Are you a new parent trying to ensure your little one gets the best start in life? If so, tummy time with Boppy might be the perfect activity to help support their development. This fun and interactive exercise can strengthen your baby’s muscles and stimulate their senses as they experience all the world offers.
Tummy time is essential for your baby’s physical and cognitive development. It helps to build their neck, arm, and back muscles, which they will need for future milestones like sitting up and crawling. Additionally, tummy time can improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination while promoting sensory experiences such as exploring textures and objects with their hands.
Here, we’ll explain how to do tummy time with Boppy and why it’s essential for infant stimulation and growth. So read on!
What Will You Need?
To start, you’ll need to gather a few essential items:
- A Boppy pillow
- A clean blanket or towel
- Baby-safe toys and objects
Ensure the area where you will do tummy time is clear of any hazards. Choose a safe and comfortable place like the floor or bed.
10 Easy Steps on How to Do Tummy Time With Boppy
Step 1. Prepare the Area
Before beginning tummy time with your baby, ensuring the area is safe and comfortable for them is crucial. Ensure you have a Boppy pillow or other soft surface that your baby can lie on. You should also remove any sharp objects or items that could pose a choking hazard from the area. Additionally, you should ensure that there are no distractions in the room so your baby can focus on their tummy time activities.
Step 2. Place Baby on Boppy Pillow
Once you have prepared the area, place your baby in the center of the Boppy pillow with their head facing up and their legs slightly bent at the knees. Make sure to support their neck and back so they are comfortable and secure. If your baby resists being placed on their stomach, try talking to them in a soothing voice or singing a lullaby to help calm them down.
Step 3. Engage with Your Baby
Once your baby is comfortable on their stomach, engaging with them during tummy time is essential. Talk to them soothingly or sing songs while gently rubbing their back or playing peek-a-boo with them. You can also use toys such as rattles or colorful blocks to help keep them entertained and engaged during tummy time sessions.
Step 4. Monitor Progress
It is essential to monitor your baby’s progress during tummy time sessions so you can make adjustments as needed. Over time, you may find that your baby needs less support when lying on their stomach or becomes more interested in engaging with toys during tummy time sessions.
If you notice any changes in how your baby responds to tummy time activities, adjust accordingly so they get the most out of each session.
Step 5. Allow for Breaks
It is essential to give your baby breaks during tummy time sessions so they do not become too overwhelmed or frustrated. If your baby becomes fussy, give them a break by turning them onto their back or holding them until they calm down.
You can also make tummy time more enjoyable by placing a mirror in front of your baby so they can see themselves or adding some music to the mix.
Step 6. Try Different Positions
Tummy time doesn’t always have to be done on a flat surface. Varying the positions can help your baby engage different muscle groups and prevent them from getting bored. Place your baby on the Boppy pillow in a slightly inclined position.
Remember, the goal is to make tummy time a fun experience for your little one. So, feel free to experiment with different positions and activities that keep your baby interested and engaged. Always ensure their safety and comfort throughout the process.
Step 7. Gradually Increase Time
It’s important to remember that tummy time should be a gradual process. Begin with a few minutes at a time, gradually increasing as your baby gets comfortable and more robust.
A good rule of thumb is to aim for about 15-20 minutes of tummy time each day, which can be broken down into several shorter sessions throughout the day. If your baby becomes distressed or tired, give them a break and try again later. Always follow your baby’s cues and never force them to do tummy time for longer than they can handle.
Step 8. Incorporate Tummy Time into Your Daily Routine
Start incorporating tummy time into your daily routine to make it a regular part of your baby’s day. You can introduce tummy time after naptimes or diaper changes, for instance. This way, your baby will start expecting it and associate it with pleasant experiences.
Remember always to supervise your baby during these sessions and ensure they’re comfortable and happy. The key is consistency: the more regular the tummy time, the quicker your baby will adapt and the more benefits they will reap.
