What are the Pros and Cons of ‘Tummy Time’?
When children have gained sufficient control of their body to get onto their tummy, they would prefer to stay on their tummy.
‘Tummy Time’ refers to putting healthy infants on their tummy before they can do it by themselves.
Understandably, the head and trunk control of these children has not yet been sufficiently developed and parental help is needed to maintain the position.
Pros
It provides an opportunity for your child to learn to balance themselves on their tummy.
It provides an opportunity for your child to learn to use their arms and legs for support.
It could potentially support the next stage of your child’s development.
Cons
If your child’s head control is still poor, they could stiffen their whole body in attempts to lift their head up.
It would not support your child with figuring out how to roll from lying on their back to their tummy, which by nature’s intent precedes and prepares your child for spending more time on their tummy.
It could increase the spasticity of an already spastic child making it harder for them to execute voluntary movements, especially that of their arms and legs.
It could create a habit of ‘parasitic’ contraction in your child that could actually slow down their development.
If your child dislikes this experience, they could in time develop an aversion to being on their tummy.
Unless your child can get out of it freely, it could create a feeling of helplessness.
In conclusion
As you can clearly see, the negatives far outweigh the positive aspects of practicing ‘tummy time’ with young infants.
Better yet, as parents we can support our infants to play on their backs so that they are given the opportunity to explore the world around them, doing things that they are able to do themselves.
Over time, these children will develop movements and problem solving skills the way nature intended!
