Book on How to Do Tummy Time | Author Unboxing of Tummy Time and Learning to Roll
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👋 Hello everyone! This is a blog post based on the youtube live I did to celebrate unboxing my new book: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers in October 2023!
When I initially did the youtube live to share the moment with my channel and subscribers, it was quite an adventure with technology (I mean of course!). I loved sharing my new book with them and I am excited to share it here with you as well.
To watch the unboxing of my new book, "Tummy Time and Learning to Roll," check out the video linked below.
This book, crafted for ambitious parents and pediatric providers, aims to demystify the often challenging stages of tummy time and rolling, offering guidance to help babies roll independently.
Released in October 2023, when I first held it in my hands it felt surreal, and I'm thrilled to take you through this journey to share more about why I wrote this book and what it’s like to be a self-published author FOUR TIMES now :)
Why This Book?
As a pediatric physical therapist, I've seen firsthand how tummy time can be a struggle for both babies and parents. And rolling? Well, that's another story, with its own set of complexities.
Parents often ask me (or Google) questions like:
Why is my baby rolling in one direction but not the other?
Why over one arm but not the other?
Why does my baby hate tummy time?
When should my baby roll over?
What does it mean if my baby is not rolling over?
And…
Why is my baby not rolling over by… 4 months, 5 months, 6 months, 7 months, etc.
These questions often linger in the minds of parents, and I wanted to create a resource that not only answers these but also provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and facilitating these crucial developmental stages.
I believe that parents are completely capable of influencing how their children move, if they are given access to information.
Do some children absolutely need Pediatric Physical Therapy? Yes.
But could parents truly influence their children’s ability to move if Physical Therapists took the time to educate them in a way that is accessible to the masses? Also, absolutely yes.
That is one of the reasons I feel so called to write books, because they are accessible internationally. In places where Pediatric Physical Therapy might not be.
So I am here, with those resources, for you to take action if that is something you are ready to do.
A Peek Inside Tummy Time and Learning to Roll:
A Baby Development Book for Parents
Let's dive into what makes this book a must-have for parents, caregivers, and pediatric providers:
Tailored for Parents and Providers: Initially titled for a clinician audience, I quickly realized my primary aim was to empower parents.
This book is, first and foremost, for you, the ambitious parent eager to support your baby's development. Pediatric healthcare providers looking to deepen their understanding of baby movement from a pediatric PT's perspective will find it equally beneficial.
The truth is, I included EVERYTHING – because some parents want that, heck some parents who do not have access to a Pediatric Physical Therapist in their area NEED THAT.
If you don’t, it’s totally encouraged to skip the more in depth sections – in fact – there is a “beginners route,” and a more “advanced route,” just so you know in advance which chapters might be a little more in depth.
Trust me, if it feels overwhelming, I would much rather you skip it than try to take on too much. Use this book as a workbook, in any way that feels right to you. It will always be there if you feel ready to tackle more.
More Than Just a Book: What sets this apart is its approachability and practicality. It's almost like having a pediatric PT in your pocket!
With checklists and step-by-step guides, it's designed to be your companion, helping you navigate the nuances of tummy time and rolling with confidence.
I don’t know about you, but I am ALL ABOUT A GOOD CHECKLIST.
When I have a problem, I want a step by step on how to solve: it’s how my brain works and I was happy to create three for you that are located in this book: tummy time, rolling back to belly, and rolling belly to back.
Unlocking the Free Online Video Course: Yes, you read that right. The book comes with a free online video course to visually guide you through each exercise and concept. This is about making sure you have all the tools and support you need, right at your fingertips.
If you have questions, parents can also find my Online Parent Consultation link to book 1:1 time throughout the course.
From Proofs to the Final Product
Receiving the author proofs was a moment of validation and anticipation. It allowed me to refine and ensure the book's message was clear: This is for parents and caregivers, ready to embark on a developmental journey with their little ones.
The final product, with its vibrant cover and detailed content, is something I'm incredibly proud of. I can’t quite explain what it’s like to hold something that you envisioned in your mind, in real life.
