Toys that strengthen your baby's tummy, back, and neck
Your little newborn develops at lightning speed from the day they’re born until they’re around three months old. One day, your baby discovers the shadows dancing across the wall and bursts into pure delight at the incredible sight. The next day, you gently tickle their tummy and are rewarded with a squeal of happiness.
The first three months with a baby are filled with golden moments. It’s also a time of big changes for you — and you’re probably feeling pretty exhausted from the new routine and the lack of sleep.
Here’s the mantra to hold on to (perhaps you already know it by heart): Everything is a phase. It will pass. Both the wonderful moments and the more challenging ones will change.
Meanwhile, your little one is busy learning how to move their body. The brain and muscles are working hard to build a strong connection, so your baby can gradually move with the right amount of strength, in the right direction, and for just the right amount of time — sometimes intentionally, sometimes purely by instinct.
Every tiny muscle, ligament, and organ has to learn to work together in perfect harmony — and that’s no small task. It’s a bit like signing up for driving lessons and being asked to fly a Concorde on day two.
How can I strengthen my baby’s back and neck?
One of the key things here is helping your newborn build strength in their tiny body. Quite simply, your baby needs enough muscle power to turn and twist, and eventually lift and control that surprisingly heavy head so their eyes can follow whatever catches their attention. And that’s no small task. A baby’s head is relatively heavy compared to the rest of their body — much heavier than in other mammals. Human brains are big, which means your little one needs quite a bit of strength before they can confidently lift and carry their own head.
The muscles along the spine and the ones that support the head are closely connected to the tummy muscles — together, they form your baby’s core. These muscles wrap around the upper body from top to bottom, and building this core strength is what eventually makes it possible to sit, crawl, stand, and walk.
You can help by giving your baby plenty of opportunities to wiggle, stretch, and roll around on the floor in a safe space — ideally with something interesting to look at. A play mat with a baby gym is perfect for this, and a mobile above the changing table can also spark curiosity. For floor time, it’s a good idea to use a soft, shock-absorbing mat that keeps your baby warm and comfortable while they explore and move.
In the beginning, your baby will mostly want to be close to you — and that’s exactly as it should be. Physical closeness is essential, and skin-to-skin contact is especially soothing (you can read more about the many benefits of touch on our blog). But there are also little windows of time when it’s perfectly fine for your baby to lie on their own for short stretches. Choose a safe space where they can wiggle, stretch their legs, reach out, try to roll — and ideally spend some time on their tummy. Place a fun toy in front of or beside them during tummy time, so there’s something to look at and reach for.
Why is tummy time important for babies?
When your baby lies on their tummy, they need to use their muscles to control their head much more than when lying on their back. And since a newborn’s skull is still soft in the weeks after birth, always lying on their back can sometimes lead to a flat spot at the back of the head. That’s why it’s important to vary your baby’s positions regularly. Take things slowly and make sure your baby seems happy and comfortable. Feeling safe and well fed, enjoying physical closeness, and having a clean diaper are always the top priorities.
When your baby is content and ready, you can gently place them on their tummy. You might start by letting your baby lie across your thighs. Or lie on your back with your baby resting on your shins, holding their hands while gently rocking your knees back and forth so your baby can see your face.
When your baby is on their tummy on a play mat, try placing a fun toy in front of them. Over time, your baby will start trying to lift their head and look at it. Reaching out usually comes a bit later — although some babies surprise us. The first step is learning to focus their eyes on the toy. Next comes turning their face towards it, and then perhaps lifting their head a little to follow it.
There’s so much your little one has to learn. With time, care, and patience, your baby already has all the building blocks they need. And if you also make sure they have lovely, safe, and stimulating baby toys within easy reach, you’ve done everything you can to support your child’s development.