The Importance of Tummy Time for Infants

You've heard from your pediatrician, your midwife, your mother and your neighbor that the baby needs to do tummy time. Why is tummy time so important? Why does everyone want to know if you are doing tummy time, and if baby likes tummy time, and how long are they doing tummy time for??

For baby, this is their earliest form of exercise. We aren't worried about them getting six packs or big biceps though. What this exercise is focusing on is strengthening their neck and shoulder muscles.

Why Focus on Strengthening Neck and Shoulder Muscles?

Strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles in babies aged 0-3 months is important for several reasons:

1. Facilitation of physical development: strong neck and shoulder muscles help babies learn to control their heads and sit up, which is a key milestone in their physical development.

2. Improved motor skills: having strong neck and shoulder muscles also helps babies to develop fine motor skills, such as reading and grasping objects, which are important for future development and independence.

3. Reduced risk of flat head syndrome: spending time on their tummies during tummy time can help reduce the risk of flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly), a condition where the head becomes misshapen due to prolonged pressure on one side.

4. Better visual skills: tummy time also allows babies to see the world from a different perspective and helps to develop their visual skills, such as tracking objects and focusing on nearby objects.

5. Improved sleeping patterns: spending time on their tummies can also help improve sleeping patterns and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Flat Head Syndrome??

Flat head syndrome, also known as positional plagiocephaly, is a condition in which a baby’s head becomes flattened on one side. This can occur when a baby spends a lot of time in the same position, such as lying on their back for long periods. The condition is becoming more common due to the “back to sleep” campaign, which recommends putting babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The rate of occurrence of flat head syndrome varies, but studies have shown that it affects up to 48% of infants. It is most common in first-born children and those who spend a lot of time lying on their backs, such as in a crib or car seat.

In most cases, flat head syndrome is a cosmetic concern and does not cause any harm to the baby. However, in severe cases, it can lead to problems with the development of the neck, spine, and jaw, as well as difficulty in vision, hearing and speech.

To prevent flat head syndrome, it is recommended that babies have supervised tummy time every day and be positioned in different ways, such as on their sides or stomachs, during playtime and while they are awake. Additionally, alternating the direction in which the baby’s head faces while they are lying down can also help prevent the development of flat head syndrome.

Sources:

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Your Baby's First Years.

• World Health Organization. (2019). Infant and young child development.

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (2021). Flat Head Syndrome in Infants.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Child Development and Early Learning: A Foundation for Professional Practice.

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