Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/making-time-for-tummy-time/5022564/
At birth, infants are often placed chest-to-chest with their mothers. This first moment of instinctual bonding is an example of tummy time — a positioning practice, which is beneficial in many ways to infants’ development. This practice of tummy time should continue at home and in early childhood centers until infants are rolling and moving themselves onto their stomachs.
Quality research, professional support, and consideration for today’s culture indicate that implementation of and education regarding tummy time is a best practice for early childhood teachers and parent educators. However, information about prone positioning is often limited and misunderstood. This article will clarify the definition of tummy time, its importance, and suggestions and resources for early childhood educators to support best practices.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) indicates that tummy time is important for a developing infant and that prone positioning should begin as soon as parents bring their new baby home from the hospital (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012). Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Coulter-O’Berry & Lima, 2010), explains that tummy time is “any activity that keeps your baby from lying flat in one position” and “any time you carry, position, or play with your baby” (p. 1) on his or her belly. ...