Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play
Copyright New Berlin Therapies 2001
Babies Should Sleep on Their Backs
Babies Should Play on Their Tummy
Benefits of Tummy Play
Consequences of Not Encouraging Tummy Play
Make Tummy Time Fun
How Should My Baby Be Positioned During Waking Hours?
What Should I Expect When I Place My Baby on His/Her Tummy?
Babies Should Sleep on Their Backs
In 1992 the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommended that all healthy infants be placed down for sleep
on their backs to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS). This campaign is best know as
'Back to Sleep'. Prior to this recommendation, more than 5,000 babies in
the U.S. died from SIDS every year. But now, as the Back to Sleep
message spreads, the number of babies that die from SIDS is under 3,000
every year.
Babies Should Play on Their Tummy
Although sleeping on the back is recommended
for all healthy babies, playing on the tummy
during walking hours is safe and also
recommended.
Benefits of Tummy Play
º Provides the opportunity to strengthen important back, neck, shoulder,
and arm muscles needed for good posture and transitional movements.
º Provides visual stimulation as the baby looks up from this position to
view the world.
º Encourages development of gross motor skills like rolling and crawling.
These movements not only allow children to move, but also help them
develop the concepts of time, distance and space. This influences the way
your child relates to his/her world.
º Provides strengthening for hands, arms and shoulders which allows for
interaction with toys.
º Provides the opportunity for important deep pressure and touch
experiences through the forearms and hands which prepares the baby to
effectively manipulate toys for play.
Consequences of Not Encouraging Tummy Play
Developmental delay - Research is revealing that children who are not
placed on their stomachs learn to roll later than those who experience
'tummy time'.
º Asymmetrical Head Shape - Physicians have also noted an increase in
Positional Plagiocephaly, flattening of a portion of the head, since the 'Back
to Sleep' campaign was initiated. This is due to lack of 'tummy time'.
º Weakness - Children who do not play on the tummy demonstrate
weakness of back and shoulder muscles which can limit their mobility and
play.
Make 'Tummy Time' Fun
 Use Tummy Time as an interactive play time. The very young child enjoys
close contact, singing or bright toys. They often do well lying on their
tummy while on a caregivers lap or chest. If your child fusses, try tummy
lying for short periods of time in your arms or while gently rocking. When
they gain more active head lifting they will enjoy a brightly colored blanket
or mirror placed in front of them. In the later months (4-6) they will enjoy
looking at and reaching for toys. Try games, fun faces and sounds as you
lay on the floor with them.
How Should My Baby Be Positioned During Waking Hours?
Your child should experience a wide variety of positions throughout the day.
º Young infants need to experience lying on their stomachs during
playtimes. Place your child on a firm, yet soft surface with his/her head to
one side. Stay very close, even face to face, and talk or sing to your infant.
This should be done at least 3 times daily.
º Very young infants also enjoy lying on their side while looking toward
black and white toys. Be sure to alternate sides.
º Younger babies enjoy being carried at the parent's shoulder, in their
arms, or facing outward at their environment. They may also enjoy lying
face to face on their parent's chest.
º Equipment such as infant seats, bouncing recliners, and swings should
only be used for short periods of time during waking hours.
º Infant seats and carriers are convenient, but often promote prolonged
periods of back lying. Consider carrying your infant
in your arms rather than a carrier. The use of
specially designed back and front carriers that the
caregiver wears are recommended (see picture).
º Standing supports like 'exersaucers' can be a
nice place for your child to experience standing.
However, it is important to wait until he/she is
actively using their legs to stand in the support and
not just hanging on the sling seat. Wheeled walkers
are not recommended because they can tip on
uneven surfaces and promote an unnatural walking pattern.
What Can I Expect When I Place My Baby on His/Her Tummy?
There are variations in the way babies acquire gross motor skills but
generally the following may be expected:
0 - 1 Months: The infant rests with head to one side and body tucked
up in the fetal position. If placed with face down, an infant can lift the head
slightly to turn the mouth and nose to the side.
2 - 3 Months: With regular experience on their stomachs, babies will be
more comfortable in this position. Your child will stretch out arms and legs
more; and begin lifting the head slightly.
4 -5 Months: At this age children can lift their head with ease when
placed on the tummy. By the 4th month your child will be able to fully lift
his/her head when propped on elbows. By the end of the fifth month this
skills should be mastered, and your child may even be able to push upon
extended arms and reach.
6 - 7 Months: Your child will be very comfortable playing on his/her
stomach at this age. Children can easily reach and interact with objects in
this position. They will be able to roll on and off their tummies on their own.
Belly crawling may emerge at this age.
8 - 10 Months: Your child will use crawling on hands and knees as their
main form of mobility. He or she will move easily in and out of sitting.
10 - 18 Months: As your child is learning to walk, he/she will continue to
use crawling for floor play and on stairs.
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