With the 1992 launching of the "Back to Sleep" campaign aimed at reducing the incidence of SIDS, some unexpected negative consequences have resulted. This may be one of the factors behind some of the learning challenges that I see every day. The American Physical Therapy Association's article reported, "physical therapists who saw an increase in motor delays said that the lack of "tummy time," or the amount of time infants spend lying on their stomachs while awake, is the number one contributor to the escalation in cases." But it's not just motor skills that are impacted, inadequate tummy time seems to take a toll on cognitive areas and self regulatory areas as well.
Here are just a couple articles for you to check out for yourself:
American Physical Therapy Association Article
Ideas for Tummy Time
More Ideas for Tummy Time
An Occupational Therapists perspective on the issue and the article she was commenting on.
Has the cause of SIDS been found - Healthy Child Article
Stop SIDS now Article
The ultimate source on this issue - tons of links, make up your own mind.
Some more options on mattresses that I've researched or used.
Mattress links 1 or 2 I've purchased 100% latex dunlap mattresses here, cheapest I found.
