At what age should babies be made to do tummy/back time?
2006-12-11 09:03:44 · 8 answers · asked by gulliver 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Just to add to the previous - all good - answers. It is good practice to sleep a baby on her back because it reduces the risk of cot death by up to seventy-five percent (or something equally impressive.)
It is a fact that that if a baby sleeps on her back she will not develop the chest and tricep muscles as quickly as a front-sleeper and will therefore not be able to roll over or crawl as early.
It is also a fact that some babies absolutely DETEST being lay on their tummies. When placed that way they will simply push their faces into the floor and howl until you pick them up. For these babies there is another way to encourage muscle development - sit them up.
From about the fourth or fifth month a baby will have sufficient neck control to be able to sit (aided) in your lap for a few minutes.
Sit back in a chair with your baby lay with her back against your stomach. Make sure you have some some good toys nearby and play with them in front of her - one by one. She will start to stretch forward to grab at them and you should - of course - let her get them. Do this a few of times a day every day and soon your baby will be sitting with good posture on your knee.
If you then start to move to the floor (always supporting) your baby will adopt a stable sitting position within about four weeks. After that you can start to move away and provide rear cushioning while you sit and play at the front.
A good game with a sitting baby is to stack bricks or cups in front of her at ever-so-slightly increasing distances and angles. Without realising she will start to stretch forward and to the sides to grab or knock them down - and in doing so will strengthen her chest and arms - aswell as develop her spacial awareness.
What you will find is that your baby will develop the muscles needed for rolling and crawling whilst never actually having to lie face down and freak out. You could also encourage the walking instinct very quickly.
p.s. Flattening of one side of the head can also be a (temporary) side effect of back-sleeping. To prevent this, place a very low light on the other side of the room and sleep your baby with her head at alternate ends of the cot each night. She will instinctively face towards the light and therefore sleep on different sides of her head each night.
2006-12-11 15:04:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tummy time is for babies over about 3-4 months of age. It is to strengthen their neck and arm muscles ready for when they learn to turn over (about 5-6 months of age) and in preparation for crawling. Back time is similar - on their backs babies play with their hands, stretch up towards mobiles to learn co-ordination. And, no, you do not put a baby on its tummy immediately after a meal.
2006-12-11 09:16:04 · answer #2 · answered by blondie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tummy time is important for babies b/c of the the "Back to Sleep" campaign. Tummy time gives baby time to develop muscles and learn to crawl sooner since being on their back all the time may inhibit that. You can do that anytime...not just after meals. It's best when baby is alert and playful. Those boppy pillows are great to "prop" baby up on tummy too. Hope that helps.
2006-12-11 09:14:52 · answer #3 · answered by zinntwinnies 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tummy time and Back time is really just about play time. There is no formula for starting either. Although an infant that can hold their head up steady is going to have more fun on their tummy then one who can not.
Some babies get sick after eating some don't. You'll have to use your best judgment on playing after meal time. I wouldn't recommend turning them upside down or excessive bouncing.
:o)
2006-12-11 09:16:37 · answer #4 · answered by I Ain't Your Momma 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Short answer is that it refers to sleep and playtime.
Back time is from birth and refers to the fact that babies should always sleep on their backs because it has been proven to be safer and prevents cot-death/SIDS.
Tummy time refers to time spent playing on his or her front when awake. This helps strengthen the muscles that support the head and neck, and helps prevent "flattened head" syndrome, which is caused by too much time spent lying on the back. Babies can do this from a few weeks as long as you stay with them in case they get stuck face down and can't breathe. It helps them to learn head-control from very early on.
Advise NOT doing tummy time straight after a meal unless you fancy sick on the carpet. Trust me, I've done it!
Congratulations on your little one and have lots of fun!
2006-12-11 12:40:31 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually have some fresh fruit or perhaps a yoghurt - good after a light or heavy meal. I tend to have the more "formal" desserts when I'm eating out. By the way, even though the posh foodies now call all desserts "puddings", I always think of a "pudding" as a warm, stodgy sponge-type affair with some sort of rich, sweet sauce - the kind of thing you'd have with custard. I don't think I could face THAT after a main meal ... but I could probably f-o-r-c-e myself to have some ice cream!
2016-05-23 06:32:24 · answer #6 · answered by Andra 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby i look after is now three months old and we've only just started her on her 'tummy time', because her neck muscles are strong enough for her to hold his head up . we never do it after meals, as you know yourself, lying on your belly in a full stomach is quite unpleasant!
she's been lying on her back in her play pen, just so that she can look up at her mobiles and hanging toys, and reach out to touch them, this helps with her hand-eye coordination.
2006-12-11 09:09:17 · answer #7 · answered by marcheline 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not sure what you mean I have 4 children all are healthy and never done tummy/back thing!
2006-12-11 09:07:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