While we're doing Q and A

mork

Any suggestions on encouraging DD to lift her head while on her tummy? You know, the lift the shoulders and head to a 90 degree angle thing. She'll do it if we are sitting in a reclined position and have her tummy to tummy, but on the floor she's like a log. No head or shoulder lifting at all.

I've been attributing it to the massive size and weight of her head, as the difference between it and her body are over 50 percentiles and the 12mo hats are now too small at only 5mo old. But, she's going to have to start trying so she can build up those muscles.

Things we've tried: increasing the amount of tummy time daily, and trying to make her follow a toy and move her head, but she just doesn't care when on her tummy.

Ladiebug710

I think you just have to keep trying with tummy time and eventually it will just happen.  If she will do it tummy to tummy in the reclined position, how about if you lay flat, will she do it then?  What about if you lift her up and do airplane?  Does her head hang down, or can she hold it with her back/neck muscles in that position?

JuddandJessica

Put her chest on a boppy with her chin over the side slightly and place an interesting toy on the other side of the boppy. Be there for support but she'll have to support her head more.

mork

Ooooo, awesome suggestions already, sweet! Thanks ladies!

Oatoa

JuddandJessica:

Put her chest on a boppy with her chin over the side slightly and place an interesting toy on the other side of the boppy. Be there for support but she'll have to support her head more.

This!  BIg fan of the Boppy.

Missa_g

JuddandJessica:

Put her chest on a boppy with her chin over the side slightly and place an interesting toy on the other side of the boppy. Be there for support but she'll have to support her head more.

A rolled up blanket can work, too. Lots and lots of tummy time will help.

cmumama

We struggled with tummy time with DS1.  I had to physically put his arms in the right position (he used to put them behind him with his hands pointing towards his feet) and then play with toys right in front of him.  I would often have to re-position him.  I would get his attention with the toy and then move it slowly up so that he would follow it with his head.  We started off doing this for a few min at a time, a few times/day.  Eventually he could go longer and longer and just started to "get it."

ETA: I agree with the boppy suggestion.  We did that with DS1 as well.  But we were consistent with working on the tummy time and it did eventually click.  He was in PT b/c of it!