Monday 16 September 2013

How to master tummy time if your baby suffers from plagiocephaly - Guest Post from Dr Kerstin Castle, Cosyplay




Dr Kerstin Castle has kindly written a guest post for us about how to master tummy time for babies suffering from Plagiocephaly:


If your baby suffers from plagiocephaly you may feel that you have a race against time on your hands.  During the first few months, your baby’s head is soft and grows at a phenomenal rate. Sleeping on the same spot every night means he might develop plagiocephaly or if he was born with it, it might become worse.  After five months, this growth rate slows significantly and the bones in the head harden.  You have been told, that tummy time is the solution, but you worry, because your baby shows no signs of being happy on his tummy and the window of time is closing.

Most health visitors and GPs will recommend tummy time, which has led many parents to attempt putting their young babies on their tummy with the result that the baby screams at which point many parents stop tummy time until the baby is “ready”.  If your baby’s head is perfectly shaped waiting for your baby to be ready is fine.  But what can you do if time is running out, and your baby is still not interested in tummy time?
Firstly, tummy time does not need to start on the tummy.  Put your baby on a soft surface, where you can both be comfortable and just play.  Roll your baby gently onto his side and see if he is happy in that position.  If not roll him back again.  See, you have just managed 15 seconds of time not spent on the flat spot. 
The most important part in making tummy time enjoyable for your baby is your presence.  You need to be physically close to your baby if you want to introduce your baby to tummy time.  Your baby needs to hear your reassuring voice, see your smiling face and feel your touch to know that whatever is occurring is intentional.

It is best not to wait until your baby starts crying on his tummy.  Make a game out of rolling about by pulling funny faces when he is on his tummy and turn him back as soon as his delight at your face wanes.  Over time, you will find that your baby becomes much more used to being on his tummy and he will enjoy the new perspective. 
Find a surface that is comfortable for both of you.  When you start tummy time, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of time there, so you might as well be comfortable. 
It is true, that all babies develop at their own pace, but babies, which are encouraged to use their muscles, develop them quicker.  Any encouragement will lead to faster progress.  For example, if you lie on your back on the floor and “fly the baby” above you, you will feel your baby arching his back, trying to hold up his head.  It is not tummy time in the strictest sense, but it will help to get your baby to enjoy tummy time more quickly.
 
You should also consider that carrying your baby in your arms contributes to strengthening his muscles, because your baby will have to readjust his position and will try to balance whilst you move.  This will help with tummy time, because he will feel stronger, more coordinated and in control when placed on his tummy.  
Finally remember to relax.  Babies are amazingly sensitive to their parents’ moods and emotions.  You may be anxious to get your baby to master tummy time quickly, but without you realising it, you transfer your state of mind to your baby.   Make time every day to play on the floor with your baby and gradually integrate rolling about into your daily routine.  A comfortable surface for both you and your baby will be helpful, and allow both of you to be relaxed.  A familiar duvet, blanket or play mat, which is associated with fun and play will be the best place to introduce new concepts such as tummy time. 

This guest post was written by Dr Kerstin Castle, inventor of the cosyplay baby play mat.  Cosyplay baby play mats are made from memory foam and big enough for you and your baby, so you can be comfortable and relaxed whilst being part of your baby’s development.  See www.cosyplay.co.uk for more information.

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