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Many families find that water mats can be a fun addition to a baby’s tummy time routine. These mats usually contain small toys, and when your baby pushes up on his arms, the water moves the toys, capturing his attention. Over time, these kinds of products can help teach cause and effect, since your baby will realize that his movements are helping to shift the toys. This mat has a fish tank design and six colorful toys inside, and What to Expect parents say the design is a hit with their babies. Development: Consider your baby’s current age when purchasing a tummy time toy, as well as how you might use it in the future. Is the toy developmentally appropriate for your baby now, but also offer opportunities for him to play with it when he’s a little older?
If your baby isn’t a big fan of tummy time, know that you’re not alone. Many infants dislike being on their stomachs at first, but most become more comfortable in this position as they strengthen the muscles that help them lift their heads. Until that time, however, you might want to consider investing in some tummy time toys. We referenced guidelines from leading experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). We also interviewed three pediatricians: Gina Posner, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician practicing at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California and member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board; Charisma Garcia, M.D., a pediatrician at Texas Children’s Health Plan and The Center for Children and Women; and Taryn Hill, M.D., a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, for additional information on tummy time play. In line with these recommendations, all of the products on this list:We utilized a lot of tummy time toys which were all great, but could be very stimulating. With the Boppy though, my daughter could build those muscles while I read a book to her, which was a nice way to ease into naptime,” says Leah. Create a circle of toys and place baby on their tummy in the middle, encouraging them to reach and stretch with fun activities. Many of our baby play mats come tummy time ready with built-in toys. Because it’s on the small side (just over 6 inches tall and wide) and offers a few different ways to play, this is a great tummy time toy to bring with you when traveling. Despite being small, however, it’s not ideal for small spaces. Melissa found that the bee traveled wide, even when sitting on the cloud. The baby-safe mirror is held by a small fabric floor mount that places an infant’s reflection at their exact eye level during tummy time. Babies like to grab onto the soft fabric on the mount while interacting with themselves in the mirror, and parents say that the included high-contrast cards are also a big hit.
The downside is that it’s on the more expensive side, and many parents understandably balk at the price. That said, you can easily get a year’s worth of play out of it. We retired it each time when my sons were around 18 months and became a bit too tall to fit in the tent as comfortably. If, however, you think you’d just use one or two of the included elements, you might be better off purchasing them individually). Multi-purpose. All of the toys on this list helped entertain and motivate infants during tummy time play, but could also be used when baby has moved on to other milestones like rolling over and sitting up. This light bar is incredibly popular with What to Expect parents, who say that the music and lights help grab their babies’ attention during tummy time play in particular. It has three modes — animals, colors and xylophone — and lights up with your baby’s touch. But even with the sound off, toys that light up and play music aren’t for everyone — some babies, and parents, too, find them overstimulating. If that’s the case for you, this is one to skip.Plus, in newborns, gentle abdominal pressure can help with digestion and stooling, Dr. Garcia adds.
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