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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To give up on tummy time?

39 replies

Krytes42 · 05/10/2014 03:19

I've been trying to do tummy time regularly with my 2.5 month old son since he was 6 weeks or so. He's never once made any attempt to lift up his head while lying on his tummy - when he was younger, he'd turn it just enough to faceplant and eat his sheets. Now, if he's in his crib, he just lies there and sucks his fist (and starts to cry after a few minutes). If he's on me, he falls asleep.

He is getting better at supporting his own head when he's propped in a sitting position or when he's being carried in the mei tai (which happens most days). I'll keep putting him on his tummy on me to try to prevent him from getting a flat head, but it seems pointless right now to continue with the tummy time in the crib / on the floor.

OP posts:

silverten · 05/10/2014 03:25

I wouldn't worry about it. Even if you only manage a couple of mins a day that's fine. The useful bit is to give him the chance to strengthen his muscles. He'll work into it in his own good time.

LittlePeaPod · 05/10/2014 03:28

I wouldn't worry Op. DD 9 months, hated tummy time. She used to plant face first into the floor or whatever she was on before screaming, as soon as you put her on her tummy. This went on until she was about 5 months I didn't really persist with it and just figgured she would do it when she was ready. Out (5/6 months) of the blue she went from hating it to been really happy on her tummy. They all do things as an when they are ready.

I was worried she would get a flat head so I bought her a flat head pillow (see link). DD never got a flat head.

www.amazon.co.uk/MIMOS-Baby-Pillow-XL-Plagiocephaly/dp/B0057MWIG0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412475781&sr=8-1&keywords=mimos+pillow

Woodenheart · 05/10/2014 03:45

I didn't worry too much, despite the health visitor going on about it

I did a few mins on her front, with a rolled up towel across shoulders, but underneath her, if that makes sense.

Then eventually I got her this playmat, it was about £8 in Argos.

Bulbasaur · 05/10/2014 04:01

DD didn't like tummy time at that age either. She could lift her head, she just chose not to and plunked her head down and cried until we picked her up. Now she's 6 months can can't get enough of the floor, and is almost crawling. Enjoy cuddling him before he wants to be down to explore.

Tummy time should be fun and relaxing for your baby, so if he only likes 2 minutes, just do two minutes. He'll have his entire life to walk and run around. Take advantage of the time you have while he's small, cuddly, and relatively low maintenance.

ChaircatMiaow · 05/10/2014 04:34

At what age should you start tummy time? I was planning on doing it from 2-3 weeks or is that ludicrous?

Notsoyummymummy1 · 05/10/2014 04:41

Seriously don't stress about tummy time - they will not spend the rest of their lives unable to raise their head if you don't do it!!! These things happen naturally honest!

milkjetmum · 05/10/2014 05:29

One tip I have us to put baby on sofa for tummy time while you sit on the floor in front of them. That way when they raise their head even a little they can see you, and you can do a little show with toys etc.

As others have said only do it as long as they can cope with, a few minutes several times a day when its convenient for you is fine.

Original poster

Krytes42 · 05/10/2014 05:42

Thank you! You all have made me feel much better. He's a very cuddly and talkative baby and loves staring at / batting at his toys, but isn't much interested in mobility of any kind at this point. I'm sure he'll get more into it eventually.

OP posts:

elsbethy · 05/10/2014 05:49

Don't worry about it. My DD hated tummy time, would scream the place down if I even tried it. She liked being carried against my shoulder from a young age, and also in the mei tai, so I just did that instead. She still managed to crawl & walk at the early end of the scale.

snowmummy · 05/10/2014 07:27

They advise tummy time to avoid flat head. In my opinion, its only important that babies are not lying on the back of the head all the time so time on you, in a sling etc are just as good.

Delphiniumsblue · 05/10/2014 07:34

Be led by your baby!

needsacuppanow · 05/10/2014 07:50

My ds hated tummy time. He cried and cried on his tummy so I gave up. I worried terribly about it at the time but there was no need. He soon learned to roll over so he could choose tummy or back and he crawled at 7 months so did not have problems with strength. I guess holding him upright so that he could look around helped build muscles just as well.
Fast foward 7 years and he's perfectly fine!

