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| 01.02.08 Tummy Time |
1 February 2008
Tummy Time
New parents are being taught the importance of Tummy Time for their babies.
Tummy Time is anytime you carry, position or play with your baby while they are on their tummy.
The campaign launched by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust aims to promote the importance of parents and carers increasing the amount of awake time their baby spends on their tummy.
Dr Barbara Bell, Consultant Paediatrician for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust explains the scheme: “Since the ‘reduce the risk’ campaign began in the UK, babies are being put down to sleep on their backs. Although this has resulted in a decrease in cots deaths, it has led to babies spending less time on their tummies. Increased use of carriers and swings also adds to pressure and without any relief can lead to flattening on the back of baby’s head. Some babies are born with flatness of their head and neck muscles which can worsen from lying in the same position all the time.”
Jennifer Hanna, Paediatric Physiotherapist for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust adds: “The Association of Paediatric Physiotherapists has researched that being on the back all the time is not good for a baby’s development. We also know that babies who spend awake time on their tummies, roll, sit, crawl and pull to stand earlier than those with no tummy time.”
The Trust is promoting the Tummy Time message to parents and carers of babies up to 12 months through ante-natal classes, midwives and health visitors.
Tummy Time Tips:
• Use Tummy Time as play time.
• Use interesting toys such as mirrors and rattles to encourage baby to reach and explore their environment.
• Let other siblings play on the floor and interact with baby.
• Lie facing baby – babies love to look at faces and be talked to.
• Position baby on bed to make it easier for you to look at each other. Never leave baby unsupervised.
• Lie with baby on your chest encouraging them to lift their head and look at you.
• Use a rolled blanket or towel under baby’s chest to help them lift their head.
• Try different carrying positions.
For further information or a leaflet on Tummy Time contact the Child Development Centre Tel: 028 3861 3107.