{"id":116786,"date":"2024-01-05T16:50:56","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maryfreebed.com\/?page_id=116786"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:54:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:54:31","slug":"tummy-time","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/tummy-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to Tummy Time"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-kids-child.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-116786","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"body_sections":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content_and_image_overlap","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content_and_image_overlap":{"text_holder":{"content":"

Tummy Time at Mary Free Bed Kids<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\nTummy time helps babies develop the strength and motor skills they need for developmental milestones like rolling, crawling and sitting. At Mary Free Bed Kids, our pediatric therapists provide guidance and support for families to ensure tummy time is safe and effective for every baby."},"image":116778}},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content_editor":"

Why Tummy Time Matters<\/span><\/h2>\r\nSpending time on their tummy helps babies strengthen neck, shoulder, arm and back muscles. It also promotes motor development, encourages coordination and helps prevent flat spots on the head. Babies who consistently engage in tummy time often reach developmental milestones with improved confidence and stability.\r\n

<\/h2>\r\n

How We Support Families<\/h2>\r\nOur Pediatric Therapy Team works with caregivers to create tummy time routines that fit naturally into daily life.\r\n\r\nWe teach:\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Positioning and safe techniques.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Ways to support babies who may resist tummy time.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Strategies for babies with special medical or developmental needs.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nOur goal is to make tummy time interactive, playful and fun.\r\n

    <\/h2>\r\n

    When to Start<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\r\nTummy time can begin as soon as a baby comes home from the hospital. Early sessions may last just a few seconds, gradually increasing as your baby becomes stronger and more comfortable. Our specialists help families understand what is age\u2011appropriate and how to safely progress over time.\r\n

    <\/h2>\r\n

    Tummy Time Tips<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Incorporate tummy time into your daily routines like diaper changes or playtime.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Start with short sessions for only a few seconds, then gradually increase duration.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Play with your baby using toys or mirrors to keep them engaged.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Use a rolled towel or positioning aid to provide additional comfort and support.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Make sure tummy time is supervised and takes place on a safe surface.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      <\/h2>\r\n

      Who May Need Extra Help<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\r\nYour baby may need extra support during tummy time if they:\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • Were born prematurely.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Experience motor delays.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Were diagnosed with torticollis.<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Experience muscle weakness.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"feature_row","vertical_design":false,"text_holder":{"subtitle":"","title":"Positioning During Daily Activities ","content":"Like all of us, your baby needs to eat, sleep and be active. The way your baby is positioned during these tasks helps build strong muscles.\r\n\r\nWatch the video to see proper alignment for the following daily activities:\r\nFeeding\r\nBurping\r\nDiapering\r\nRiding in a car seat\r\nSleeping","button":""},"image":116783,"youtube_id":"Im-2U7-KHsc"},{"acf_fc_layout":"feature_row","vertical_design":false,"text_holder":{"subtitle":"","title":"Positioning During Playtime ","content":"Your baby learns to move by playing on the floor on their tummy, back and sides. Remember, positioning is important!\r\n\r\nWatch the video for positioning for the following playtime activities:\r\nTummy\r\nTummy \u2013 over a Boppy\u2122 pillow\r\nPlaying on side\r\nBack\r\nBack, with feet support\r\nBack, with towel support\r\nPlaying with toys\r\nSitting\r\nCarrying or holding","button":""},"image":116782,"youtube_id":"eNMtlcDI_VM"},{"acf_fc_layout":"feature_row","vertical_design":false,"text_holder":{"subtitle":"","title":"Tummy Time Alternatives ","content":"At first, your baby might have a hard time staying on their tummy. They can tire easily and cry.\r\n\r\nTummy time alternatives help make it a little easier \u2013 at least until your little one is strong enough to lay on the floor. Start by putting your baby on your chest or lap, then move to a blanket.\r\n\r\nWatch the video to learn positioning for the following activities:\r\nLaying baby across your lap\r\nBaby laying on your chest\r\nBaby laying on an exercise ball","button":""},"image":116785,"youtube_id":"HBJs4l6Brxg"},{"acf_fc_layout":"wysiwyg","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content_editor":"

        How to Begin<\/span><\/b><\/h2>\r\nIf you have questions about tummy time, notice your baby struggling or want support from a pediatric specialist, the first step is a developmental evaluation. Our team will assess your child's needs and answer any questions you may have. From there, the Pediatric Therapy Team will create a personalized treatment plan for your child to support their growth and development.\r\n

        <\/h2>\r\n

        Schedule Pediatric Therapy Support<\/h2>\r\nSchedule care today to connect with our Pediatric Therapy Team and begin building a strong foundation for movement and growth"},{"acf_fc_layout":"center_callout","section_options":{"wrapper_width":"","custom_class":"","section_id":""},"content":"

        Ask For Mary<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\nIf you have concerns about your baby\u2019s development, talk to your pediatrician or family physician. Your doctor may refer your little one to Mary Free Bed\u2019s outpatient <\/span>p<\/span>ediatric <\/span>p<\/span>rogram for physical or occupational therapy.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>"}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/116786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=116786"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/116786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125299,"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/116786\/revisions\/125299"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maryfreebed.com\/kids\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=116786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}