Wakeful Prone "Tummy Time" During Infancy: How Can We Help Parents?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infant Development
• Caregiver Behavior

Background:

• Wakeful prone positioning, commonly known as "tummy time," is crucial for infant motor development.
• Caregiver perspectives on implementing daily tummy time are essential for understanding adherence and challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and explore the facilitators and barriers influencing infant caregivers' ability to provide regular "tummy time."
• To gain insights into the personal experiences of caregivers regarding wakeful prone positioning.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study design utilizing thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.
• The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation - Behavior (COM-B) Model served as the framework for interviews and theme categorization.

Main Results:

• Themes such as self-efficacy, scheduling, and caregiver enjoyment acted as both facilitators and barriers.
• Facilitators included optimized environments, caregiver interest, perceived infant benefits, and a sense of accomplishment.
• Negative infant affect was identified as a significant barrier to tummy time.

Conclusions:

• The findings address a gap in understanding caregiver-reported challenges and facilitators for "tummy time."
• This research provides a foundation for developing targeted support strategies for infant caregivers.