Want to know how to make tummy time a happy time? Read now on the GymbaROO-KindyROO blog.

We’ve all heard it: “Don’t forget tummy time!”

Tummy time has long been recommended as an important part of a baby’s day, particularly for little ones who aren’t yet on the move. And current Australian guidelines still recommend supervised tummy time while babies are awake.

But perhaps it’s time to take some of the pressure off. Because babies don’t develop through one particular exercise or position. They develop through movement.

Being held. Carried. Reaching. Kicking. Turning. Looking. Pushing. Playing. And gradually discovering all the incredible things their little bodies can do.

So while tummy time is valuable, it doesn’t have to mean placing an unhappy baby face-down on the floor and starting a timer. The goal isn’t to “complete” tummy time. The goal is to give babies lots of varied opportunities to move.

So, why tummy time?

Safe-sleep recommendations rightly place babies on their backs to sleep. During awake time, we can then give babies opportunities to experience their bodies in different positions.

On their tummy, babies can practise lifting and turning their head, pushing through their arms, reaching, looking around and moving against gravity.

But here’s the good news: tummy time doesn’t only happen on the floor.

Your baby can lie tummy-down on your chest. Across your lap. You can carry them in different positions, get down face-to-face or support them during floor play.

Different positions give babies different opportunities to move, look, reach and explore.

Interested in learning what we offer in our classes for babies? Read more here.

But my baby HATES tummy time

You are definitely not alone. Some babies happily hang out on their tummies. Others make their feelings known approximately three seconds in. So, take the pressure off.

Try tummy-to-tummy on your chest. Get down on the floor with them. Sing. Talk. Pull a ridiculous face. Add a favourite toy. Pick them up when they’ve had enough and try again later.

As we often say at GymbaROO: “Short bursts of tummy time, often.”

Movement doesn’t need to be forced to be valuable. It can be responsive, playful and part of everyday life.

Think beyond tummy time

Instead of asking, “Has my baby done enough tummy time today?” Try, “Has my baby had lots of opportunities to move, interact and experience different positions today?”

That could be tummy play, reaching and kicking on the floor, lying on your chest, being held and carried, turning towards your voice, reaching for a toy or beginning to roll and explore independently.

There is no single magical movement. Babies learn about their bodies by using them.

At GymbaROO-KindyROO, we want those early movement experiences to be something babies and their grown-ups enjoy together — not another developmental box parents feel pressured to tick.

Movement, connection and play while awake.

Learn more about our Baby Programs here.