One of the things that we've learned as a new parents is the importance of giving Iylah "Tummy Time"(we like to refer to this as TT). Tummy time builds neck control and upper body strength that is needed for eventual sitting and crawling.
In 1992, in an effort to reduce SIDS cases (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the American Academy of Pediatrics started a Back to Sleep campaign recommending that all infants be placed on their backs to sleep. The resulting decrease in the rate of SIDS was pretty remarkable:
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| Source: CDC's National Center for Health Statistics; National Infant Sleep Position Study (funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) |
Although SIDS rates have decreased, back sleeping has resulted in developmental delays in when babies now start to roll-over and crawl. They simply don't have a chance to build upper body strength as frequently as when they were placed on their stomachs to sleep. Hence, the recommendation now for daily "tummy time" to ensure babies have a chance to develop upper body strength.
Iylah doesn't really like doing tummy time. Initially she would cry and cry when placed on her stomach so admittedly Brede and I were TT slackers early on. Now that she's a bit older, I've started to kick tummy time into high gear and try to give Iylah her TT at least 3x a day.
Iylah will now tolerate tummy time although it's still not her favorite. Two things have recently helped:
1.) Buying a stand-up crib mirror
2.) Playing a game of "roll-over"
The mirror is particularly helpful for entertaining Iylah while she's on her tummy. Babies are fascinated by mirrors! Distraction = more tummy time. I think of this as almost analogous to my habit of watching reality TV while putting in time on the treadmill. Distraction can be a good thing at any age...
Here is Iylah staring at her reflection in her little mirror:
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| Who's that? This strange baby keeps looking at me!! |
Side note - Check out the bald spot on the back of Iylah's head from sleeping on her back and rubbing her head back and forth during the night.
This bald spot makes me feel HORRIBLE but it doesn't seem to bother Iylah at all. Her Pediatrician has assured me this is quite normal and happens to a lot of babies as a result of back sleeping. Hopefully all the hair will eventually grow back....
Our second trick for tummy time is the "roll-over" game we play. Some babies start to roll over on their own starting around 3-4 months. Iylah hasn't mastered this skill yet so I help her out. I'll basically say - "Iylah, it's time to roll-over, do you want to roll-over?" Then I'll subsequently gently roll her over from her back to her stomach.
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| Are you ready? Ready to roll-over? |
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| Here we go.... |
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| Almost there... Iylah usually grunts at this point - "unh, unh, unh".... |
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| Ta, dah!!! I made it!! |
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| Wow, check it out, a whole new perspective! |
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| Oh yeah.... I'm goin' places. Now if I could only figure out how to crawl!! |
Happy Tummy Time!!
PS - Both Iylah and I love the Sassy Baby Crib and floor mirror. It stands up easily on it's own and Iylah is highly entertained by the bee and lady bug because they make noise (yes that decoration in the lower left corner is supposedly a lady bug).
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