tummy time?

i was telling dh that reason i wanted the 3-d activity gym for the baby is because it's important for tummy time. and when he asked why tummy time was important, i had a hard time explaining it to him, cuz i'm not really sure. why is tummy time for your baby important?

Quoting toxiraindancer:“ i was telling dh that reason i wanted the 3-d activity gym for the baby is because it's important for ... [snip!] ... time was important, i had a hard time explaining it to him, cuz i'm not really sure. why is tummy time for your baby important?”

It helps strengthen their neck muscles by practicing lifting their head plus it keeps them from being on their back all the time so they don't get flat head or the hair on the back of their head doesn't rub all the time.

Quoting Steph - Secondbabybump:“ It helps strengthen their neck muscles by practicing lifting their head plus it keeps them from being ... [snip!] ... being on their back all the time so they don't get flat head or the hair on the back of their head doesn't rub all the time.”

Yep... what she said.

Quoting Steph - Secondbabybump:“ It helps strengthen their neck muscles by practicing lifting their head plus it keeps them from being ... [snip!] ... being on their back all the time so they don't get flat head or the hair on the back of their head doesn't rub all the time.”

exactly, plus it can prevent cradle cap!

Here is the wikipedia definition

Tummy time is a colloquial term for time used to encourage parents to ensure their babies spend time on their stomachs. Babies need to spend time on their stomachs. This helps to strengthen their posterior neck muscles and helps babies reach milestones like crawling faster[1]. Though babies who do not spend time on their stomachs eventually catch up physically, physical therapists say the first few months of life are an important time for babies to start to become aware of their bodies and begin to learn movement and balance.
With the advent of the advice not to place babies on their stomachs when putting them to sleep (in order to lessen the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome), experts have found that babies are spending less time on their stomachs. Parents are now being encouraged to ensure their babies receive tummy time while they are awake in order to counter this.

Quoting *Brenna*:“ exactly, plus it can prevent cradle cap!”

cradle cap is not caused by baby lying on his/her too much! it is like dandruff in babies- just a dry scalp mixing with natural oils in their scalp.

Quoting happy baby's mom:“ cradle cap is not caused by baby lying on his/her too much! it is like dandruff in babies- just a dry scalp mixing with natural oils in their scalp.”

I know that it doesn't CAUSE it, but it can contribute. when a baby is laying on the back of their head all the time that dry scaly skin doesn't get to heal

Quoting *Brenna*:“ I know that it doesn't CAUSE it, but it can contribute. when a baby is laying on the back of their head all the time that dry scaly skin doesn't get to heal”

possible but not likely

thank you ladies

how old should i start doing tummy time?

Quoting toxiraindancer:“ how old should i start doing tummy time?”

anytime at all- you can lay the baby on your lap tummy down so she/he won't feel like you are not there- this is also a good way to burp them or soothe a gassy tummy.

Yep you can start as soon as you think they are ready, I would put my son's bellyon the edge of my boppy so that if his head wasn't being held up it wasn't faceplant city and he would kick his feet and occasionally lift his head to get a better look around. Here's a video of him actually when he was younger and you can get the idea.

Quoting Steph - Secondbabybump:“ Yep you can start as soon as you

awww. thanx for sharing. that's actually a really good idea..