against the back surface strengthens and increases the bone density in babies' feet. Tummy time is known to prevent positional plagiocephaly (flat head) which can result from too much time on the back, or from pressure on the head from hard surfaces like car seats.

Emotional and Social Development

Babies who feel loved, safe and secure grow into happy children and adults. Tummy With Mummy® helps babies and parents get to know each other through easy eye contact. Babies love when parents and carers talk and play with them. They love to listen to songs and stories. This interaction is vital for their social and emotional development.

Sensory Development

Tummy time in babies' first months helps with 'midline crossing': the ability to use the right hand in the left body space, and the left hand in the right body space. This crossing affects how children cope with reading and writing in their early school years.

Motor Responses.

There is extensive evidence showing that many babies who have no tummy time have delayed motor responses. In the early months, tummy time helps babies gain control over their movements, lifting their heads and looking around, stretching and kicking their legs.