It's "Tummy Time" Time!

There is one go-to home activity I recommend parents do with their new infant child. And that is “tummy time.”

“Tummy time” helps strengthen the upper cervical spine and Nerve System overall, especially input going into the brain.

While “tummy time” is important and is something every parent should do with their infant, I have found through my experience that it is something that is becoming lost common sense. “Tummy time” helps improve extensor muscle engagement and stimulates new neurological connections in the brain. 

Our “preset” position, a spillover from our time in the womb, is one that involves more flexion. The majority of carriers, bassinets, strollers, etc. promote this flexion position and can contribute to the retaining of primitive reflexes. 

“Tummy time” and other extension type positions help engage the body and brain in new and productive ways. Flexion reinforces old nerve patterns while extension propagates new nerve patterns.  

The “tummy time” activity is done just how it sounds: The infant will spend time on their belly. 

If you are uncomfortable about putting your child on their tummy, please don’t fret. The infant will instinctively turn their head to the left or right to assist in breathing. The infant at this stage will usually not lift their head up off the ground but will turn towards sounds they know such as the voice of the mother. 

You can start doing tummy time by having the infant resting on your stomach while on their tummy. If you haven’t done that much tummy time at this stage, the child might get a little agitated at first, but should soon adjust to the position.

I don’t like to regiment “tummy time” because it is one of those things that can be done as much as is convenient for you and your infant. When you have downtime between feedings, family time and other activities, try and allow the infant to rest on their tummy as much as possible. The infant will often find this position comfortable and will often take naps on their tummy.

- Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP

Related Blogs:

1. Brain Development and Pediatric Chiropractic

2. Can Infants Get Vertebral Subluxations?

3. Birth Imprints

4. Press Release: ICPA Certification

5. Safety and Effectiveness of Pediatric Chiropractic

Jarek Esarco, DC, CACCP is a pediatric, family wellness and upper cervical specific Chiropractor. He is an active member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Dr. Jarek has postgraduate certification in Pediatric Chiropractic through the ICPA. Dr. Jarek also has postgraduate certification in the HIO Specific Brain Stem technique through The TIC Institute. Dr. Jarek is happily married to his wife Regina. They live in Youngstown, Ohio with their daughter Ruby.