One toy that all parents should put on their baby registry is a tummy time mat. While they’re adorable and give little ones a soft place to lay, they’re also instrumental in helping babies hit their milestones. So, if you’re curious about the benefits of a tummy time mat and looking for the perfect activity mat for your baby, we’ve got you covered. Editor’s Note: We know raising kids can be hard. That’s why we’re dedicated to making your life easier with the latest and greatest parenting advice and products. We wanted to let you know that if you chose to purchase one of the items featured in this post, we may receive a small commission for it.
The Importance of Tummy Time
1. It helps develop muscles
While some may think that tummy time is just for fun, it’s actually a lot of work for babies. When laying on their stomachs, babies build muscles in their neck, shoulders and core. This build up of muscle is essential in reaching other future physical development milestones.
2. It promotes motor skills
After babies develop the appropriate muscles, tummy time is where they’ll learn to crawl, push up, roll over, and eventually sit on their own. Babies may fuss a little while on their tummy because they’re essentially working out!
3. It reduces the chances of skull deformity
Newborn babies are constantly being placed on their backs, and this can sometimes lead to a flat head. While the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep on their backs as it’s proven to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the AAP also encourages tummy time for playing. Reducing the amount of time a baby lies on their back will prevent their head from forming incorrectly.
Benefits of a Tummy Time Mat
Not only are baby play mats safe, but they also offer numerous benefits. In fact, the AAP recommends introducing short amounts of tummy time as soon as your new baby comes home from the hospital!
Cleanliness: Even if you’re diligent about cleaning the floors and carpets in your home, fabric and porous surfaces can harbor bacteria. By using a machine-washable mat for your baby, you can ensure that they’ll be practicing their tummy time in a clean environment. Prolonged tummy time: Because tummy time is work, not all babies enjoy it. However, the mirrors, toys, and bright colors on an activity mat will encourage your baby to stay on their tummy for longer periods, ultimately leading to more development of motor skills and neck muscles. Sensory stimulation: An activity center or play mat with a ton of colors, sounds and textures is excellent for sensory play. The colors can even improve a baby’s vision. Motor skill development: From hand-eye coordination to developing the proper muscles to crawl, a tummy time mat is ideal for developing gross motor skills.
Tummy Time Mat Features
Surface: Whether it’s cloth, foam, or filled with water, you’ll want to ensure a play mat is both comfortable and supportive. Flat mats are best for newborns since they can’t lift their heads. A baby water mat is safe to use for a three month old or older. Size: The ideal size of the tummy time mat depends on your available space. Some play mats take up a large amount of space and may not be easy to transport, so keep that in mind when choosing an activity mat.
Our Top 5 Tummy Time Mat Picks
Best Overall Tummy Time Mat: Fisher-Price Deluxe Kick & Play Mat Best Budget Tummy Time Mat: Bright Starts Tummy Time Prop & Play Activity Mat Best Tummy Time Water Mat: Splashin’kids Inflatable Tummy Time Water Play Mat Best Montessori Style Tummy Time Mat: Lovevery The Play Gym Best Tummy Time Mat to Grow With Baby: Infantino 4-in-1 Jumbo Baby Activity Gym Mat
How We Chose Our Favorites
This ‘activity gym’ mat has a play piano with light-up keys and a toy arch with detachable toys, so it’s no surprise that it’s a top choice! It also transitions with your baby from lay and play to sit and play. “…our 1 month old has been so engaged! He smiles and is beginning to kick the piano keys (they are easy to push and he doesn’t need help to get a sound to come out). Also, the hanging toys are easily reachable for him.” Thanks to the prop pillow to lift babies up, any little one can learn to love tummy time with this mat. It features a variety of textures, sounds, and toy attachments to keep babies occupied and happy. “My daughter hates tummy time. Absolutely, positively hates it. Instead of doing anything tummy time was intended for, she would just lay flat, freeze, and cry which (a) completely defeats the purpose of tummy time and (b) just made her miserable without any benefit. I won’t throw on the hyperbole and say she loves tummy time, now but she certainly tolerates it a lot more with this product. She’s a little more patient now that she’s propped up, she reaches for the toys (whereas you could put a toy right in front of her before and she’d just look at it while crying), and she’s more willing to move around and use her arms.” Babies will love this tummy time water mat where they can splash around without getting wet. It’s made with thick PVC that won’t leak and is completely portable. “Love this product! I got it for my 4 month old who hated tummy time and I put her on this and she loved it! It is extremely sturdy with no leaks and a very strong plastic! My baby loves looking at the little foam animals in it! All in all a great product for your baby! Especially if they hate tummy time!” Because it’s less busy than other options, this tummy time mat promotes brain and motor skill development without overstimulation. It features five zones that focus on making sounds, feeling, finding objects, and exploring colors. “Our 3-month old loves her morning play sessions on the Lovevery play gym. I am amazed by how long she can stay focused and attentive while lying on the gym. She is barely mobile (3 months), and from the middle of the mat, her focus usually goes to the high-contrast ball (in the picture), then to the high-contrast cards. This week, she has been enjoying the cards with baby face pictures. She actually coos at some of them, which is adorable.” Not only is this activity mat ideal for tummy time, but it also converts into a ball pit to grow with your baby. It comes with a bolster pillow, balls, hanging toys, and more. “Absolutely adorable. I love the colors and print. Comes with a lot of attachment toys, a mirror and a head rest. The sloth pocket is detachable and fits all the ball’s perfectly. The ball pit option is very sturdy. 10/10 recommend.”
