pathways presents five essential tummy
time moves tummy time is one of the best
and easiest ways to enjoy some time with
your newborn but tummy time is also
essential to your baby's optimal
physical development babies who skip
this important step oftentimes
experience delays in crawling walking
and possibly even eating and talking
that's why pathways awareness suggests
you incorporate these five essential
moves into your baby's daily routine
remember begin tummy time soon after
your baby is born start with a few
minutes working up to an hour per day in
spurts by three months of age linked
tummy time with familiar activities such
as diapering bathing or even playing
tummy time should be fun time position
one tummy to tummy when your baby is
happy fed and awake it's the ideal time
to try some tummy time here mom leans
back propped up by a pillow to keep baby
angled up slightly
she then positions his tummy against
hers it's important to use your hands to
keep baby stable even if your newborn
isn't lifting his head yet this position
will help him get used to tummy time and
help him build and strengthen back and
neck muscles by three months he should
definitely be lifting his head and
pushing up on his forearms to try to
look around position to eye level smile
babies love your face and voice here
baby is trying hard to lift his head and
look at mom get down on the same level
as your baby voices and faces are great
motivators position yourself in front of
your baby to encourage head lifting and
then move your face or a toy side to
side to encourage head turning if your
baby consistently prefers one side take
note and bring this up with your
pediatrician or healthcare professional
position three laps soothe here baby is
learning about tummy time with mom mom
places him across her lap she can have
both knees even straighten one leg or
raise one leg higher like mom is doing
here to keep the knee under baby's chest
higher a hand on baby's bottom helps to
stabilize and soothe him position for
tummy down carry the tummy down Kerri is
a good alternative to always carrying
your baby upright on your shoulder
mom is supporting baby with one hand
between the legs and under the tummy and
the other hand supporting baby's head
and shoulders here you can see how mom
Nestle's baby close to her body for
additional support this is a great
position for dads to do too
think about using this when you're
carrying the baby from room to room
every bit of tummy time makes a
difference position 5 tummy minute start
to incorporate tummy time into your
daily routine for example every time you
change your baby place them on his tummy
for a minute or two here mom positions a
rolled-up receiving blanket under baby's
chest and upper arms so that his chest
is propped up babies love consistency
and linking diapering and tummy time
will definitely remind you to do it but
your baby will also see this as a
natural part of diapering here mom is
using a mirror to keep baby interested
babies love faces so remember it's
important for even newborns to get some
freedom of movement on their tummies
moms dads grandparents and caregivers
can start to incorporate these five
essential moves into baby's daily
routines right away begin with just a
few minutes a day a few times a day from
birth and work up to an hour a day in
spurts by the time the baby is three
months old please visit the pathways
website call our parent answered
helpline or contact us by email for more
information and for further tips on
time