After countless hours and hours over eight months, I was finally able to hold all my work in my hands. It is absolute joy to know it exists to help others, if they need it or are curious about learning more on how babies develop what they need in order to roll.
If you’re curious, here are a few things about the writing process that might surprise you:
My favorite part: writing the book, while sitting at the lake house in GA with a cup of coffee, knowing that my words were some day going to help parents help their littles move well. I was also really surprised about how many mamas were excited to share photos of their babies to help make the book even better.
The hardest part: EDITING. oh my Lord, it is mentally exhausting. This is my longest book yet, and while it is best practice to hire an editor, at the time, I did not feel comfortable about putting the $1,000 to put up front (we were moving and I did not have a job and limited income coming in at the time).
I interviewed a few editors to see if the process would be helpful or needed. The honest part is that I felt kind of crappy NOT hiring an editor, even though this is book #4 and I haven’t hired one yet.
I do think, generally speaking, that hiring an editor is smart. In my case, instead, I had a few Physical Therapists read through the drafts and I paid a Mom friend with a baby in the rolling age to read through the entire book, bonus that she has an English degree.
Then once that was done, I read the entire book out loud twice.
And yes, I most definitely lost my voice on those days. But the amount of changes I made were definitely worth it.
The most creative part: I first felt called to write these books on NYE last year, when I created four book covers on accident in canva. I just thought it sounded like an awesome idea at the time. Once I had the covers created, they were so cute, I honestly couldn’t help myself but put my booty in a chair and write the book.
We’re now over a year from the moment that I first started writing this book (February 2023) and have three more to do, so onto Learning to Sit, in quarter two (April 2024).
The part that used to be really hard but was easy this time: formatting photos so that they look okay in kindle format. For those who haven’t done this before, you might not know that the way you create a book for paperback is MUCH easier than the format you need for it to be read-able on a kindle device. If you have pictures, a lot of authors will make it only available in pdf via kindle, which means you cannot access it on a kindle e-reader, much to my horror when purchasing these books on my own.
I was definitely refusing to be one of those authors, but to be honest, I’ve learned how to do everything from youtube myself so it took a bit of getting used to for the photos to not go completely crazy every time I uploaded it into the kindle website and previewed it (thank goodness for this function!).
When we created our first e-book in 2020, The Pediatric Exercise Handbook, it took me literally an entire month of 20+ hour weeks to figure out how to make it work well, and to be honest, by the end I wasn’t sure how I had even managed it.
This time, I did a little more research to format the pictures the correct way: “move with text,” and “in line with text.” And by correct, I mean it worked this time and hopefully it will next time. Either way it did not give me any trouble and took a few days instead of an entire month!
Inside the Book: A Closer Look
Tailored Sections for Every Stage: Whether you're a new parent figuring out newborn tummy time or a caregiver looking to address specific rolling challenges, there's something for everyone.
The book acknowledges that tummy time looks different for newborns and provides modified ways to make it more enjoyable and beneficial.
Inclusive and Empowering: I've ensured the book reflects the diverse roles in a baby's life, with images that include dads, uncles, and grandpas. It's important for every caregiver to see themselves in this journey, feeling empowered to engage in meaningful developmental play.
Beyond Tummy Time: Rolling involves more than just mastering tummy time. There are four essential positions, and this book covers them all, providing ideas, exercises, and insights to ensure a well-rounded developmental experience for your baby.
Practical Checklists and Exercises: The book is designed to be interactive, offering checklists and exercises that guide you through assessing and enhancing your baby's development. It encourages a proactive approach, empowering you to identify and address potential challenges early on.
to watch the full un-boxing watch the video below :)
Curious About Learning More on Tummy Time, Rolling, or Both?
The absolute best book for parents on tummy time and rolling is: Tummy Time and Learning to Roll: A Baby Development Book for Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers to Help Babies Learn to Roll Independently. The book comes with a free online video course to help parents fully understand how to complete the different exercises, printable checklists to know exactly where your baby is at, and when to reach out for additional help.
