How important is "tummy time"?

[aries girl]

I was just wondering what you all thought of tummy time and how important it is? Our ped said he doesn't think it's that important, but then I told a group of moms what he said and they were all a bit horrified. My DS does not enjoy being on his tummy so I don't tend to put him on it that often, except for on my chest when I'm lying down. Do you all think it's an important part of developing head and arm strength? Will my DS have a hard time crawling if I don't encourage him to be on his tummy?

[KarmaChameleon]

I had never put Patience down on her tummy until the other day, I set her on her tummy while I ran to the other room and came back and she had rolled over. So I think they just develop the head and neck strength, without "practicing" on their tummies.

In other words, i don't think it's that crucial.

[AmieV]

From what I have read it is much more crucial for babies who aren't held/carried much. So many babies these days spend SO much time in the infant carriers, swings, chairs, etc, then they sleep on their backs so they don't get much chance to develop those muscles. both of my DD's have preferred to be carried upright over your shoulder from a young age so I don't worry. DD1 rolled at 4 months, DD2 is close...it's kind of silly to me because once they can get ON their tummies, and OFF again...then you can't keep them off their tummies and you wonder why you wasted time stressing over "tummy time".

[Bartock]

Also spending to much time on the back, creats a flat head, either directly on the back, or what ever side they favor laying on, I have some people I know and there kids have flat heads due to no tummy time. My DS1 got it as well, its gone now, but the side he favored was flat.

[veganf]

I've never done tummy time, never had flattening of the head issues probably due to all the boys being carried so much (even before I owned a sling they've all just demanded to be carried), and they all developed normally.
Once they can get to their tummies themselves then they soon figure out how to get back. Shortly after that time my older 2 decided to start sleeping on their tummies much of the time, which I figured was fine once they knew how to roll over themselves.
The only official tummy time they ever had was at Gymboree classes where they have toys and mirrors to distract them and giant balls to roll them on top of.

[JenMidwife]

Originally Posted by AmieV

From what I have read it is much more crucial for babies who aren't held/carried much. So many babies these days spend SO much time in the infant carriers, swings, chairs, etc, then they sleep on their backs so they don't get much chance to develop those muscles.

Ah, I hadn't heard that, but it makes perfect sense!

[taradt]

Originally Posted by veganf

I've never done tummy time, never had flattening of the head issues probably due to all the boys being carried so much (even before I owned a sling they've all just demanded to be carried), and they all developed normally.
Once they can get to their tummies themselves then they soon figure out how to get back. Shortly after that time my older 2 decided to start sleeping on their tummies much of the time, which I figured was fine once they knew how to roll over themselves.

Mine are like this too. DD would scream when she was on her tummy. I didn't even bother this time, he spends most of his days in arms/carrier and is a very strong solid boy.
Kienan is at a stage where he will roll onto his tummy and then get mad that he is there

tara

[2 in August]

My dd screamed everytime I put her on her tummy. She wanted to be up and seeing what was going on. She didn't really tolerate it until she was ready to crawl at about 11mo. She started walking just a few weeks after that. Ds doesn't mind being on the blankie and he started rolling over a few weeks ago. He'll tolerate being on his tummy for awhile but he gets frustrated quickly since he hasn't figured out how to move his hands out from under him yet.

[lenore80]

Originally Posted by aries girl

My DS does not enjoy being on his tummy so I don't tend to put him on it that often, except for on my chest when I'm lying down.

That qualifies as tummy time!

Different peds say different things. Mine says I am allowed to swaddle as long as I wants, as long as I use a receiving blanket. Whereas all the advice I have read says to quit at 4 months.

[JenMidwife]

Originally Posted by lenore80

Different peds say different things. Mine says I am allowed to swaddle as long as I wants, as long as I use a receiving blanket. Whereas all the advice I have read says to quit at 4 months.

I haven't heard anything about this... why does it matter what kind of blanket? Why do some recommend stopping @ 4 mos?

[lenore80]

Originally Posted by JenMidwife

I haven't heard anything about this... why does it matter what kind of blanket? Why do some recommend stopping @ 4 mos?

You don't want to use a big, thick, adult blanket. A handknit baby size or receiving blanket is fine.

Most doctors (Dr. Sears included) want you to stop swaddling around 4 months. It can cause problems with the hip development. I used to use a Miracle Blanket and the instruction said to stop after 4 months (she's probably too big for it now anyways).

I only swaddle her for naps when she's in her cosleeper. At night she sleeps with us in the big bed, no swaddling. She's always been able to bust through the swaddling, even as a newborn. Now I think she likes it for naps-ohsocozy.

[NewAtThis]

DD has hated tummy time up to about a week ago. She spends a lot of time in arms or in the sling, so I wasn't worried about it. But lately, when I put her on her tummy, she seems to like it! She pivots around, lifts her legs up like her bottom half wants to crawl, pushes herself up, rolls over, and back. Maybe now that she is stronger and can do more, she is enjoying it more?
She also seems to like it when me and the dog are down at face level with her...she'll smile and laugh and reach out for us...it's so cute!

[ColoradoMama]

My first baby hated being on her tummy, so she never had "tummy time." The few times I tried she just got really sad, so that didn't last! She crawled at 7 months, so I don't think she was harmed by it!

Louis, on the other hand, LOVES being on his tummy!