Body Movement

The Importance of Tummy Time

These days, as parents are encouraged to let their babies sleep on their backs, it's important to have some supervised "tummy time" while they're awake, starting with just a few minutes at a time. This allows your baby to exercise different muscles, including the ones that will help him push up with his arms and lift his head and chest. If at first he doesn't enjoy laying flat on his belly on a soft, padded surface, you can also lay him across your lap or on your chest, which has the added benefit of giving you some bonding time, especially if you are skin to skin. By the time your baby is three months old, you should see him lifting his head during tummy time, as well as making smoother arm and leg movements and pushing down with his legs when his feet touch a hard surface.

Has your baby achieved the following Body Movement developmental milestones yet? If yes, check off all the skill(s) he has already mastered to date!