"I Am Afraid of Positioning my Baby in Prone": Beliefs and Knowledge about Tummy Time Practice.

Objective: To identify beliefs and knowledge about tummy time (TT) practice and its repercussions on motor development. Methods: Longitudinal study carried out with parents/caregivers of infants older than 30 days of life. Two assessments were performed. A structured interview was conducted, while the babies were between one and six months old to identify beliefs, knowledge about TT, and the motor milestone achievement expected for the age. At six to 12 months, the risk of motor development delay was tracked using the survey of well-being of young infant questionnaire (SWYC). Results: 41 families responded to the SWYC questionnaire (21 were allocated to the TT group). 31.70% reported that it was not important to put the infants in a prone position while awake, and 70.70% said they are afraid their babies would become breathless when positioned in a prone position. 85.70% of infants from the TT group showed typical development, while 55% of the control group showed atypical development for their age (p = 0.01). Only three infants from the control group were at risk of delayed motor development (p = 0.10). Conclusions: Most of the families feel insecure about proning their babies and fear breathlessness when positioned. Acquisition of motor milestones prevailed in the TT group, suggesting an association between TT practice and motor milestone achievement.

Effects of Prone Positioning on Head Control in Preterm Infants: Randomized and Controlled Clinical Trial Protocol.

PURPOSE: The primary aim will be to assess the effects of prone positioning (tummy time) on cervical extension (angular kinematics and time) in preterm infants. The secondary aim will be to assess the effects of tummy time on gross motor function. METHODS: This randomized, controlled clinical trial will include 40 preterm infants weighing less than 2500 g, randomly allocated into control or experimental group (n = 20) and followed up from birth to six months of corrected age by the team of the neonatal follow-up clinic. Caregivers will be routinely guided on bonding, developmental milestones, and how to perform the tummy time for 30 min throughout the day (experimental group). An illustrative booklet will be provided as support material. The hypothesis will be tested using inferential analysis, considering an alpha of 5%. DISCUSSION: We expect tummy time to strengthen cervical muscles needed to overcome gravity, master motor skills, and stimulate the integration between family activity and environmental experiences, considerable challenges to which preterm infants are exposed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (identifier RBR-2nwkr47) on 17 February 2022.

Effects of postural manipulations on head movements from birth to 4 months of age.

The authors investigated the effects of postural manipulation on head movement control in infants from birth to 4 months of age. Eighteen full-term infants were presented with a card, which was moved from side to side before their eyes in 3 positions: unsupported supine, supported supine, and supported reclined. The results showed a higher proportion of initial position of head at midline and midline-to-side trajectory, improving the alignment of head and trunk; fewer movement units and movement units after peak velocity; lower mean angular velocity and peak velocity; and a broader rotation of the head in both supported positions. Thus, external support of the head promoted head and trunk alignment, improving stability and enabling the infant to execute better-controlled head movements. These findings may be helpful in early intervention and treatment of at-risk infants.