Back in olden days (about fifteen years ago), all babies were sleeping on their tummies.  When a direct correlation was found between tummy sleeping babies and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), pediatricians started recommending that all babies sleep on their backs.  As this practice became more widespread, the incidence of SIDS direcreased proportionately.

One negative side effect of this back sleeping practice is that babies get less time on their stomachs to strengthen their neck and back muscles.  Pediatricians now recommend that babies spend daily “tummy time.”  That is, you put the baby on a hard surface (a blanket on the floor) and let the baby practice holding its head up.  It’s instinctual.

Researchers do say that today’s babies will lag a bit behind in milestones than tummy sleeping babies simply because taking 10-20 minutes a day to practice TT is not the same is when we were babies and spend hours and hours.

Luke is no exception — in fact, he seems to enjoy this activity quite a bit, although he does get a bit tired of it after a while, at which point you need to pick him up.  He immediately starts pumping his legs in a crawling motion and attempts to lift his head from the floor.  As he’s spent more and more time doing this, he’s able to lift his head higher and for longer periods of time.

My favorite part is the cute little effort noises he makes as he does this.  I put my phone next to him a few times and recorded them.  Enjoy.

Luke — Tummy Time 1
Luke — Tummy Time 2