Tummy time. « Back to Group Discussions

[ilovetchotchkes]

So i know tummy time is important. 

Does anyone else count sling riding and when baby chills on your chest as tummy time? 

[Ninetales]

That's the only "tummy time" I do. My kids like to be upright as soon as possible so I've never had a need for structured tummy time.

[ilovetchotchkes]

My son hated it and if I can avoid the howling all the better! She loves sling riding and zonks to sleep between my breasts, I think it's because she can hear my heartbeat

[Veritas Vitae]

When are you supposed to start tummy time?  I'm a total newb...I thought it was later.

[KristyDi]

I don't worry about tummy time.  I figure as much as I wear my infants (all tummy to tummy) that covers it.  Never did tummy time with my Older DD either.

[sallyrae17]

I do tummy time with my kids. I also wear my babe every day for at least an hour or two. I started tummy time when Baby M was about 2 weeks old and I let her stay on her tummy for about 15-20 minutes or until she gets so frustrated that she can't handle it anymore. 

[Tizzy]

My babies have all liked to sleep on their tummy occasionally plus they spens a fair bit of time on mine or DH's chest, they've all had exception head control from an early age too. That doesnt mean they've crawled or walked earlier than within the range of "normal".

[sallyrae17]

I don't know if tummy time makes your baby crawl faster - my son was just incredibly motivated to move. He held his head up the day he was born and started crawling at 4 1/2 months. It was rather intense and I was NOT ready to have a mover at that age. He didn't walk early or anything, though - the standard 11 months or so. 

[LilyTiger]

We aren't doing tummy time per se since she sleeps on me a lot and her head control is actually pretty amazing at this stage.  She's already holding her head up and looking around, so I don't think it's necessary for her right now.  I did stick her on her tummy today and all I got for my trouble was a load of spit up.  Guess I should wait longer after nursing.  Hmph.

[iixivboots]

Did you guys see this post is featured in the mothering newsletter?

Aug12DDC is always the heartbeat of MDC! hehe.

[ilovetchotchkes]

Originally Posted by bootsvalentine 

Did you guys see this post is featured in the mothering newsletter?

Aug12DDC is always the heartbeat of MDC! hehe.

hahaha!!! awesome!!

[Sol_y_Paz]

More than 1 way to do tummy  time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3rCtW9DMD4

[rebecca10]

DD1 absolutely loved floor tummy time from about one week on, so we did a lot of it.. That said, if your baby hates it, I doubt it's critical.  I haven't tried it yet with DD2, whose only 5 days old, but we'll probably give it  try soon.

[CCoello]

We've just been doing a lot of keeping Armie on our chests, holding him and wearing him - and his head/neck control seems great to me! I think tummy time is only necessary if a baby is on his back/reclining/supported all the time.

[LilaLove]

Hi, y'all,

I am a mother and a pediatric, early childhood occupational therapist.  We specialize in development (hitting gross/fine motor milestones and the like). Tummy time is working belly down against gravity to strengthen the muscles of the neck, back, and core.  So important, not just for later crawling, but for lifelong stability and strength in the body.  Wearing baby is a wonderful way to bond and snuggle, but is not tummy time.  Like I said, belly down, against gravity (in a sling they are upright). Being prone (face down) on top of an adult is wonderful.  If your baby is aversive to tummy time, try placing him/her against your chest and then leaning back so you are at a 45+ deg. angle.  just hold on under their butt so it doesn't turn into an opportunity for your baby to stand up instead. Also, try not to belly flop your baby on to the floor!! Consider how you would feel if that's how someone put you down - you probably wouldn't like tummy time either! Consider lying down on the floor with your baby, and rolling him/her on to his side facing you....This is a nice introduction to not just being on his back.... Very gently, pull on the top hip to bring him on to his belly.  If he fusses, give him a minute to figure it out.  offer a favorite toy, or book, or your smiles. Then, when you feel he's done, get out!  You will find that over time they will really enjoy this position.  My daughter started rolling ON TO her tummy at 4 mos. because she didn't want to be on her back any more. She will spend 20+ minutes at a time (at 4.5 mos) iin tummy time, looking in a mirror I've set up for her and laughing!

Also also (sorry, I'm a bit sleep deprived, hence the nonsensical writing)! It is a common trap to assume that babies "want" to stand up very young.  They want to be where you are -- if you are on the floor, they want to be on the floor.  If you are high up in a chair, they probably want to be standing on your lap! In my experience, babies who spend a lot of time in standing have a more difficulty developing the skills needed for crawling because they get used to being upright.  Give your baby the opportunity to move like a baby!

[KristyDi]

Lila, are you saying the olny way for a child to develop strong, healthy neck, back and core muscles is tummy time?  That seems ulikely to me and illoogical from a biological standpoint.  I seriously doubt infants in tribal cultures spend much if any time on their tummies since most of their time is spent being worn. Would you argue that all those children have under developed neck. backs and cores?

As I understand it tummy time is a reaction to the culture we live in where babies spend so much of their time lying on their backs in carseats, swings etc.  It follows that if you give the child plenty of time to be in positions that don't support them the way laying down does, then other muscles will be exercised.