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Tummy time is important for baby development
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Baby loves his boppy
No new mom should ever underestimate how important tummy time is. A generation ago babies were allowed to sleep on their stomachs, so they were used to it. Tummy time was never a problem, since most babies spent their entire babyhood on their tummies. Today with the fear of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, all babies are supposed to only sleep on their backs until they reach one year of age. This might make parents think that they should never be on their stomachs, but this is false. It is very important for a baby’s development that they spend at least 30 minutes a day on their stomachs. If not it can lead to misshapen heads and neck problems.
No parent wants their child to need to wear a helmet to reshape their heads, or collars to straighten their necks. Making a baby tolerate tummy time will help shape their heads, necks and give them the proper alignment they will need to someday walk. Since babies don’t spend much time on their tummies, it can be a battle to put them on it. They might cry and fuss, but the new mom must try to keep them on their stomachs as long as they can. Try to make it fun for the baby. Put toys near their faces or lay on the floor in front of them so they won’t feel alone.
Babies aren’t used to having to work at looking up, so that is why they get upset. The more they are forced to deal with tummy time, the more comfortable they will get with it, and the sooner they will learn to roll over and to someday crawl. Tummy time is the first in a chain reaction of important developmental challenges that cannot be overlooked.
There are a few tricks to getting the new baby to do tummy time that will make the baby a bit more comfortable. Placing the infant over mom’s leg with a toy in front of him will entertain baby along with strengthening his neck and back. Using a boppy is also a great help. Drape the baby over the pillow with her body within the cushions and her arms hanging over the side. She will be forced to lift her head to look at her surroundings. Tummy time mats are also helpful, since a small pillow goes under the baby’s chest to prop him up. All these will help get baby used to tummy time without placing him on the floor with no other option than to bury his face in the carpet and cry.
The most important thing is for the new parents to know that tummy time is very necessary in their new baby’s development. Boppys are great for many different things, from naps to feeding time, so all new moms should buy one for their new babies. Helping with tummy time is just one of the many advantages of this wonderful pillow.
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