Tummy Time

wheresmaiboo · August 2015

I am guilty of not doing tummy time regularly. My LO is 11 weeks and he's probably done tummy time only 10 times. I tried to google the possible side effects of not doing tummy time a lot and nothing really comes up besides flat head. He does have a very strong neck though.

Will me not having him do tummy time often cause him to crawl or develop late?

almakie · August 2015

I'm not sure about his late development but I haven't been doing it regularly. Even if you just put him on your chest and encourage to look around that way. I think tummy time is meant help strengthen there neck muscles etc.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong!

aj1327 · August 2015

I honestly am not totally sure, but a nurse at the hospital right before we left told me to make sure to put him on his tummy. She said babies aren't ever on their tummies anymore and it's causing developmental delays. I do it everyday, sometimes for a while and sometimes only for a bit. LO used to fuss but tolerates it so much better now (9 wks). I'm guessing it helps them learn to crawl.

laurendutch · August 2015

I'm pretty sure that it has to do with crawling and now a lot of kids are missing that milestone bc they aren't on their stomachs a lot anymore.

MaliKaela · August 2015

I struggle to remember to do it. It doesn't help that LO dislikes it so much. I've been trying to do "airplane" or chest to chest at least once a day when we play. We also do "naked tummy time" after every bath. It's become part of the routine so I don't forget and it also gives his bum a chance to air out and prevent diaper rash. Try to incorporate it into something you do daily, even if it's only five minutes it should help.

laurendutch · August 2015

I always do it for eat, play sleep. Even if it's for 5 minutes!

YouAreMySunshine15 · August 2015

We usually do it in the morning after breakfast when she's pretty alert and happy. Sometimes we forget. But she spends a lot of time on my chest and she holds her head up really well when being held. I'm more concerned about her arm strength. She can't push herself up. 8.5 weeks.

teather5 · August 2015

12 weeks and mine still hates tummy time on the playmat and more recently on the chest too. I'm starting to get kinda concerned bc he shows little signs of being able to roll over and can't really push up with his arms. When I do tummy time (often) he just buries his face in the mat and cries. I'll keep at it.

aligons · August 2015

@teather5 Same here! He doesn't like his playmat either. I tried the boppy but he always tips over it. Tried just lying him on the bed and he buries his head there too. I'm getting worried too. But he loves sleeping on his tummy though. Hopefully it'll get better.

laurendutch · August 2015

Mine only lasted two minutes and screamed the whole time for her morning playtime

KarasTwin · August 2015

Mine hates it, too. Cries like mad. I usually do it with him laying on my chest. The pediatrician ok'd it and my BIL who has his doctorate in physical therapy said that works just as well.

janat1717 · August 2015

Same, I did get a mirror which helps. We do tons on the chest but he usually just falls asleep there. He'll pick head up but can't hold it there long and def. can't support on forearms.

laceymarie3 · August 2015

You can try putting them on their tummy on an exercise ball. Holding them on and gently rolling it back so they are more vertical, and then back up. Good luck!

MaliKaela · August 2015

It's too early to be worrying about neck and arm strength!

https://www.parents.com/advice/babies/baby-development/when-can-my-baby-hold-her-head-up/

staceyfern · August 2015

teather5 said:
12 weeks and mine still hates tummy time on the playmat and more recently on the chest too. I'm starting to get kinda concerned bc he shows little signs of being able to roll over and can't really push up with his arms. When I do tummy time (often) he just buries his face in the mat and cries. I'll keep at it.

Mine is the same way at ten weeks. I don't know what else to do. My husband tells me not to worry but I do a bit. Though hi does lift it well when on my shoulder. And has amazingly strong legs. So much so that last week he was so upset with tummy time he rolled himself over.

bethanne09 · August 2015

Just keep taking it slow. It's still early and our babes have plenty of time to get comfortable without Mommy getting worried. They're probably still right on track, it's just harder to notice when they're screaming and fussing about being on tummies. It will be okay. You're all wonderful Mommies and your babies think you're doing a great job. Don't be so hard on yourself. Don't give up. LO will get there.

