Tummy Time Parent Resource | Tummy Time & Learning to Roll Book Launch
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I'm beyond excited to share something that's been a labor of love and anticipation for me. My fourth book, "Tummy Time and Learning to Roll," has officially launched on Amazon! The video linked below is my launch video when the book was first live on Amazon in October 2023.
I hope you enjoy this look back in time at what it was like to launch my fourth book as well as how it can help parents help their babies learn to roll over.
This journey of creating a resource for both ambitious parents and pediatric healthcare providers has been incredibly rewarding, and I couldn't wait to dive into this live session to celebrate with you all (then) and write this blog post to relive that celebration now.
The Birth of a Book
In the video I show you what an author proof looks like, what they send authors to make sure that the book looks how they want it and is being printed in the correct manner. These books have a ribbon around the book cover, so it’s easy to see that they are not meant to be resold.
My author proof that I showed in the video was marked with edits and adjustments, representing countless hours of passion poured onto these pages. When I edit my books, I read them out loud and then make any changes if it doesn’t sound or come across exactly how I wanted it to, in my head.
It might sound crazy but I read this book out loud twice for a total of 80 hours of editing, JUST in that one way. I also utilized grammarly and a few beta readers to help with grammar and make sure that things made sense not just to therapists but also to parents of babies who are 4-6 months old.
It's a bit surreal to see the transition from rounds of edits to a live listing on Amazon. For those curious, I've dropped the link in the description of the video and it is also located in the blog post here.
Why This Book?
Navigating the realms of tummy time and rolling can sometimes feel to parents like they need to decode a mystery.
They have questions like, "Why does my baby roll one way but not the other?" or "Why do they seem to prefer rolling over one arm?" and those questions inspired me to compile a guide that offers clear, comforting answers and actionable strategies.
Because the truth is, often our answers to what is blocking a baby from moving in all directions, can be found in HOW they are choosing to move. The movements they are already making are meaningful and if you had the information to understand the movements, you’d be able to influence them and help your kid.
Diving Deep into Development
Let's peel back the cover and explore what makes this book a must-have:
Comprehensive Guidance: With over 240 pictures, this book illustrates various playful interactions, outdoor activities, and toy suggestions to enhance your baby's tummy time experience. It's a visual party designed to inspire and educate.
My favorite is the newborn section, because those babies are so little and sweet, plus it’s often hard to find examples of tummy time for newborns but we’ve got it here. Not just tummy time, too, newborn play in all positions.
Beyond Tummy Time: The journey from tummy time through to rolling is filled with building blocks - sidelying play, back play, and the intricacies of muscular and musculoskeletal development. This book covers them all, ensuring you have a holistic understanding of your baby's physical growth.
For The Proactive Parent: I know you're not just looking for a "what to do" but a "why to do it." This book delves into how each aspect of movement connects to future milestones, equipping you with the knowledge to support your baby's journey effectively.
A Resource for Every Step
What excites me most about this book is its potential to be a starting point for anyone. Whether you're navigating the initial stages of tummy time with a newborn or facing challenges with a five-month-old not rolling yet, there's something here for you.
This book emphasizes a philosophy dear to my heart - building slowly over time, respecting your baby's tolerance, and appreciating that every little progress (even 15 seconds!) is a victory.
A Sneak Peek into Strategic Play
Let me share a bit more about what's inside.
Modified Positions: Understanding that not every baby will take to tummy time like a duck to water, the book provides modified positions and strategies to make this crucial activity more enjoyable for both you and your baby.
In fact, for most babies, I love modified positions because it allows them to build their endurance because the workload of being in a modified position is less than being flat on the floor.
The Foundation of Rolling: The book explores the various play positions (right side, left side, back, and tummy time) as foundational elements for rolling, offering insights into how you can support your baby's development in each area.
It also talks about what is happening in the body in order for a baby to be successful in rolling, did you know there are two different types of rolling for both back to belly and belly to back? All four are explained in the book.
A Special Invitation
Alongside the book, you'll gain access to a free online video course (it’s linked in the book!). Because sometimes, seeing the movement in action can clarify what words on a page can only hint at. It's like having a pediatric physical therapist right there with you, guiding you through each step.
Looking Ahead
This book marks the beginning of the Proactive Play Series, with more resources on the way to cover sitting, crawling, and walking. Even if the books for these stages aren't available yet, the rolling course provides a foundation and access to further learning through the included online courses.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who's joined this live session or is catching up later (and now reading this blog post!), thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your proactive approach to parenting, your thirst for knowledge, and your dedication to your baby's development inspire me every day.
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
If you have any questions about tummy time, rolling, or anything related to your baby's journey, please drop them in the comments of the video linked above. Whether you're here live or tuning in later, your thoughts and experiences matter. Let's continue to learn, grow, and celebrate each milestone together.
If you’ve already bought the tummy time and learning to roll book and found it helpful, please consider leaving a review by going to your orders on amazon, scrolling until you find the book, and clicking on the “leave a product review” button. Reviews are the number one thing you can do to help me increase the amount of parents who know this book exists.
Here's to tummy time, to rolling, and to every precious moment of discovery and growth ahead. You're doing an amazing job, and I'm here cheering you on every step of the way.