BedPig2013 · 05/10/2014 08:23

My dd didn't care for tummy time either until she was able to roll herself on to her front at about 5 months but the leader at our sure start centre used to recommend putting a nursing pillow under them so they didn't have their face on the floor and she preferred that. She's nearly 20 months now and it certainly didn't hold her back, your dc will roll on to their front when they're ready

Doodledot · 05/10/2014 08:37

Mine both hated it do I didn't do it. Both now massively sporty under 5 s

KnackeredMuchly · 05/10/2014 08:46

It's to avoid a flat head - which my son got. He didn't spemd all his time on his back either.

A couple of minutes a day after a nappy change wont hurt. I wouldn't have started so early though, no wonder it is a little frustrating for you! I know lots of people who never bothered and their children had lovely shaped heads so don't fret.

Iggly · 05/10/2014 08:49

I did it from day one.

Ds was sitting up before 5 months and walking by 9. It is supposed to help with core muscle strength.

But after about 1 year the difference is neglible as to whether you did it or not.

If you use a sling also then that's supposed to be just as good.

So I wouldn't worry.

SaucyJack · 05/10/2014 09:15

I didn't bother with any of mine. NT children will all develop in their own sweet time- plus they all have their own preference for how they like to be held (or not) or placed on the floor.

Two of mine always liked to be held sitting up anyway- and then went down the bum shuffling route. DD2 was the only one who did the traditional rolling over - crawling.

ConcreteElephant · 05/10/2014 09:25

DD had reflux and hated tummy time so I stopped it. I carried her upright in the sling and she lay on me on her tummy while I was slouching sitting on the sofa.

As long as your baby isn't flat on his back all day then he'll be fine. You're doing the right thing I think if you carry on as you say in your last paragraph.

TaurielTest · 05/10/2014 09:25

Also, the time spent being carried upright in the sling should have similar benefits to tummy time, at least in terms of baby's muscle tone...

Szeli · 05/10/2014 11:32

all my hv's said upright holding or laying on your tummy IS 'tummy time' any time spent on their tummy is - so sling etc gives the same benefits as plonking on the floor

liquidstatehasrisenagain · 05/10/2014 11:59

Anytime not on their back is tummy time (as I was told last week). My DD (12 weeks) hates being on the floor on her tummy as she is so nosy, likes being on my lap on her tummy so she can see everyone is much better for her. Also try leaning DC over a gym ball or squishy ball. There is also a playmat where the baby is raised on a plastic thing that swivel round but DD hates that too

Lazybones80 · 05/10/2014 12:06

My DS hated tummy time until someone suggested putting him on one of those big exercise balls. He loves it and is now loving it even without the ball (he's 4 months). I got a second hand ball for about 5 quid- bargain

ElephantsNeverForgive · 05/10/2014 12:10

DD1 screamed!
Forgot to try with DD2

Honestly cannot see the point!

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 05/10/2014 12:20

I did tummy time for both of mine from day one. I put them on a play mat with different textures and mirrors built in. They seemed to love it. Both were early to have good head and neck control and both were early to roll and start making attempts to crawl.
They both walked at average ages and reached other mile stones within the normal range (though DS did walk along the furniture at a very early age he took his time to walk unaided).
I think you need to do what works for your child. Both my children loved tummy time, they thrived on it, which was great, but other things they hated. You need to do what works, and if that is just a few minutes a day then so be it. By the time they are in school it all evens out.
I would second maybe getting a playmat like the one suggested above with the support built in, it looks like a good idea.

PotatoPolly · 05/10/2014 12:23

we started with ds1 at a few weeks, but any time not flat on their back is tummy time, so being carried in a sling all counts. he started off loving it, then absolutely hated it and now at 5 months he loves it again! Don't stress

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