Rolling over and Play time

Hi everyone,
My twin boys are 6 months old now. I'll post a picture as soon as I can figure out why it won't let me. Anyway, my boys were born at 36 weeks and were 5lbs. 6oz and 5lbs. Couple of questions:
1) My boys aren't rolling over yet. They rather stand with help from mommy or daddy. Should I be concerned? Maybe I need to give them more tummy time? And, could they be behind because they were born a month early?
2) The boys don't nap as often as they once did the first few months LOL!! So what do you ladies do with them during the day, like what type of games do you play? I feel horrible because most days they're bounced from their swings to their jumpers to the floor and I rarely get the chance to sit and play with them. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough to stimulate their minds. Last but not least:
3) We just started cereal at night time and Ayden loves it but Jacob is not interested.... any advice on what I can do to make him eat better? Right now they're only taking 1 tablespoon of rice mixed with their formula.

Thanks! Happy Holidays!!

 

Congrats on your babies!! And Welcome to TS!!

QUOTE(Meliss @ Dec 21 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]543706[/snapback]
I'll post a picture as soon as I can figure out why it won't let me. It won't let you put a picture in your post because in order to do that you have to be a Rewards Member . BUT you can put a link in for photobucket, snapfish, that kind of site where you first load the pictures there and then provide a link for TS.

1) My boys aren't rolling over yet. They rather stand with help from mommy or daddy. Should I be concerned? Maybe I need to give them more tummy time? And, could they be behind because they were born a month early?
My two were late rollers. My ds started rolling over at six months, but never did it alot until he was nine months. DD didn't roll at all until she was eight months, and she was another one that just didn't do it much, only when needed. I would suggest that you don't worry too much about it yet {i know, easier said then done} and just keep working on it with them. Practice it to show them all the fun they are missing. Tummy time is always a good thing, and if they don't like being on their tummy, you can put a boppy pillow or rolled up towel under their chest, so that their view is not of the floor. That wouldn't be fun for anyone. :lol:

2) The boys don't nap as often as they once did the first few months LOL!! So what do you ladies do with them during the day, like what type of games do you play? I feel horrible because most days they're bounced from their swings to their jumpers to the floor and I rarely get the chance to sit and play with them. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough to stimulate their minds.
At that time, my two were taking three naps a day. They usually went down after two hours of awake time. At this age, just you playing with them, talking to them, singing, reading, letting them explore the living room is stimulating their minds. What you described is pretty much what I did...swing, bumbo, playgym, exasaucer, jumperoo, couch...just keep changing it up for them and they'll do great!

3) We just started cereal at night time and Ayden loves it but Jacob is not interested.... any advice on what I can do to make him eat better? Right now they're only taking 1 tablespoon of rice mixed with their formula.
Mine were not fans of just plain cereal and formula, I had to mix it up with something else...like a veggie or fruit. I don't really have any other suggestions other then to give him time to get used to it and keep on trying.


Sounds like you are doing a great job momma!!! :Clap:

 

QUOTE(Meliss @ Dec 21 2007, 10:13 PM) [snapback]543706[/snapback]
Hi everyone,
My twin boys are 6 months old now. I'll post a picture as soon as I can figure out why it won't let me. Anyway, my boys were born at 36 weeks and were 5lbs. 6oz and 5lbs. Couple of questions:
1) My boys aren't rolling over yet. They rather stand with help from mommy or daddy. Should I be concerned? Maybe I need to give them more tummy time? And, could they be behind because they were born a month early?
2) The boys don't nap as often as they once did the first few months LOL!! So what do you ladies do with them during the day, like what type of games do you play? I feel horrible because most days they're bounced from their swings to their jumpers to the floor and I rarely get the chance to sit and play with them. Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough to stimulate their minds. Last but not least:
3) We just started cereal at night time and Ayden loves it but Jacob is not interested.... any advice on what I can do to make him eat better? Right now they're only taking 1 tablespoon of rice mixed with their formula.

Thanks! Happy Holidays!!

Hi there!
I used to upload photos on Photobucket.com and then take the link and put it in your post. I think that's the easiest way.

1 - My girls weren't rolling until after 7 months. I definitely wouldn't be concerned. We had an EI eval for my girls since they weren't rolling at 6 months and we were told to put them on their tummies and roll them every now and then.
2 - I used to feel the same way. At that age, we did a lot of equipment jumping too...bouncy to exersacuer to jumperoo to floor. When they were on the floor I would sing to them or play head, shoulders, knees, and toes, I would read to them...things like that.
3 - Don't push it. Emma was the same way. If I started with a bowl and she had no interest, I didn't give her any. It's all for learning right now, not for nutrition. Let him do it at his own pace. Try, try again, but definitely don't force it. My girls were only eating 2 tbsp. of cereal (between the TWO of them) at 9 months!

 

I wouldn't worry too much about the rolling. It seems like that's one milestone that babies are really all over the map with. As long as they're doing other stuff appropriate to their age, they're fine.

About what to expect for their age - always go by adjusted age. So since they were a month early, they should be acting like 5 month olds right now. That doesn't mean they're delayed or that anything's wrong - just that being born early doesn't fast forward a 36 wk fetus to the maturity of a 40 wk newborn.

About cereal - it's totally ok for them not to be interested! The AAP, WHO, etc recommend waiting until 6 months (adjusted age) to start any solids. And even then, it is only for practice. Their nutrition should still be coming from breastmilk and/or formula. Some babies take longer to get interested in solids than others - even if they're barely taking anything at 9 months, or even taking nothing at all, it's still ok. They don't really need anything other than breastmilk/formula for the first year. Just follow their cues. They'll let you know when they're interested.

About games - 5 months was kind of a frustrating time for me. They're much more awake and alert, but they can't do a whole lot yet - not a lot of hand coordination, can't crawl or sit up... At that age, we did lots of tummy time, and I'd try to keep them amused helping them play with toys (giving them different things, helping when they couldn't hang on to things, or if things got out of reach). Singing and reading to them are also great activities. Also body movement games like pattycake etc, and helping them sit/stand with your support. And whenever weather permits, stroller walks are also great - just seeing the world is wonderful stimulation for them!

Sounds like you're doing great! Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks a lot! I feel much better and Jacob actually rolled over today.... 4 times! My husband had him on the floor and all of sudden he rolled!!! Yeah! Now we just have to work on Ayden. Thanks for the advice ladies!

Melissa