If you are looking for the best tummy time mat for your baby, you are in the right place. In this article we explain everything you need to know: what tummy time is, when to start and why the baby play mat you use makes a huge difference.
What is tummy time?
Tummy time is the period when you place your baby on their tummy while they are awake and under your supervision. On their tummy, the baby actively works the neck, shoulder, back and arm muscles – the same ones they will need to lift their head, roll over, sit, crawl and walk.
Why is it so important?
Paediatricians recommend that babies always sleep on their back to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. But always lying in the same position can lead to flat head syndrome. Tummy time counteracts this and strengthens the muscles your baby needs to develop properly.
When can you start?
From day one. In the first days, one or two minutes on your chest or lap is enough. As your baby gains strength, you increase the time. At two or three months, paediatricians recommend building up to about 30 minutes a day spread over several short sessions.
Why does the tummy time mat matter so much?
A cold, hard floor is uncomfortable for your baby and the session ends much sooner. A surface that is too soft can be dangerous. And a foam or synthetic mat exposes your baby's most delicate skin to plastics for the whole session. The ideal tummy time mat is firm but padded, stable, and made of natural materials.
The perfect tummy time mat: cotton outside, natural wool inside. No synthetics.
See the play matCotton and wool tummy time mat: the best choice
Cotton against the skin and wool as inner cushioning do exactly that job: natural firmness without hardness, padding without excessive softness, and zero synthetics. It is the ideal combination for a baby mat that accompanies your child from day one until they start walking.
Tips to make tummy time a positive experience
Place your baby down when they are happy and rested, never when hungry or sleepy. Lie down at their eye level and talk to them. Put an unbreakable mirror in front of them. Start with very short sessions and increase the time gradually.
The play mat a mother would make for her child.
Cotton outside · Wool inside · Made in Barcelona
See the Maison Theo play mat
