tum, tum, tummy time!

Newborns and tummy time? 
​is it a good idea?

YES! A lot of people think you shouldn't do tummy time until they're a few months old but you can actually start tummy time right away! We had to take Calvin to physical therapy once he was born because he was breech and never flipped. We found out his shoulder was lodged against his neck in the womb and he had this major flat spot behind his ear. The hospital pediatrician and physical therapist also noticed that his neck was stiff. So after we were discharged we started physical therapy. She actually recommended starting tummy time as soon as we can. 

Why is tummy time important and recommended?

Tummy time strengthens your baby's muscles! It's important to do a few minutes of tummy time from the beginning and building their stamina. It will help strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles! It will also help prevent flat spots around their head. It's also a great bonding time for you and baby. Don't forget to cheer them on! You'll be surprised to see how strong they are from the beginning! I know I sure was!
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October 8th- lazy boy didn't want to

October 17th

October 20th

November 7th

November 10th

What's recommended?

• Have baby start tummy time on your chest! We had him on our chest before a feeding or throughout the day. It's great and motivating because they are close to you and release more oxytocin! 
• We used a boppy nursing pillow or lounger to help prop him up. Our physical therapist recommended this because it helps them see a different angle of the world. At the beginning it helped support him a bit more than just flat on the couch or mat. 
• Do it often! 
• Use toys or props to motivate them. As they continue to do it, they'll start reaching and grabbing for things.
• Find out when they're the happiest and do it. For us it was right when he woke up or right before bed!

November 21st

November 30th

December 1st

December 10th

December 19th

I should've captured more or better pictures of him but I didn't. I have a ton of pictures of Calvin on my husband's chest without a shirt when he was first born but I won't post those- HAHA. But the encouraging part of this whole process is that because we started so early, he strengthened his neck and shoulder muscles very quickly. He was able to have full range of movement in both directions and the flat spot behind his ear filled out as he grew. We were able to stop PT for his torticollis pretty quickly! His physical therapist believes that he was able to start rolling over from his belly to back before he was three months old because we started so early. But remember that every baby's development is different!