Start tummy time from birth: Begin by placing your baby on their stomach. 'They'll try to look up at your face and so it begins!' explains Stubbs. 'Over time you can add new things things for them to explore such as toys and rattles.' So, aside from being a great spot to enjoy rough and tumble, play mats are an essential piece of exercise kit for growing tots. But, when do babies use play mats and how can you persuade them to practice tummy time? To help you get started, Stubbs has outlined the following ways to get the most from your baby floor gym and encourage regular and consistent tummy time. The toys are designed around sound and texture. Baby likes to touch and feel different things so they will reach out to investigate their immediate world or shake their hands or feet to hear rattles and tinkles. Exploring and Experimenting – 6 to 24 months Establishing a set space and time for independent play gives children a specific environment that they know is safe to explore at will, allowing them to build up confidence as they move around and gain mobility skills. By setting this routine, it helps to condition them to associate the mat or gym with quiet play time - which is great for a wind down before bedtime.

One thing i found was that the area for baby to lie on was a bit uncomfortable but I placed a blanket over this to add extra cushioning for babies tummy. Because the kiddo is elevated above the toy they are able to get some success with playing with toys on their stomach Build up tummy time slowly. Little and often is key. Start with them laid on a soft and snuggly blanket or play mat. Chat to them and stroke their faces to make it a bonding and soothing few moments of the day. Slow and steady wins the race: This old adage definitely applies to tummy time. 'Don’t expect your little one to love it straight away, but if they do, that’s brilliant,' says Stubbs. 'Start with a minute at a time and once they nail that, try two.' There a couple of types of tummy time roller and they will suit a variety of ages and development stages.Parents are always looking for new ways to entertain their little one and want to find the latest and greatest piece of nursery equipment that will allow them to provide their child with stimulation. Toys are ever popular - but gyms, activity mats and tummy time supports give all the fun of the latest toys, as well as freedom for exploration and movement. Independent play has a number of benefits for young children and gyms and playmats allow them to explore independently while still being supported and comfortable. This also gives parents a moment to have their hands free and watch their little one enjoy some time on their own. With colourful designs and a range of different activities, baby gyms are designed to stimulate the senses and provide an engaging experience for hours on end. All Lamaze toys are designed to help baby explore and learn about their world. Awakening the Senses - Birth to 24 months Lamaze toys are developed around the Lamaze Infant Development System which consists of three developmental themes: Use a tummy time pillow or a rolled-up blanket under your baby’s armpits if they struggle to lift their head and find that distressing. This will also give them a better view of the possibilities around them. The Lamaze spin and explore garden gym is such a neat product which I first found out about at one of the daycare centres I worked at as we had just opened and this was one of the awesome toys we had received, I loved it so much and thought it was a great way to encourage tummy time so when my daughter was old enough to use such a thing I went out and brought one for her.

Okay, so I am a big fan of tummy time and I know that people may find it challenging to do with their kiddos so we as therapists are always on the lookout for new ideas to make it easier on parents. One of our PT’s saw the Lamaze Spin and Explore at a kiddo’s home and told us about it so we decided to get it and try it out with a few of our kids who are having challenges with tummy time. We were only able to get pictures for one of the kiddos but the two therapists who are using it both say that it has been helpful.

I really like the lamaze spin and explore garden gym. I used this product with my baby from about 6 weeks. He did not enjoy tummy time at all and would just bury his head in to the floor and cry. Using this product really helped us extend the time he would spend on his tummy as there were so many things going on to keep him distracted. When he or she is older and has gained strength, the roller can be pushed, pulled and flipped over. Baby play mats differ from baby gyms as they don't come with quite so many accessories, so your baby can focus on their workout. Say what? That's right, mama, think of play mats as home gym equipment for really little people. Just like you might benefit from a good stretch and a sweaty HIIT class, babies need to get fit too, and play mats are the optimum place to develop all manner of essential life skills for growing tots. Plus, you can join in the fun too and everyone benefits. Lamaze follows key developmental stages for baby and works within baby's skill set from birth. A newborn baby cannot see very far at all but can hear very well so much of the Lamaze philosophy in the early months is around helping baby develop these senses. The sensorimotor stage is a key stage in a child’s development, where they learn through coordinating sensory experiences with motor actions. Gyms and playmats are ideal for this stage of development, as they provide the combination of sensory toys and space for movement. Children will reach and touch toys, reacting to the bright colours and attractive designs. They will hear squeaks, rattles and crinkles for sensory stimulation. This all helps them learn object permanence as well as heightening their cognitive development and sensory growth. Through playing and exploring, they will learn about the world around them, which will help set the foundations for future development.