Wakeful Prone “Tummy Time” During Infancy: How Can We Help Parents?

Abstract

Aims

This study’s purpose is to present facilitators and barriers for wakeful prone positioning or “tummy time” during infancy by exploring the personal perspectives of infant caregivers attempting to provide daily tummy time.

Methods

The study was qualitative in design, using thematic analysis to identify major and minor themes from semi-structured interviews. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behavior Model provided a conceptual framework for the interview guide and categorization of major themes.

Results

Within capability, opportunity, and motivation, the major themes of self-efficacy, scheduling, variations, siblings, committed adult help, social responses of acquaintances, and caregiver enjoyment could be barriers or facilitators, depending on the context. Optimized physical circumstances, caregiver interest, perceived benefits to the infant, pride and accomplishment, and obligation were identified as facilitators only. Barriers included negative infant affect.

Conclusions

These results offer preliminary guidance in a knowledge gap: tummy time support that addresses the self-identified concerns of infant caregivers.

Keywords:

• Facilitators and barriers
• infancy
• prone to Play
• qualitative studies
• tummy time

Acknowledgements

At the time when this article was written, Isabella Theresa Felzer-Kim was an MD-PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and the College of Human Medicine, and Chelsea Adkins was a master’s degree student in the Department of Kinesiology, both located at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Michigan State University Graduate School

Notes on contributors

Isabella Theresa Felzer-Kim

Isabella Theresa Felzer-Kim is an MD, PhD, student in Kinesiology and human medicine at Michigan State University. She researches motor development and physical activity in infants with and without disabilities.

Karl Erickson

Karl Erickson, PhD, is an assistant professor of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. His research focuses on child and youth development in physical activity and sport contexts, with a particularly emphasis on qualitative and observational methodologies.

Chelsea Adkins

Chelsea Adkins, MS, is a former graduate student of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. Her interests include motor development and physical activity in infants with and without disabilities.

Janet L. Hauck

Janet L. Hauck, PhD, is an assistant professor of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. Her research foci includes motor development and physical activity in children with and without disabilities.