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Belly Smarts!

How tummy time gives your baby (and young child) a body and brain boost


 

Writer: Beth Cooper Howell

Written for Living and Loving Magazine


Tamryn Paulsen gives insight from and Occupational Therapy Perspective




Most parents know that babies need to spend plenty of time on their tummies to develop core skills, such as crawling and walking.


But ‘tummy time’ is more than just a basic developmental step, says Johannesburg occupational therapist Tamryn Paulsen of Innova OT.


Medically known as ‘prone extension posture’, the position creates a complex connection between body and brain in not only babies, but young children, too.


Stomach science


The prone extension posture (PEP) is activated when a baby or child is lying ‘in prone’ or on their stomachs, explains Tamryn.


“By assuming this position, you activate the extensor muscle groups through a full range of motion, and elongate and prepare antagonistic flexor muscles that complement these extensors.


“This activation and preparation is essential for building movement and endurance in important muscle groups required for movement, coordination and control.”


What your doctor or occupational therapist wants to see is a baby, toddler or young child able to move into – and out of – prone extension easily, she says.


PEP is essential for healthy development of the neck, trunk (core tummy and back muscles), hips, legs and shoulders.


It’s an optimal tool for full body-brain development, as it encourages muscle strengthening and core control, and aids the development of midline crossing and bilateral integration – all fundamental building blocks for being a healthy, active, young child.


“Some babies hate doing tummy time – and that’s no surprise! Their muscles have to work extra hard at keeping their neck, back and shoulders against gravity. So, it can be uncomfortable at first.”


Benefits for baby


Tummy time fosters a full range of developmental achievements, which is why it should be encouraged, says Tamryn.


  • Motor development. It develops muscle strength and control of neck, back and shoulders, which builds the foundation of early motor development required for sitting upright, crawling, rolling and walking.

  • Visual development. In early development, while your baby is in PEP, he can visually explore his environment.

  • Sensory development. Your baby learns about his body in relation to his world, and also learns much about his hands in this position.


PEP for pre-schoolers and beyond

“Tummy time is not just for young babies,” Tamryn explains. “Toddlers, pre-schoolers and primary school children should be getting tummy time, too.”


The reason for this is that ‘postural stability’ is in serious decline.


“Many young children can’t climb monkey bars anymore, maintain an upright position at their school desks or sit for long enough at the dinner table to complete a meal.


“This is largely due to lack of core control and postural stability. Lying in tummy time is great for building up core strength in the neck, shoulders and back and will assist with endurance in postural tasks.”


Another worrying trend is that children have increased difficulty with fine motor skills, such as drawing, colouring in, cutting and writing, she says.


“Tummy time increases their muscle strength and shoulder stability, provides deep pressure and tactile input to the joints and muscles and builds appropriate neck and head control, which aids visual stability and tracking.


“This is a foundation skill required for reading, writing and mathematics. PEP not only builds your child’s arm and hand strength, but forms the beginning of fine motor development needed for pencil grip and handwriting in school.


“It also builds key muscle groups that support postural control required for sitting upright in a chair and paying attention to what the teacher is saying and doing.”


 

Belly basics

When and how should you start tummy time with your baby?


“Tummy time could actually begin as soon as your newborn comes home from the hospital,” says occupational therapist Tamryn Paulsen.


Start with a few minutes at a time, working up slowly to an hour a day by the time your baby is three months old, she advises.


2-4 weeks

· Tummy to tummy: place newborn on your tummy while you are lying down. This encourages early bonding.

· Tummy down carry: gently hold baby straddled over your forearm.

· Tummy down on your lap: while seated, place baby tummy down on your lap. Great for baby massage!


1-2 months

· Baby should start turning his head side-to-side and try to lift his head during tummy time.

· Place a comfortable blanket, towel or mat on the floor. Young babies need support during tummy time, so the surface must not be too puffy or soft.


2-3 months

· Your baby should start pressing up onto his hands, carrying his body weight on his arms.

· He should start lifting and holding his head to look forwards.

· At approximately three months, he should be able to spend up to an hour in tummy time spread over short periods throughout the day.

· By around three months, he can stabilise his head and neck control – and maintain eye contact with a moving toy.


3-5 months

· Your baby should be able to lift up his head and face forwards, holding his head centred.

· He may be able to do mini push-ups by using his arms to push the chest away from the floor.


Six months

· He starts to pivot or turn from side to side while on his tummy.

· He can reach and grab toys placed close by.

· He may start rolling from his back to his tummy and vice versa.



 

My baby hates tummy time!

“Tummy time is hard work, so building it into your daily routine is a must,” advises Tamryn.

Encourage it when your baby is happy or in a calm, playful mood, as this builds positive associations.


Other top tips include:

  • Try rolling up a thin towel, pillow or blanket under your baby’s chest if he seems uncomfortable lying flat.

  • Get down to his eye level and make silly faces, sounds and movements.

  • Use routine, so that your baby expects tummy time each day.

  • Avoid tummy time after feeding, as this could cause discomfort.

  • Aim to do it after nap time.

  • With toddlers and young children, adapt simple activities such as building blocks, puzzles or colouring in while lying on their tummies.

  • For older children, encourage tummy time during homework, while watching television or playing a family board game.


Tamryn uses some fun PEP activities in occupational therapy and says that parents can easily try these at home:

  • Place your baby tummy-down on an exercise ball, supporting his hips or sides. Gently roll the ball side-to-side and back to front.

  • While baby is on the ball, dangle a favourite toy to encourage lifting and holding up the head.

  • Babies love faces – especially their own! A mirror tempts your baby to lift up his head and maintain PEP while gazing at his reflection.

  • Tummy time for two! Lie face to face, pulling funny faces, encouraging eye contact or playing with a toy.

  • A little messy, but loads of fun – spread whipped cream low down on a window, wall or any other vertical surface to encourage head control. You can use shaving cream for older toddlers and children.

  • Older children, while lying in PEP, can build a puzzle against a wall using temporary adhesive (Prestik or similar).


“Tummy time can be uncomfortable at first, but don’t be discouraged. Every little bit counts,” says Tamryn. “Before you know it, your baby will be a pro tummy-timer!"


For more information about baby and toddler development and PEP, please contact Tamryn Paulsen at tamryn@innovaot.co.za.

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