This book was written by Dr. Lauren Baker, PT, DPT, ATC, MTC, who is a Pediatric Physical Therapist in Boise, Idaho, trained in helping parents learn how to help their babies move and master their milestones. She loves teaching parents how to see how their babies are moving as well as how to influence those movements though play positions and exercises to help babies move with confidence and ease.
Tummy Time and Learning to Roll is the first book in the Proactive Play series written by Pediatric Physical Therapist Dr. Lauren Baker in order to help Ambitious Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers learn how to help babies master tummy time and learn to roll. It is meant to help ambitious parents understand baby development from birth to six months (tummy time to rolling).
This book is a mix of easy-to-follow and more in-depth information than is typically found in baby development books because Dr. Baker believes parents deserve to have all the information at their fingertips.
This book breaks down each piece of movement in checklists so that parents know what their babies need for tummy time and rolling. It also covers what areas might limit a child with rolling, why it is so important, and when to seek help from a pediatric PT.
This book comes with colored photos and easy-to-follow demonstration videos that can help parents implement safe, strategic play-based exercises with their babies in 20 minutes per day.
A Great Resource For:
Parents and Pediatric Healthcare Providers of babies 0-6 months
Parents of babies who are struggling with tummy time, rolling back to belly, belly to back, or only to one side
Access to simple, easy-to-follow videos of play positions and exercises
Learning the four pillars of movement needed in order to master rolling
240+ Color Photo Examples of:
Tummy Time, Sidelying, and Back Play
Developmental Toys and Equipment
Hand Placement and Strategic Play Positions
Common Areas of Restriction or Weakness
When To Reach Out For Help
What If You Want Extra Help?
If you have concerns about their movement, remember, you can always reach out to a pediatric physical therapist. It's your right as a parent to advocate for your child's development.
Sometimes, a few tips and tricks are all you need to get your baby moving better. We're here to support you and release those mama worries. If you are looking for in home pediatric physical therapy, check our listing of therapists.
For those eager to learn more or seeking personalized guidance, I offer online video parent consultations internationally which can be scheduled by clicking here. I am dedicated to answering questions and providing tailored play activities for each unique developmental journey.
When Should Babies Receive Pediatric Physical Therapy?
Parents can call and schedule with a Pediatric Physical Therapist at any time, for any concern in all fifty states without a referral from their Pediatrician.
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated in all babies who are not rolling in all four directions by six months (back to belly over their right arm AND left arm + belly to back over their right arm AND left arm).
Pediatric Physical Therapy is medically indicated if you notice a flat spot on the back of an infants head (possible plagiocephaly), a tilt of their head consistently to one side (ear to shoulder - possible torticollis), or a rotation preference of their neck (consistently look only to the right or left - possible torticollis).
Many Pediatric Physical Therapists including Dr. Baker, can successfully treat flat spots (Plagiocephaly) without a helmet with a combination of therapy and positioning strategies if seen prior to 4 months (0-3 months is ideal). Dr. Baker uses the Baby Begin Method of repositioning.
Flat spots can be due to in-utero positioning, rotational preference (right sided flatness most common) and babies are at an increased risk for flatness if they are male, were breech, multiple birth, premature, have difficulty with tummy time, or are in containers > 2 hr/day.
Final Thoughts
Writing "Tummy Time and Learning to Roll" has been a labor of love. My goal is to democratize access to pediatric physical therapy knowledge, ensuring every parent and caregiver has the information and tools they need to support their baby's growth and development.
If you're embarking on this journey, know that you're not alone. This book, coupled with the online resources, is here to support you every step of the way. Here's to embracing each milestone with knowledge, confidence, and joy.
For those interested, you'll find a link to purchase the book in the video description but also here and throughout this blog post. If you’ve already got the book and enjoyed it or found it helpful, please consider leaving a review and rating through amazon.
If you go to your orders on amazon, then find the book purchase, “leave a product review” should be the bottom button. I love reading about your feedback, experiences, and where the books have ended up. If you have questions they are always welcome, just book a 1:1 online parent consultation or leave a comment on the video linked above.
Let's continue this conversation and make sure you feel supported as you nurture your little ones' developmental journeys.
