Tummy time is an important development stage in a newborn baby boy or baby girl’s life. This activity is essential in building strong arms and legs that will eventually lead to crawling and walking. Not all babies take to tummy time right off the bat so parents have to actively encourage their little ones to spend more time on their stomachs to avoid a delay in the progress of basic motor skills.

Pediatrics agree that tummy time for babies helps them to learn to push up, roll over, sit up, crawl and pull to a standing position. All of these skills are necessary in preparing a newborn baby to eventually walk so the more time they spend on their tummy the sooner they’ll be up and walking.

However, some babies tend to sleep on the backs and resist the switch to being on their stomachs. In this case it is advised that parents encourage the baby to spend more time on his or her tummy through activities and games.

A great way to start is to simply be there with your baby. If left alone a baby will tend to resort to whatever position he finds more comfortable and if that is lying on his back that’s where he’ll end up. But, if you are there with him and gently roll him on his tummy and encourage him to crawl to you or a favorite toy the more comfortable he’ll become with being on his tummy.

Another good idea is to have an activity mat or soft baby blanket on the ground to make it more comfortable for him to be on his tummy. Familiar objects will make your baby boy or baby girl more comfortable and when they are relaxed and at ease they are more likely to engage in an activity that tests their curiosity. Providing entertainment in the form of a colorful pop-up book, blocks, stuffed animal or squishy toy will entice the little one to reach out and begin the important first movements towards crawling and eventually walking.