Floortime is More than Tummy Time!

We all know that tummy time is important. Babies that have more tummy time develop stronger core muscles and typically hit milestones faster than babies that have less tummy time. Though keep in mine, development is not a race! There are endless resources on how to make tummy time more enjoyable - please comment below if you’d like me to share more on that specifically. 

What I have found is that sidelying is just as important as tummy time for baby’s development! Spending time in all positions is so important for baby’s sensorimotor development. 

Benefits of sidelying:

• Stretches out shoulder and neck muscles

• Brings hands to midline

• Relieves pressure from back of head

• Encourages core engagement

• Orients vision to midline

• Prepares baby for rolling

• Less gravity making reaching easier

• Can make sidelying breastfeeding more comfortable for baby when sidelying for play is part of their routine

One of my favorite things to teach parents is how to roll babies from back to their sides, and all the way onto their bellies. Rolling in and out of positions is one of the easiest ways to incorporate vestibular (sense of movement and balance) and proprioceptive (body awareness/muscle and joint pressure) input into purposeful play with your little one. 

2-4 months is a great period to offer an O-ball or teether to explore while in sidelying, while setting up a mirror for baby to see themselves in while in sidelying. Let me know if you try playing in sidelying!