When should you do Tummy Time for your Baby: Before Feeding or After Feeding? 

Babies are a whole world on their own, and rightly said that it requires a village to raise a child. The little cuties are still growing, and their body systems are not fully developed. Your child will need your assistance to burp as they can't burp on their own, and the complicated part is that they can't even express their needs. You might get worried with the prolonged hiccups but don't worry new moms, your baby may have hiccups due to overfeeding or eating too quickly, which causes stomach enlargement, and as a result, they get hiccups. You can help your baby by laying them on their tummies for a while, as it is an important exercise for tiny tots.

What is tummy time?

You might be wondering what tummy time means when the baby is placed on their stomach while awake and someone is near them or to take care. This time out is crucial as it prevents flat spots on the back of the baby's head and helps to develop your baby's neck and shoulder muscles so they can easily sit, crawl, and walk sooner. Read the article till end to know when to start infant tummy time, when to do tummy time, and how to put baby down for tummy time.

Allowing your baby time to lay on their tummy is essential for their growth and development. It should be a daily activity for your baby and should be emphasized.

Here are some things you need to know about tummy time:

When to start tummy time for your baby?

Tummy time can be started as soon as you bring your baby home from the hospital. However, it would help if you began slowly. The younger the baby is, the sooner it will get tired. So, don't overdo the time.

When to do tummy time for your baby?

Babies should not be allowed tummy time on an empty stomach. The babies should be fed properly. After feeding, wait 30 minutes, and then you can do tummy time for your baby. Doing baby time right after eating can make your baby spit up. Thus, it is better to wait for around half an hour.

How to put baby down for tummy time?

1. You can do tummy time for your baby after waiting for 30 to 45 minutes post-feeding them. Just choose a time when they are most alert and active.

2. A play gym is the best place to lay your baby on the tummy. A play gym is perfect because it is soft, comfortable, and skin-friendly for your baby. It is colorful and has various toys of different shapes that keep your baby engaged during their tummy time, and babies don't cry or act fussy. You can try the Mylo Essentials Baby Bedding Set with Mosquito Net and Play Gym Hanging Toy since it has soft bedding that makes your baby feel comfortable. Its mosquito net protects your baby against mosquitoes, and its hanging toys enhance your baby's muscular development.
3. Keep them down for around three to five minutes in one round. You can increase the time and number of repetitions with time as your baby grows.

Benefits of infant tummy time

Tummy time is crucial for the baby's proper growth and development, and the following are its benefits:

• It helps to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.
• It promotes gross motor skills.
• It can also prevent the flat head syndrome.
• It encourages baby to develop strength needs for rolling over, sitting up, crawling and ultimately walking
• It helps to prevent stomach distention and allows proper digestion of food.

Always be there to supervise your baby during tummy time. You can also sing or talk to them and hold their hands while they are at it. It makes them feel secure and loved. You can also click memorable shots of your newborn baby while they enjoy their tummy time.

References

Hewitt, L., Kerr, E., Stanley, R. M., & Okely, A. D. (2020). Tummy Time and Infant Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 145(6), e20192168. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-2168

Hewitt, L., Stanley, R. M., Cliff, D., & Okely, A. D. (2019). Objective measurement of tummy time in infants (0-6 months): A validation study. PLoS ONE, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.021097