You’ve probably heard that Tummy Time is great for babies, correct? (If not check out Part 1!) But you probably haven’t heard that they should also have side time! Similar to how tummy time gives your baby time on their belly, side time reinforces their side-lying positions. Although each baby is different, we like to recommend that infants spend about ¼ of their time on their backs, ¼ on their stomachs, and ¼ on each side.

Why Does This Matter?

You have probably noticed some babies being put in helmets to reshape their skulls due to flat spots. Plagiocephaly, basically a flat spot on the head, occurs when a child spends most of their time in one position (such as on their backs) or has a predilection of looking to one side more often. When this happens, it doesn’t allow for the bones of the skull to develop into their correct shape. With more and more parents being recommended, or prescribed, a helmet to help reshape their child’s skull, side time is a great way to try and stop this from occurring. Simply reinforcing different positions, tummy and side time, is an easy way to ensure proper skull development, and limiting the potential risk of plagiocephaly.

Babies develop stability in their joints by activating certain movement patterns and using our bodies in very specific ways. Side Time helps to take activate, and reinforce, these movement patterns to develop proper hip and shoulder stability. By being on their sides, the shoulders and hips are stressed in the rotational plane, thus creating rotational support. This rotational stability is necessary to allow the baby to get into different, more advanced positions (crawling and rolling) with better control.

Furthermore, Side Time helps to develop babies’ brain and cortical function through the activation different fields of vision and creating more body awareness. By allowing the baby to be in the sidelying position, they are able to explore their field of vision more completely and creating an opportunity to reach. Not only does reaching facilitate movement patterns, it also increases hand-eye coordination. These are integral parts of the brain that contribute to the overall movement strategy of the baby.

Summary

Just like tummy time, Side Time is very important for a baby’s development. It is essential for structural development, functional development and cortical development. Not sure about how to start doing Side Time with your baby? Give us a call at 262-236-9489 and just ask!