how much tummy time per day? - Page 2

[Plarka]

To make it more fun for her, get right down with her so she doesn't feel alone down there, put pictures in front of her, toys...mirrors...talk to her....That's all I can think of right now!

Do it as much as possible. I only ever put dd2 on the floor on her tummy and she started crawling on her belly just before 5 months. I know for sure it's from being on her tummy all day (except when I was wearing her). Not only does it help strengthen their muscles, but it also gives them the opportunity to crawl. If they're always held or 'contained' (nice term!) they won't even get a chance to crawl if they want to! Anyway, keep up the good work, do it as much as she'll tolerate and get right down with her!

[paxye]

Originally Posted by Plarka

If they're always held or 'contained' (nice term!) they won't even get a chance to crawl if they want to! Anyway, keep up the good work, do it as much as she'll tolerate and get right down with her!

Though I agree with the containment problem, I don't agree with the holding comment. I baby wear all the time, we never did tummy time and my kids have crawled and walked quite early... (my youngest is 6 1/2 months and crawling, cruising and walking around holding onto a toy and has never had "tummy time")

Holding, baby wearing and carrying are not the same thing as using "containers".. muscles are being used, sense of balance is being learned and so is rhythm of movement.

I also have to say that I don't "get down there" with my kids... I don't have the time and I would rather interact with my kids in other ways...

[Gemini529]

My son used to hate tummy time, although he has always preferred sleeping on his tummy. I imagine that it would be pretty scary for a baby who has no muscle strength in their arms to have to lay face down on the floor. But my baby likes to be held pretty much all the time when he is awake. And unless he is being fed, he won't tolerate the cradle hold...he just wants to be held so he can put his hands on my shoulders and peer behind me. I think doing that alone is pretty good exercise for the arms and neck. Just being held in general causes them to stiffen up a little and use their muscles.

Have you tried using a boppy? That helps in the early weeks because then they're not laying flat on the floor. Or lay in a recliner and put the baby on your chest. She will do little pushups to look up and see your face. That counts as tummy time.

There's nothing wrong with using a baby seat or bouncy seat sometimes, it's just that some people just transfer the baby from the bouncy to the car seat to the pack n play bassinet then back to the bouncy seat again. And the baby never gets off their back. Just try to make an effort to carry her as much as you can. Her neck muscles will develop just fine.

Now that my baby can roll over if he wants, he doesn't mind tummy time. The only reason he fusses now is because he is trying desperately to crawl but doesn't quite have the technique down. So he scooches very slowly across his play mat.

[ebbb]

I'm not concerned that she's going to get a flat head, the only time she is in her car seat is when we are driving, which might be 1 hour/week and I don't even have a bouncy chair or a swing or anything. When she is carried it is either up looking over my shoulder or on my hip, she hates cradle hold. When I'm sitting with her, she is always sitting up too with me supporting her so she doesn't fall over. I mostly want to make sure that she gets enough time to get arm strength. She's been seeming to enjoy her tummy time much more in the past few days and I'm surprised at how strong she is becoming. Seeing how far she's coming in such little time makes me realise how fast she is growing up!!

[Devaskyla]

Originally Posted by paxye

Never did tummy time because I don't believe that it is needed when a baby is being worn often and not in a contraption all day. There is no reason for it.

If you are babywearing, no tummy time is needed, their muscles will develop in the way they are meant to..

[Plarka]

Originally Posted by paxye

Though I agree with the containment problem, I don't agree with the holding comment. I baby wear all the time, we never did tummy time and my kids have crawled and walked quite early... (my youngest is 6 1/2 months and crawling, cruising and walking around holding onto a toy and has never had "tummy time")

Holding, baby wearing and carrying are not the same thing as using "containers".. muscles are being used, sense of balance is being learned and so is rhythm of movement.

I also have to say that I don't "get down there" with my kids... I don't have the time and I would rather interact with my kids in other ways...

I don't mean their muscles won't develop, I know being held or worn helps with that. I just mean every time they're on the floor is a chance for them to crawl, and being held isn't!