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How much tummy time does your baby get?
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Anonymous
| My 9-week-old HATES tummy time. I know that's not unusual, but there is no way either one of us can stand the 30 minutes a day that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends. I get down on the floor with him, sing to him, show him toys, but he still cries. So how much tummy time do you really do with your baby? If he cries, do you still just tough it out? |
Anonymous
| My son hates tummy time also but I found that if I lay down on my back and put him on his tummy on top of me he does not mind it as much.. still gets the exercise of lifting his head etc. |
Anonymous
| I didn't do tummy time with either of my kids. We used an exersaucer to get them off their heads/backs. |
Anonymous
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We might do 5-10 minutes at a time, a few times a week. But DS (3 mos) also spends time in the carrier and laying on our chests so he gets the exercise.
He doesn't hate tummy time the way a lot of babies do; we just don't get to it that often. |
Anonymous
I thought Exersaucers weren't recommended for babies under 4 months? |
Anonymous
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We didn't do much formal tummy time until DS rolled and decided he preferred being on his belly (about 3 mos). However, he spent a lot of time in a sling in an upright position, which I have been told is also good for building head/neck control as well as avoid plagio.
When he was tiny, I did sometimes remember to put him on his tummy in his crib after diaper changes, while I went to wash my hands. Good way to get short bursts of tummy time, although if you have a baby who is upset after diaper changes it might not help if he is already pissed off before being put on his tummy. |
Anonymous
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My son never did tummy time because he'd scream and I'd pick him up. He also never crawled because he hated being on his stomach and I didn't make him do it. He went from sitting, to pulling himself up, to walking. So yes kids, you don't always have to crawl before you walk.
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Anonymous
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OP, Tummy time can be very challenging for some children but it is so important for proper development. Just keep trying and make it as "fun" as you can. Get on the floor opposite your baby and sing, make funny noises, hold up favorite toys etc. to keep interest.
I would not suggest using a positioning toy such as an exersaucer as a substitute for tummy time. Tummy time is given to babies so that they can develop gross motor skills. |
Anonymous
They aren't! Crazy to use them before 6 months. |
Anonymous
I've never heard it was crazy to use them before 6 months. My DS had great back and neck control and loved the exersaucer from about 4 months on. He turned out just fine. |
Anonymous
| OP, my DD hated tummy time too. Hated it! The only things that sort of helped were putting her on a wedge-shaped boppy pregnancy pillow and using a stand-up mirror thing for her to look in. Honestly, though, I don't think she got the recommended amount of tummy time. She did take a very long time to roll over, but other than that developed normally and walked at 11 months. |
cuzimawesome
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Haha! I hear ya PP. Another over anxious parent is freaking out. Babies develop at different rates. My son was sitting up by himself at four months... so he started using the exersaucer around that time. It's not like I'm putting my newborn in there all slumped over with his head all lolling around. Peeps need to mellow a bit. |
cuzimawesome
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| Oh, and my little guy gets plenty of tummy time. He sleeps on his tummy. |
Anonymous
Ok, I posted the original reply. I forget to preface everything! ALL CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT! My ds started using it at 3 months. He had total head control at 2 months and could remain in a seated position too (tripod sit). Most PT would stone me in the public square but he also sat in it maybe a total of 2 hours a day (20 mins here, 20 minutes there). If your child is not low tone, it is fine. DS was fully walking at 10 months (walking not crawling). My younger child started walking at 8 months. Again in the world of child development I think there is a very wide definition of normal. I don't know what OP's child is like but if s/he is like my children, there are plenty of alternatives to tummy time that won't cause delays. |
Anonymous
Same here. I also lie on my back with knees bent, balance my son on my shins, and lift my feet off the floor ... we bounce a little and he loves peering around the room. Kinda like the old airplane game. |