"Tummicise"
Opening
Would you believe that there are exercises you can do with your new baby that can help strengthen their necks, backs, and body? You are probably doing this exercise now and don't even realize that you are. Well, I am here to tell you that this infant workout does exist. Tummy time, it's just that easy. Simply by placing your child on their stomach you can increase the control they have in their neck, strengthen their back, and even help with their focus.
When should you start doing tummy time?
Soon after the baby is born you should do tummy time. Don't treat it like an exercise instead, make it fun for your baby. At first, all your baby is going to do is squirm like a cute little slug but, after a few months they should be holding their head up and pushing up with their forearms. Prop yourself up at an angle and place your child's tummy on yours and watch them go. Play peek-a-boo with them as your child's head pops up and down. You are not just exercising your bonding with your little one and we all know how important that is. Just by taking a few moments in different parts of the day when your baby is happy and fed to do this will go a long way to increase motor skills for your child.
Tummy time is important for several reasons
First, it leads to head and neck strength which will be essential in being able to focus on you and the sound of your voice. Also, when your baby begins to crawl they will have the strength and endurance they need to hold up the weight of their head while propelling across the floor. Lay your child on the floor on their tummy and you get down at their eye level. Start calling out their name and watch how they respond to your voice. Babies are very attentive to the sounds around them especially the sound of mommy's voice. There is a lot of benefits in your child's development that can be unlocked just by spending a little time on their stomachs. Even though this seems so small and insignificant in your child's growth it's the little things that always make the most difference.
What other things can I do as a tummy time exercise?
To encourage head lifting try laying face to face with your child. Also, you can take a toy and place it slightly above his head, move it from side to side to help with head turning. Another thing you can also try is to cradle your baby on their stomach in your arms while you carry them or when you're trying to lay them down for a nap you can place them across your lap to soothe them. Your baby's development and growth should always be essential and tummy time is just one of the ways to be assured of that.
Closing
There are plenty of other tummy time exercises you can use to help develop your baby's motor skills and they won't even feel like exercise. Most likely, you already do all these things every day with your child. But, in the off chance that you don't please take a moment to research all the benefits of tummy time exercise. Don't just take my word for it. Take the time and find out for yourself. These essentials will be great for your child's development and the rewards will be far more than just a bonding moment with your special little person.