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Floor time isn’t just about keeping your baby entertained – it’s about building their brain and body for a lifetime of healthy movement. Here’s the truth behind why floor time beats baby containers such as baby swings and baby seats every single time.

How Babies Are Designed to Develop

Babies are born with an innate drive to move and explore. Their nervous system is wired to progress through specific motor milestones in a particular order – and there’s a reason for that!

The Natural Progression:

1. Tummy time and head control
2. Rolling both directions
3. Pushing up into sitting
4. Sitting independently
5. Army crawling
6. Crawling on hands and knees
7. Pulling to stand through tall kneel and half kneel
8. Cruising furniture
9. Walking independently

Each stage builds the foundation for the next stage. Skip a step, and you risk delays down the line.

What Happens During Floor Time (The Magic!)

Brain Development:

• Neural pathways form with every movement
• Left and right brain hemispheres connect
• Problem-solving skills develop (“How do I reach that toy?”)

Sensory System Development:

• Vestibular system: Rolling and moving develops balance
• Proprioceptive system: Babies learn where their body is in space
• Tactile system: Different floor textures provide sensory input

Motor Skill Building:

• Core muscles engage and strengthen
• Shoulder stability develops (crucial for fine motor skills later!)
• Hip stability forms
• Coordination improves with practice

[Download WeeThrive’s FREE Motor Milestone Checklist HERE]

Why Baby Containers Interrupt This Process

When we place babies in containers and devices, we’re essentially telling their nervous system: “You don’t need to work yet.”

Baby containers and devices include anything that restricts baby’s freedom of movement. This includes: baby seats, chairs, swings, bouncers, activity centers, jumpers, etc. Obviously some baby containers such as car seats and high chairs are necessary for safety and function.

The Container Problem:

• Bypasses muscle activation: Devices hold babies up instead of babies holding themselves up
• Limits sensory input: Strapped-in babies can’t explore or move freely
• Creates dependency: Babies get used to external support instead of building internal strength

Physical Development Concerns:

• Babies in walkers and jumpers often develop on their tippy-toes
• Exersaucers can delay crawling
• Floor seats used before independent sitting can weaken core muscles

The Floor Time Advantage: Real-World Benefits

Stronger Bodies:

• Better core, trunk, hip, shoulder, neck, arm, and hand strength
• Improved balance
• More confident movers
• Reach milestones on time or early

Smarter Brains:

• Enhanced problem-solving
• Better spatial awareness
• Improved cause-and-effect understanding
• Stronger parent-child bonds through floor play

Healthier Development:

• Natural muscle engagement
• Proper joint alignment
• Age-appropriate strength building
• Reduced risk of delays

How Much Floor Time Do Babies Need?

Newborn to 3 months:

• Short tummy time sessions multiple times daily
• Start with 3-5 minutes, build to 40-60 minutes total per day
• Playing while lying on back or alternating side-lying positions when baby needs a break

4-6 months:

• Increase tummy time
• Encourage rolling practice
• Minimize time in devices

7-12 months:

• Majority of awake time should be on the floor
• Let them work on sitting, crawling, and pulling up
• Create a safe, engaging floor space

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Making Floor Time Work for Your Family

Create an Engaging Space:

• Rotate toys to keep interest high
• Use mirrors, books, and sensory toys
• Get down on the floor with your baby
• Teach older siblings ways to play with and encourage your baby in tummy time

Make It a Routine:

• Floor time after diaper changes
• Floor time during sibling play
• Floor time while you fold laundry nearby

Trust the Process:

• Babies will fuss sometimes – that’s okay!
• Frustration leads to problem-solving
• Your baby’s body knows what to do

The Bottom Line

Floor time isn’t just “nice to have” – it’s essential for healthy development. Your baby’s brain and body are designed to learn through movement, exploration, and natural progression through motor milestones.

Baby containers and devices might seem helpful, but they interrupt this natural process. Give your baby the gift of free movement, and watch them thrive!