A pivotal point in the development of babies. Not only do babies take in a third more oxygen into their lungs in this position but they also strengthen their whole upper body, neck, shoulders and arms and gain good head control.

Benefits: Flexibility of the spine, tones the muscles of the abdomen, good for the vestibular system (balance and movement) and good for body awareness. A few minutes of tummy time should be given every day as the babies are on their backs for the majority of the time and tummy time will help to develop their motor skills ready for crawling which is an important stage in their development to aid co-ordination. In this position the chest opens and it encourages deeper breathing. A third more oxygen is taken into their lungs.
Caution: As with all yoga, apply a little pressure but never force and if baby resists then leave it until they are ready. Support the head and neck on babies under 6 months or with poor head and neck control. The majority of baby’s weight is taken by your thigh for the baby cobra and hand-stand, let them feel their feet and hands on the floor. Older babies over 6 months may put a bit of their own weight on the floor.

All of the tummy exercises should have a cushion below the baby’s head position for safety. Do not do back stretches on a baby with a known back or spinal problem unless they have been given the approval of a medical practitioner.

Rocking Boat
Parent/carer to have their legs together, stretched out in front of them in a seated position. Place the baby over the thighs, with a hand at the top of the spine and a hand at the bottom for support then gently wriggle the legs up and down. You can massage the back by placing two fingers at the bottom of the spine and work them in small circles up towards the shoulder and repeat on the other side of the spine.

Baby Cobra

Parent/carer to have their legs together, stretched out in front of them in a seated position. Place the baby over the thighs, with one hand on baby’s chest and supporting their head and the other hand on the upper back. Bend the knee that is closest to the head, so that the baby comes up for a back stretch. Use the hand that is on the upper back to stroke a few times down to the waist and then lower the knee.

Scuba Dive (Baby Handstand)
Parent/carer to have their legs together, stretched out in front of them in a seated position and place baby over the thighs. Taking baby’s feet between the fingers and placing the other hand on baby’s upper back for support, lift the knee nearest baby’s bottom up to bring baby to a handstand. Hold for a few seconds and then lower the knee. Repeat 2 or 3 times.

Caution: For babies less than 6 months or with poor head and neck control, the thigh should only be raised very slightly so that baby is hardly tipping and the head is well supported.

Note: Can combine Baby Cobra and Scuba Dive (handstand) to form a rollercoaster motion. Working in partners, place baby over the thighs facing each other with cushions under their heads, alternate lifting legs to bring baby up to cobra and down to handstand. This can be done slowly, saying “123 scuba dive!” to bring baby’s head down and “123 peekaboo!” bringing the head back up, or can be sped up and put to music.

Baby Shark

Lie baby on their tummy with their head to one side then gently slide your hand under the knee of one leg. Place the other hand on the lower back and gently lift the leg a fraction from the floor keeping the hips on the floor and holding for approximately 5 seconds, stopping if there is resistance. Repeat 2 or 3 times on the first leg then repeat on the other side.

Baby Plank

Parent in a seated position legs out stretched, place a cushion at one side of your legs at the side which you will lay baby’s head. Lay baby over your thighs, gently ensuring their arms hang over your thigh so that the baby is touching cushion.

Caution: Very young babies should still be encouraged on their tummies but once head holding is established the arms can be encouraged to hang over.

Roly Poly

Parent/carer to have their legs together stretched out in front of them in a seated position. Place the baby over the lower part of the thighs. Supporting the head and neck, gently rock the baby, roll towards you and then back again. This action should be done slowly and stop if the baby is not enjoying it. Always end up with baby on their tummy.

Benefits: The vestibular system, helping with balance and co-ordination, body awareness.

Beat the Drum

With baby on their tummy, hold the shins/calves and bend the legs so that the heels go towards their bottom. Do this with
alternate legs. Repeat for 5 to 30 seconds or until baby has had enough.

Benefits: Stretches the thighs and gives body awareness.
Cautions: The heels may not reach the bottom so do not force, just bend until you feel resistance. Make sure the head is turned to the side if baby has poor head/neck control.

Diagonal Drum/Hip Flex
As with Beat the Drum, but bend one knee up and in slightly to bring the foot to the opposite hip/cheek. Say “123 and swap.”
Benefits: Opens the hips, good for flexibility, stop if resistance.

Counter pose – After back stretches you should lie the baby on their side with their knees bent or alternatively lie the baby on their back and cradle them with one hand at the back of the thigh and the other hand on their upper back and curl them up slightly, gently rocking.