Why It’s NOT Just About Tummy Time: The Importance of Side Play, Vertical Play, and Back Play
Tummy time is SUPER important, it helps set a major foundation through developing back, core, neck and shoulder strength and stability, but it’s NOT the end all, be all! Tummy time can be challenging for various reasons (reflux, constipation, torticollis, tension, etc.) so it gets a lot of attention, BUT like everything else, we need variety to be well rounded and balance individuals.
Each position provides it’s on unique challenges and helps to develop mobility, stability, strength, function, and coordination in different areas of the body. As adults, if we were learning a full body, functional movement, we wouldn’t train in ONE plane of movement (front to back, side to side, or up and down) we’d work on them all! For example, imagine doing hundreds of push ups each day as an adult and training LITERALLY nothing else. Do you think you’d be a balanced individual? OR do you think you’d have some slightly dysfunctional patterns and difficulty with certain movements?
So, let’s talk about why we want to get those babies on their sides, backs, and vertical AS WELL as on their tummies to help them explore, grow, and thrive!
Back Play
easiest way to learn to track objects/people
easiest way to learn where center is (head in midline ~3mo.)
Develop tummy muscles by playing with feet (also gets that pelvis forward and backward)
Learn with play with toys at the center of our body and reach across body for toys
Learn to explore surroundings with our body (freely able to move all parts of our body - kicking, moving arms, etc.)
Sidelying Play
Helps round out the rib cage (EXTRA important for NICU babies)
Provides different visual/neurological input
GREAT for babies with reflux who don’t tolerate tummy time (with proper positioning, can help with flinging back)
Easiest position to being exploring hands and playing with hands at the center of their body
*Common to naturally get some side time with breast feeding, but try adding in breast or bottle feeding in side lying if possible!
Vertical Play
Babies under 10 weeks can do short bouts of assisted sitting
Helps to stretch out hamstrings
Helps with learning head control on the shoulders
Slow introduction to maintaining an upright position
If you have any concerns about your child being comfortable in these positions, or if you’d like individually based recommendations for your specific child, feel free to reach out or schedule below. Dr. Dani is a Denver based Pediatric Chiropractor with additional training in infant development, flat spots, tongue tie and more. At BCR, it’s SO much more than just Chiropractic, Dr. Dani helps babies feel great and achieve their milestones through individualized, hands on care and at-home recommendations for parents!