HayesRN13 · August 2015

amccoy129 said:
I honestly am not totally sure, but a nurse at the hospital right before we left told me to make sure to put him on his tummy. She said babies aren't ever on their tummies anymore and it's causing developmental delays. I do it everyday, sometimes for a while and sometimes only for a bit. LO used to fuss but tolerates it so much better now (9 wks). I'm guessing it helps them learn to crawl.

This is a huge assumption from a nurse... You can lean back with LO on your chest and have them lift their head, plus they like being on mom more than a cold hard floor and will be more willing to do it

aj1327 · August 2015

@HayesRN13 just in the past 2 weeks I started using the boppy or putting him on a mat because he actually likes it now. Before I always did it on me. Definitely liked it a lot better!

pearlv88 · August 2015

A public health nurse and our doctor said that tummy time includes when they are lying on our chest and looking around or even while holding them upright and they're holding their head up. Also in football hold on their tummy. Hope this helps!

theletlers · August 2015

My LO might not sleep well but he loves tummy time. We do it 3-4 times most days because he calms down that way at times. We do it for 10-12 minutes most times. He also started rolling over the other day during it! Didn't expect it at 6:30 am!! I doubt he keeps doing that often until he is older but it was very exciting!

psychoexgirlfriend · August 2015

My friend who lives in Japan says they are never told to do tummy time, and I don't believe there are any developmental delays over there. In any case both her kids (age 4 and age 13 months) seem to be right on track with the kids born here in North America. Ever since I heard that from her, I've been less worried about tummy time. My kid will eventually learn to hold up her head.

CBHoneyB · August 2015

I'm not sure about delays but my 7 week old spends most of her time on her stomach when she's down. She hates to be on her back.

ktjohnson87 · August 2015

My little girl turned At two months 2 days ago and rolled from tummy to back 6 times. She doesn't mind tummy time but honestly her neck had been super strong since day one so I think that is why she is so great at tummy time and can roll over.

virginiaunicorn11 · August 2015

Are we seriously entertaining the comment about developmental delays?!

Anyway. My kid isn't a big fan of tummy time but he's 10 weeks now, so we've been stepping it up. He went from face down crying to holding his head up an inch, for about 10 seconds, overnight! Just wanted to report the sudden, "drastic" improvement in case it encourages anyone else. I was getting a little... not worried, but hopeful that he'd improve soon. So today was a nice surprise.

We used a small cushion under his chest the past few days. And my mother, a physical therapist, told me that pushing his butt down gently gives him more leverage. So maybe that's the difference.

DolphinLover2002 · August 2015

Our pediatrician said that tummy time is very important because it builds muscles. It strengthens their neck, arms and back. He said it starts the foundation for good muscle growth. He said nothing about developmental delays from not doing it. We try to do it every day. I have the girls face each other so they know they're not alone. They still hate it and cry.

pixieprincss · August 2015

Clearly this is not in-line with mainstream medical advice, but from an anthropological standpoint putting a helpless baby face down on the ground doesn't make sense. There's another way the species has been developing those muscles and skills throughout humanity. My guess is laying on mama's belly, being held upright, and being worn fits the bill. We're three for three on kids hitting developmental milestones. I credit babywearing, which we do a ton of each day.

marlener25 · August 2015

I have an almost three year old and we rarely did tummy time with him. Met all milestones, no developmental delays or muscle problems. Just a bit of a flat head. We are trying to do it more with our 9 week old though, because I feel guilty that we barely did it with DS1.

MaliKaela · August 2015

From a developmental perspective it is true that cultures around the world have varying practices with regard to how they place their babies and developmental effects are negligible. For example, I forget where but one culture practically straps their babies to a wooden board during the first months of life and they are fine! Studies indicate that despite variations such as these babies don't really vary by more than a couple of months on major milestones. I'm more concerned with the back of the head being flat, which also has no developmenta significance, but does look kind of funny! I think all of our babies will really be ok regardless!

dancegurl1118 · August 2015

I was just talking to another new mom about this the other day..I said how many 60 year olds do you see walking around with their heads hanging because their parents never did tummy time (a new phenomenon). Yes, I completely understand the point however unless your child is laying flat on its back day in and day out there are MANY other ways for them to strengthen their neck and core than just plopping them on their bellies and hoping they don't sound like you're torturing them. Most of those ways you do without even noticing..

beckyk9109 · August 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
I was just talking to another new mom about this the other day..I said how many 60 year olds do you see walking around with their heads hanging because their parents never did tummy time (a new phenomenon). Yes, I completely understand the point however unless your child is laying flat on its back day in and day out there are MANY other ways for them to strengthen their neck and core than just plopping them on their bellies and hoping they don't sound like you're torturing them. Most of those ways you do without even noticing..

