Tummy time is so important for your baby. But, with so many options to choose, how can you know which tummy time mat is best? To tell you the truth, as long as you are closely monitoring your baby during tummy time, and doing what your pediatrician recommends, you and your baby will be just fine!
However, if you want to add in some learning aspects into your tummy time with a learning mat, that is an added bonus. As a mom and certified educator, I'll share some insights into a few different tummy time mats that I hope will help you make an informed decision. I'll also share some educational tips that are quick and to the point so multi-tasking moms like me can be a mom-boss (or dad-boss) while making sure your baby is the smartest baby on the block!
1. Keeping it simple: Tummy time mat with raised curved shape by Sassy or Bright Starts
This tummy time mat is good for parents on a budget. It can easily be brought around your home and protects your baby from germs that might be on a walked upon floor. When your baby spits up or drools on the mat, it can be washed. The raised curved shape can help build your baby's strength too, ask your pediatrician when and how it should be used. This is the type of mat I used with my baby too. At first, she cried after a minute or less. But with each try, she was able to extend the amount of time on the mat. Eventually she started lifting her head side to side. This mat was a great way to build her physical strength. Even now, she has a really strong ab core and neck muscles. While on the tummy time mat, I would sing or play soothing music to add in a musical element of tummy time. I also like to take pictures and videos to note her progress.
2. Double feature mat: Tummy time and back time by Infantino or Fisher-Price
I also had a play mat similar to this kind. It can be used for tummy time, just know it'll be a little more difficult for you as the parent to reach around the hanging toys (which you can remove) and through the corner poles. But you can save some money by skipping the mat from #1 and getting one of these. If you have a larger budget, having both of these mats is good too. I kept the tummy time mat in the nursery upstairs and this play mat in our family room downstairs. Once my baby learned to roll on her back, she was able to play with this mat. She reached for the hanging toys, which also helped build her physical strength. Eventually, when she could roll over a couple of times, she would play with the toys I attached to the corner poles. Some of these play mats are easy to carry around and plop on the floor easily. Some are more difficult to lay flat because of the four corners lay out, so just be aware of that. When you look at the hanging toys attachments, try to find one that has a mirror, one that is a rattle, one that you can pull a string for it to play music or retract, and one with some type of hoop. Why? The mirror starts building her social personal skills because she sees what appears to be another baby, especially when she smiles and that reflection smiles back! A rattle helps teach cause and effect. Your baby will learn to shake the rattle and will enjoy the sound it makes. For more info on baby rattles, see this blog. A retractable and/or music toy allows your baby to hear new sounds and gives them something to explore. The one with a hoop will help your baby to grip objects, therefore building her hand/finger strength. Some play mats have a piece of plastic that does nothing except give your baby something to chew on. I found this useless because my baby certainly wasn't reaching that high with her mouth. Instead I got some of these loops and attached my own toys.
3. Triple feature mat: Tummy time and back time AND foot time by Fisher-Price
My baby had one of these piano mats that she played with for a little bit. I was actually hoping she would love it much more than she did because she loves music. We have an upright piano and I sit her on my lap and she bangs on the keys. Therefore I thought she would enjoy hearing her feet hit the keys. When my baby starting rolling over, but not yet sitting up, I was looking for some toys to entertain her. I'm not sure why this play may didn't interest her too much. It might have been the position of the piano keys. However, I did use the play mat as a tummy time mat, and she she could roll over on her back, I used the hanging toys for her to play with. So really, this type of mat fulfills the same features as the mat in #2 with a potential added bonus of a kicking toy. As your baby learns to use her hands, she can pulls at the hanging toys. As she learns to use her arms, she can reach out for the toys and piano. And as she learns to use her legs and feet, she will learn to kick the piano keys and hear the music it makes.
4. Finally, the 4-in-1 play mats! Infantino or Baby Einstein or Bright Starts
There are plenty of 4-in-1 play mats out there. I didn't have one of these, but if it fits your budget, you can just get one of these instead of #1-3. You can use it for tummy time, back time, kicking time, and once your baby can sit up, you baby can play with the hanging toys along with the ball pit style toys. I ended up buying a ball pit instead, mainly because I discovered these after my baby hit that developmental stage. The sides fold up to help create a boundary for your baby and the toys inside.
Whatever play mat you choose, your involvement in your baby's progress is what is most important. I would lay down next to my baby during tummy time to see face to face so she could see my smiling face. I would put some toys just out of her reach to encourage scooting, rolling and crawling. I would help her play with the toys to model what to do. However you get involved these play mats are great for the physical development of your baby!
