By this month, your baby should be smiling at you as well as others. Your little one should also be tracking objects well. You will notice that your baby will smile back at you and at others too. Have you seen your baby reach out to grab objects yet? Which hand did they use, their left or right hand?
One of the things that can become a habit, is placing your baby into an object that will contain them and forgetting to do tummy time. Some of these objects are swings, bouncers, cribs, and high chairs for older infants that are 6 months and older. All of these objects help with the containment of your baby for safety, but while your baby is in a contained object, their spine, neck and body are not moving. All of this delays your baby’s development, which includes skills like rolling, crawling, sitting up and walking.
Safety During Tummy Time
I always prefer the floor for tummy time because the baby cannot fall off from anywhere. If your baby is in childcare or being cared by family or friends, emphasize the importance of not always holding the baby, but making time for tummy time.
Exercises That Help When Your Baby Hates Tummy Time
Most babies have been used to being cuddled and snuggled by being held by you and other family members. They are naturally not going to like tummy time because they are uncomfortable and have to work hard. There are other things you can do to still get tummy time in, yet strengthen your baby’s back and neck muscles as well as gaining head control.
- Use a baby carrier-This allows for your baby to use more head control and also gives you the chance to get some chores done, by allowing your hands to be free.
- Place your baby across your lap, while on their tummy.
- Place baby on their tummy while on top of your chest
- Place baby on their tummy, while on your forearm.
- Use a yoga ball at this age, holding your baby at their waist to help them balance.
Reminders:
It is time to switch out the bottle nipples to 3-6 months.
It is also a good time to move up the carseat crotch belt. Check your baby’s crotch area, when placed in their carseat. If it seems too tight, this could be an indication why they might be fussy every time they get into their carseat.
Also, they might be ready to retire their 0-3 months clothing and move onto 3-6 months. Clothing is not based solely on age, so don’t let that confuse you. You should switch out clothing, by how quickly they put on weight. It should look comfortable, not tight. There should be a little room for movement, but your baby should not be swimming in their clothes, either.