Agreed. Other than my sister, the rest of my family and older family friends were all, "what the heck is tummy time?" Not saying it's not important, but all their kids turned out just fine without it so I don't stress too much that my girls hate it with a passion

Also, the mental picture of a 60 year old hanging their head made me laugh out loud...

aresee · August 2015

My understanding is that it was recommended starting when they stopped recommending babies sleep on their stomachs, because they still wanted babies to get some (supervised) time on their bellies. Changed in the '90s?

But yeah, we try to do it, but I don't stress. LO is only okay at picking his head up during tummy time, but he's great at holding it up when he's upright over my shoulder. He'll figure it all out eventually.

YouAreMySunshine15 · August 2015

I'm so proud! We just did tummy time on the mat and she really held her head up! Several times and she was SMILING. Usually she lays there and drools, roots, and cries. We "try" to do tummy time on the mat every morning and I carry her around all day. I guess that's helping. I don't know. I was just happy and cheering and clapping my hands :-h

They'll all get there when they're ready, scheduled tummy time or not.

JessHeppell · August 2015

dancegurl1118 said:
how many 60 year olds do you see walking around with their heads hanging because their parents never did tummy time

theres actually an elderly man in my town that you always see walking around and his head hangs. he also has a big ol gut that he pulls his sweatpants over.

lwhrmomma · August 2015

LO loves tummy time. We have a great Fisher Price wedge that plays music and vibrates. We prop him on that, and put a mirror in front of him. He lasts probably 15-20 minutes before we move on to our next "station". He is 12 weeks, and doesn't roll over yet, but is able to lift his head high up and look around the room. The wedge is probably our best baby item- I absolutely recommend it to anyone whose LO hates tummy time.

teather5 · August 2015

@kristenk727 is this it?

krystleshel · August 2015

ktjohnson87 said:
My little girl turned At two months 2 days ago and rolled from tummy to back 6 times. She doesn't mind tummy time but honestly her neck had been super strong since day one so I think that is why she is so great at tummy time and can roll over.

My girl does this too!
A friend on FB with a 7 week old freaked out & posted a video of her LO going from tummy to back & was saying how ahead her LO was & they don't do this until 4 months. I didn't have the heart to burst her bubble but just liked it.

Here's some tummy time today. She was squealing at me.

lwhrmomma · August 2015

@teather5 yes that's it!! He seriously loves it... We use it for tummy time, and also for him to lay on in his activity zoo. The music and vibration keep him entertained for a long time.

KonaCoffeeBean · August 2015

My son isn't wild about tummy time, and we weren't great about remembering to do it. Then he started rolling over last week and we pretty much quadrupled the amount of tummy time, because we love seeing him roll over. Poor guy.

henrytviii · August 2015

DS still isn't a fan at 12 weeks. He seems capable of lifting his head and looking around but he'd just rather not. He seems like like it more naked so I try to do it while changing his diaper for a minute or two. We also try to carry him around the house on his belly with our arm between his legs, hard to describe but it lets him work on his neck strength without tummy time.

Honestly this kid loves to lie flat on his back. I really want him to be touched and cuddles more and I don't want him to have a flat head so DH (who stays home) is trying to do more baby wearing. More to help me relax than to benefit LO! I'm not worry about him being delayed from the back lying, but I don't want him to resist human touch. Cue baby yoga and massage. Again probably more to make me stress less.

bethanne09 · August 2015

LO is all about tummy time here, but he's started rolling over the second I put him down. I think it's hilarious, but it does really shorten the amount of time he's on his tummy. After the fourth or fifth time I just let him dance on his back. I wear him most of the day so I'm not worried about flat head.

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