What is Tummy Time and Why Should You Use This Technique with Your Baby?
Many paediatric experts link the rising incidence of plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, with recommendations first issued by the American Academy of Paediatrics in 1992; that infants are to be put to sleep on their backs to avoid the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Some well-meaning parents interpreted this to mean that infants should never spend time on their tummies. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth.
You must always place your baby on the back to sleep; this has saved thousands of infant's lives. During the day, when awake and you are with are with your baby, give as much time on the tummy as possible. Babies just naturally love lying on their tummies. Every baby, after all, is used to being cradled with their stomach up against her mother's breast. Research shows, too, that babies who spend time on their stomachs are quicker to reach important developmental milestones like rolling and crawling. But one of the most important reasons to make sure your baby has plenty of tummy time is because it helps protect your baby against developing developmental or positional plagiocephaly.
Developmental plagiocephaly is a medical term used to describe the flattening of a baby's skull that develops when a baby is left in one position for too long and is too young to move themselves away from this position. Babies' heads are softer and more mouldable than adults' skulls in order to accommodate the rapid brain growth that occurs during the first two years of life. If an infant is left too long in one position, the bones of the cranium flatten and realign in a way that can leave a flattened area.
So how does a conscientious mother adhere to SIDS guidelines but safeguard against flat head syndrome? The answer is by providing her infant with plenty of supervised time on lying on their tummy.
Tummy time is time your baby spends on his or her stomach while you or another responsible adult is watching. This includes time you spend holding your infant as well as time the infant spends stomach down on the bed or floor. Tummy time helps infants build up the muscles in their necks and shoulders to support their heads. When babies lay on their tummies, they have a natural tendency to kick, which strengthens their legs. They also move their heads to look at things and grasp at them.
Some tips for productive tummy time include:
• Never, ever, leave your baby on his tummy untended. • If you're laying your baby down, make sure the surface is safe. Surround your baby with pillows to prevent her from falling off the bed. • Spread a blanket on the floor where you plan to position your baby. This will provide comfort and also protect your floor or carpet. • As your baby develops more head control, prop him up on his stomach with a pillow. • Place colourful objects on either side of your baby just out of sight to encourage them to turn their head and look around. • Don't be afraid to get down on your tummy with the baby and sing songs or play with toys. That way tummy time will be fun for both you and your baby!
About the Author
For more information on positional plagiocephaly and guidance for tummy time activities, please visit Technology in Motion's website - http://www.technologyinmotion.com/
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