Step 9. Encourage Your Baby with Toys and Interaction
To make tummy time more engaging for your baby, introduce a variety of baby-safe toys and objects. Placing colorful toys, soft books, or shiny mirrors within their reach can stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to lift their head, reach out, and grab.
Not only does this make tummy time more enjoyable, but it also helps to develop their fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and hand-eye coordination. Remember to interact with your baby during this time, talk to them, make funny faces, or play peek-a-boo to keep them entertained and encouraged.
Step 10. Celebrate Progress and Remain Patient
Finally, always remember to celebrate your baby’s progress, no matter how small it may seem. Each attempt at lifting their head, reaching for a toy, or spending a minute longer in tummy time is a significant achievement that brings them closer to their developmental milestones. Patience and positive reinforcement are crucial during this process.
It’s important to remember that each baby is unique and progresses at their own pace.
So, take a step back, don’t rush the process, and celebrate each milestone as it comes. Your encouragement and praise will motivate your baby to keep trying and loving their tummy time with the Boppy pillow.
5 Additional Tips and Tricks
- Use a Familiar Environment: Initially, try to do tummy time in a familiar environment where your baby feels safe and secure. This can be their nursery or play area. Gradually, you can introduce new environments for tummy time to promote adaptability.
- Take Advantage of Wakeful Periods: The best time to do tummy time is when your baby is awake and alert. Try to avoid doing tummy time immediately after feeding to prevent spitting up.
- Turn Boppy Time into Family Time: Involve siblings or other family members during tummy time. It can be a great way to bond and help your baby develop social skills.
- Vary the Toys: Regularly introducing new toys can keep your baby’s tummy time exciting and stimulating. Ensure all toys are safe and appropriate for your baby’s age.
- Document the Journey: Consider taking pictures or recording videos of your baby during tummy time. This can be a fun way to document their progress and share these precious moments with loved ones.
Remember, the most important thing is that your baby enjoys their tummy time. So, keep it positive, encouraging, and fun!
5 Things You Should Avoid
- Avoid Forcing Tummy Time: Never force your baby to do tummy time if they’re visibly upset or unwell. It’s essential to be patient and understanding of your baby’s needs and emotions.
- Avoid Distractions: Try to limit distractions during tummy time. This is a crucial time for your baby to focus on developing their motor skills and strength, so it’s best to make the most of it rather than being a time for background noise or TV watching.
- Avoid Unsafe Surfaces: Never place the Boppy pillow on an elevated or unstable surface. The safest place for tummy time is usually on the floor, where there is no risk of falling.
- Avoid Leaving Baby Unattended: Always supervise your baby during tummy time. It’s not a time for you to leave the room or become distracted. Your full attention should be on your baby’s safety and enjoyment.
- Avoid Overdoing It: While aiming for consistency and gradually increasing tummy time is good, avoid pushing your baby too hard. If they show signs of fatigue or distress, it’s time to take a break. Tummy time should be a fun and positive experience, not a strenuous workout.
By avoiding these things, you can ensure your baby has a safe and enjoyable tummy experience with the Boppy pillow. Always follow your baby’s lead and make it a positive experience for them. With patience, consistency, and love, your baby will soon become a pro at tummy time with their Boppy.
Conclusion
Everyone can benefit from tummy time, and the Boppy can make it an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby! As you become comfortable with tummy time, you will get better at it and become more confident about interacting with your baby while they enjoys a fun activity.
So grab your Boppy and start today –you won’t regret it! Even if you’re a first-time parent or just need some reassurance that tummy time is a great way to bond with your baby, don’t hesitate to talk to your pediatrician or certified sleep consultant for their professional opinion on the matter.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the benefits and importance of tummy time with Boppy, as well as providing valuable tips and tricks to make it a successful and enjoyable experience for your baby.
Now that you know how to do tummy time with boppy, why not try it and see the results firsthand? Not only will it help strengthen their muscles, but it’ll bring some quality bonding time that can’t be beaten!
