I recently spoke with Teresa Riley, a Child Development Disabilities Consultant in Arizona. I asked her, “Is there any advice which you find yourself repeatedly giving the couples you consult with?”
She answered almost immediately, “Yes. I tell them that they aren’t giving their babies enough tummy time.”
Now that wasn’t an answer I expected. Tummy time?
Fear of SIDS
Teresa explained that out of fear of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), couples are keeping their babies almost exclusively in a face-up position, lying on their backs. This is understandable, because it stems from the desire to protect their infants. According to the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, rates of SIDS have declined by more than 50 percent since the “Back to Sleep” campaign was initiated. The “Back to Sleep” campaign targeted new parents, daycare workers, family members, health professionals, and all people who work with infants, in an effort to teach them the importance of putting infants to sleep on their backs.
The trouble is that the campaign was so effective that parents have become fearful of allowing their infants any time on their tummies at all. A large number of babies are spending their entire day and night on their backs: in infant carriers, car seats, strollers, and in their cribs at bedtime.
“Flat Head Syndrome” and other Problems
Significant problems have resulted. Teresa told me they were seeing infants with “flat head” syndrome, where the back of a child’s head is flattened from continued contact with a flat surface. Even a padded surface puts pressure against a baby’s head, and the skull of an infant is quite malleable. So eventually it molds itself and becomes misshapen. The remedy for this problem is that the child must wear a specialized helmet, often for many months, to help reshape the skull. And sometimes the skull never completely regains a normal shape.
Teresa said that they were also seeing babies who were lacking in neck and arm muscle strength, which is necessary for a baby to learn to crawl and pull himself to a stand. The lack of “tummy time” was creating developmental delays with respect to rolling over, crawling, and standing up. All babies, and especially those with genetic anomalies, syndromes, or other disabilities, need tummy time!
Tummy Time Tips
- Always supervise your infant while she’s on her tummy.
- Provide a firm, flat surface such as a baby blanket over a carpeted floor. A couch cushion or pillow is too unstable and soft for the child to “push up” against properly.
- Start with just three or five minutes twice a day, and slowly build up to longer sessions.
- Try putting a rolled blanket or towel under the baby’s shoulders to give support. This will help him to lift and turn his head.
- Lay down facing your baby and smile and talk to her, encouraging her to look up and lift her head. Music or toys can also be used to attract her attention.
A Final Reminder
Infants should always be put to sleep on their backs! But it’s important to give your baby daily tummy time, too.
A big thanks to Teresa Riley for her insight and wisdom!
Kristyn Crow