Tummy Time (and my guilt)

hi all
I read recently in my local newspaper an article that advised that due to too much time on their backs and in chairs many babies have mishapen heads and weaker necks.... the author suggested that when babies are awake they should spend most of the time on their stomachs...
this article made me feel terrible because I have had my boys in chairs (rockers) most of the day and take them out one at a time to feed etc. I put them on their bellies every day to help them strengthn their necks etc and since reading that article Im trying to increase the time - but they dont enjoy it much!
I suppose my question is to the mums whose babies are crawling - do you think that lying babies on their backs and in chairs has effected your babies development?

appreciate any thoughts thanks

 

My DS NEVER is on his belly. I just now at 5 months started with him b/c he HATES it and screams when I put him down for tummy time. Well the other day, I put him down for the first time in a long while and guess what? He turned over all by himself. DD on the other hand, who loves tummy time is yet to turn over. I do put DS on my chest while laying down to help him strengthen his muscles. He will lift his head up and look around.

 

I agree that babies should spend some time on their tummies. I had my girls in their chairs for no more than half hour at a time and they spend alot of time of their tummies. Initially Athena hated it and then I woudl rahter prop her up with pillows. They could both sit unsupported at 5 months and crawled at 6 months. Victoria has now also taken her first steps. It could be because of genes, but I do believe it is because of alot of "free play" time.

 

I'm sure the author of that article was the parent of a singleton!

 

QUOTE(CHJH @ Feb 18 2008, 08:29 AM) [snapback]626703[/snapback]
I'm sure the author of that article was the parent of a singleton!


Thanks for that reply! Makes me feel better already! :winking0009:
I do try to get tummy time in..but the day flies by! Nicholas can hold his head up no problem... Anthony on the other hand is a different story-so I know he needs more work.

 

I used to work with kids with disabilities, and the therapists were always saying that even "typical" babies spend too much time in "baby holders" such as swings, bouncy seats, exersaucers, and jumpers. They said it doesn't allow the babies to strengthen the muscles that need to be strengthened, and it allows them to get stronger in places they shouldn't. For example, babies that spend a lot of time in exersaucers get strong legs without the torso strength to support them. It "allows" them to stand before they are developmentally ready to stand and develops muscles to stand as opposed to crawl.
And we did see a lot of flat heads. But I think everything in moderation. Babies who don't like to be on their tummies often have not developed the strength in their necks and arms and torsos. The only way to develop this is to have them on their tummies more... so it is hard.

 

My DD has never had much of a problem being on her belly, but DS hates hates hates tummy time. I keep at it though and the older he gets teh better he is tolerating it, I just try to put his favorite toy down there. I do know that my daughter has hit all her milestones a week or so sooner, whether that has to do with tummy time or just girls developing faster than boys, who knows!! My theory is that she is a whole lot lighter than her brother so it is easier for her to hold up her head and roll.

And FWIW, I think that alot of the flat head problems we see now are because of the 'back to sleep' campaign, spending 14-16 hours a day laying on one's back to sleep is likely the culprit more than not enough tummy time during the day. I'm not bashing the campaign, as it is designed to save lives, just that there are a few drawbacks.

 

My Joel has plagiocephaly (flattened head) and his pediatrician said it was caused by his position in utero, and that because of his position in utero, his head naturally turns to one side, and that is why it is flat--nothing we have done could have prevented it--basically, he was born with a natural tendency to look to one side, and without physical therapy, it won't correct itself.

And, my babies have maybe, since birth, spent 5 hours in a bouncy or a swing. I hardly ever use them.

 

QUOTE(xavier2001 @ Feb 18 2008, 10:14 AM) [snapback]626909[/snapback]
And FWIW, I think that alot of the flat head problems we see now are because of the 'back to sleep' campaign, spending 14-16 hours a day laying on one's back to sleep is likely the culprit more than not enough tummy time during the day. I'm not bashing the campaign, as it is designed to save lives, just that there are a few drawbacks.


My pediatrician said the same thing--the actual flattening is more due to sleeping on their backs in cribs than anything else. And what are you going to do, not lay your kid on his or her back? I don't think so...

 

My boys were in their baby papisan chairs most of the day and night for the first month and a half. Then after that they were in their swings constantly and when they got interested in looking at things they were on the floor on their activity mat on their backs. They did start to develop flat spots on their heads and I tried to do as much tummy time as possible but they really didn't like it until about 3 months. Then they started sleeping on their tummies and using the bumbo and at 4.5 months they started in their jumperoo and little by little their heads rounded back out. Jack started army crawling around 5.5-6 months and was standing on things by 7 months. James was right behind him they are now just 9 months and crawling everywhere standing without holding onto anything and standing up and down, I really don't think their development was affected at all. I always felt like I had them stuck in some kind of device but mommies of twins have to do what keeps them sane. I think as long as you attempt tummy time and when they are ready give them the opportunity to sit up, roll over, crawl ect. I think it only restricts develpment once they are at the age where they are ready to start hitting these milestones and you put them in a swing constantly or in a pack-n-play with no room to really move. Honestly mine let me know when they were ready to start moving. They still hang out for a little while in their jumper or in the pack-n-play but when they want out THEY WANT OUT! Your little ones will start giving you more and more cues as to what they want and are ready for. Trust your insticts as a mommy :hug99: I would usually just lay a big blanket on the floor with a bunch of toys and that's how they first started rolling over and getting interested in being on their tummies.