Supervised tummy time is when you encourage your baby to play on their tummy while they're awake. This helps your baby grow and is a nice chance for you to have fun together face-to-face! You can do tummy time in small parts during the day (as much as your baby likes), but you should aim for at least 40 to 60 minutes in total every day (not in one go). Sometimes babies aren't sure about tummy time at first. To make this time enjoyable and beneficial, choosing the right toys can make all the difference.
Tummy Time Toys for Babies
From the moment babies are born, there are lots of toys for tummy time! These toys can help babies get better at tummy time by giving them support to strengthen their neck and back muscles. With these toys, your baby can have fun exploring and playing with soft, textured characters, silicone teethers, and peek-and-see mirrors.
When your baby is on their tummy, it's good to hold a toy in front of them to catch their eye. This helps them lift their head and try to reach for it. You can also put toys in a circle around your baby during tummy time so they can reach out in all directions.
Also, making sounds during tummy time helps your baby's senses grow. There are toys for tummy time that make special sounds, like musical notes and songs. These fun toys also teach your baby about colours and letters, and they get to practice using their hands and senses. The visual and tactile discovery helps in developing fine motor coordination as well.
Best Toy Options:
When it comes to tummy time, play mats are the top choice for your baby. They come in a wide variety of options. Tummy time play mats typically feature a padded pillow for ideal support, along with cuddly play friends and a big mirror to encourage lifting, reaching, and grabbing. It's the perfect way to kickstart strengthening your baby's arm, neck, and tummy muscles.
There are also tummy time play mats that come with music options and lights, encouraging eye-tracking while playing a soft and sweet lullaby. The repositionable soft toys on the mat encourage batting and grabbing.
Soft Books with High-Contrast Images:
Soft books with bold, high-contrast images are perfect for capturing your baby's attention during tummy time. These books stimulate their visual development and encourage them to lift their head to explore the colourful pages. Look for books with textures and crinkly sounds to add extra sensory stimulation.
Mirrors are fantastic tummy time toys as they allow babies to see themselves and engage in self-discovery. A large, unbreakable mirror placed in front of your baby will encourage them to lift their head and reach out to touch their reflection. This not only promotes physical development but also boosts their sense of self-awareness.
Activity Gyms:
Activity gyms with dangling toys and interactive features are excellent for tummy time play. These gyms provide various textures, sounds, and shapes for your baby to explore while on their tummy. Look for gyms with adjustable arches to customise the height and angle of the toys to suit your baby's preferences.
Rattles and grasping toys are perfect for encouraging your baby to reach and grab during tummy time. Choose toys with different textures, shapes, and sounds to engage their senses and promote fine motor skills development. Soft, easy-to-grasp rattles are ideal for little hands just learning to explore.
Tummy time is a valuable opportunity for your baby to strengthen their muscles and explore the world around them. By incorporating engaging toys into tummy time play, you can make this experience enjoyable and beneficial for your little one. Invest in a variety of toys that stimulate their senses and encourage active play to support their growth and development.
Creating a fun, safe play space can go a long way to helping baby enjoy tummy time. But, don't forget, the most important thing to do to help little one enjoy tummy time is get down and play with them! Enjoy this special bonding time together.
