Tummy Time vs. Exersaucers and Walkers: Some things to consider.

I attended an in-service a while back that talked about the importance of tummy time.  I know, I know, we are always hearing about the importance of tummy time, but WHY is it so important?

• During the first months of life, it helps you
  baby develop her neck muscles so she can hold up her head.
• As she gains in her ability to hold up her head higher, she begins to develop her back muscles which are needed for rolling and for sitting.
• When she starts pushing up, her front and back muscles continue to develop which need to be strong to balance for sitting and for standing later on.
• Tummy time strengthens and develops the shoulders, arm and hand muscles which will be need for reaching for toys.
• Babies learn to shift their weight during time time.  This is a crucial skill for later crawling and walking.

But what about exersaucers and walkers?  Many parents think they will help teach their baby to walk.  Do they?  The physical therapists and occupational therapists I work with as an interventionist STRONGLY DISCOURAGE the use of these toys.  Here's why:

• Exersaucers and walkers allow a baby to stand and play before a baby's muscles are ready.
• Floor time will help a baby learn to control the muscles she'll need for standing.  He'll be able to work on rolling over, sitting up and crawling all of which are building blocks for standing.  Your baby can't do that in an exersaucer or walker.
• A baby may push of the floor with their feet in an exersaucer or walker, however, he doesn't have to shift his weight over to one side to balance.  On the floor, a baby learns to shift his weight during movement.  Again, this is another important building block for standing and walking.
• Babies with weak trunk muscles may stiffen their legs to push off the floor in an exersaucer or walker.  This can actually delay standing and walking because a baby learns to use the wrong muscles and avoids using the correct muscles.
• In an exersaucer or walker, a baby can plop down in the seat if he loses his balance.  On the floor, a baby learns to use his arms to "catch" and protect himself if he's tipped off balance.
• Exersaucers and walkers limit the ways a baby can move, which limits muscle development.  Floor time activities provide unlimited ways for a baby to experiment with moving around.
• Floor time is the best workout you can give your baby.

Am I telling you not to use exersaucers and walkers?  That is entirely up to you as a parent.  I want to make sure that parents are able to make informed choices when it comes to their kids. 

We had an exersaucer for our first child and he loved it.  This was prior to my learning that it really did little to help him with his motor development.  Did we use it with our second?  No.  Did our first child have any problems as a result of being in the exersaucer?  Not that I can see.  Maybe it is a coincidence, but our second child has better balance and coordination than our first and is much more confident engaging in physical activities.

Again, I am not trying to tell you as a parent what to do, but rather to give you more information on the topic so you can make a well informed decision. 

Tommorrow I will discuss the importance of crawling and the impact it can have later on in a child's academic success

Thanks so much to Stacy Grossman, M.Ed., OTR for the information on tummy time and exersaucer!

Do you use an exersaucer?  How much time does your baby spend on the floor?  Please feel free to post your comments or questions. 

Originallly posted on http://www.thementormomcom on 8/3/06.

Copyright © 2006, Jill S. Urbane.  All rights in all media reserved.  The content of this article may be forwarded in full without special permission provided it is used for nonprofit purposes and full attribution and copyright notice are given. For other purposes, please contact Jill Urbane at www.thementormom.com