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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to not have time for "tummy time"?

97 replies

andiflondonburns · 26/03/2016 12:31

my daughter is 3.5 months

i don't have time to do tummy time (single parent + other things) and the times i've done it the past i don't feel comfortable when i've done it, i know you pick them up when they start to show signs that they're not happy and sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind and all that but there's nothing else developmentally where i have to watch her struggle

is it really necessary? I'm quite happy for her to crawl later than she would have done with tummy time.....will she miss out with brain development?

surely she will do it herself when she's ready, once she's worked out how to get on her front? She can almost get herself on her side already.
thanks for any constructive advice/support!

OP posts:

LIZS · 26/03/2016 12:33

It probably won't make much difference longer term, can she roll yet? However if you have time to lie her on a mat rather than in a pushchair or bouncy chair it could be either on back or tummy.

dementedma · 26/03/2016 12:34

What the hell is tummy time? I'm old and have raised three dcs without knowing about this? Are they deprived?

meditrina · 26/03/2016 12:36

All it means is that you sometimes put your baby down on their front (when they are wide awake and someone is nearby) so they see the world from a different angle and have a go at moving themselves from that start point.

scarednoob · 26/03/2016 12:38

I didn't really bother, I must admit. She hated it and I found it stressful. DD is 6 months now and can roll onto her front and hold herself up doing mini press-ups for ages with v little help from me!

Allnamesaretakenffs · 26/03/2016 12:39

Tummy time can also be time spent on your chest (in a sling, to leave hands free to do housework etc), maybe that would work?

Pufflehuff · 26/03/2016 12:40

Tummy time is letting babies have some time lying on their front so they lift their heads a bit and strengthen their neck muscles.

Um, so 1) How do you 'not have time' to put the baby on the floor for a whole minute, maybe with a toy or two to look at? Isn't this kind of... what you do with babies? Yes, we're all busy but what on earth do your days look like that you don't have a single minute to play with the baby? Unless you're working in a rice field with her strapped to your back for 14 hours... you have time.

It's not supposed to be uncomfortable. Sure, if the baby doesn't like it, stop. Mine enjoyed it. They looked at stuff and gurgled and kicked in a sort of attempt at crawling. So I guess I never gave much thought as to whether I'd do it or not. Besides, it's not good for their skulls to be permanently lying on their backs, pushchairs or seats. Tummy time, and being held, gives the skull a rest and the neck a workout.

It's not supposed to be a big deal. Just one of those things to incorporate into general baby stuff. If she's rolling and 'almost' on her side, then she's doing fine, and you clearly do sit down with her and do some playing.

crispiecrunchie · 26/03/2016 12:40

So long as baby isn't flat on it's back all the time I'm sure its fine. YABU unreasonable to say you have time to put put baby on its tummy for five minutes 3/4 times day though.

dementedma · 26/03/2016 12:41

OK. I'll file it with baby wearing, co-sleeping and baby led weaning as a stupid name for normal rasing your baby stuff.

crispiecrunchie · 26/03/2016 12:42

Sorry to say you don't have time. Agree with puffle

seasideview · 26/03/2016 12:43

Eh?

I have 2 kids and I've never hear of tummy time??!!

They both turned out just fine. Both highly academic, well rounded individuals and studying at Uni.

LaurieLemons · 26/03/2016 12:44

How do you not have time, just put her down? Or am I missing something? My DS HATED and I mean hated tummy time now he is 9 months and crawling around just fine so don't worry she's not missing much.

OwlinaTree · 26/03/2016 12:45

I used to put him on his tummy after I changed his nappy. He didn't really like it so only lasted a couple of minutes. Doing it after the nappy meant I remembered to do it!

DaphneWhitethigh · 26/03/2016 12:49

It's only been a thing since Back To Sleep took over. Obviously that reduced SIDS and was totally worthwhilebut it did result in some flat heads and slightly delayed physical development - "tummy time" is meant to counteract that but it's hardly life or death either way.

outputgap · 26/03/2016 12:52

I couldn't do it much with one of mine as his terrible eczema meant he scratched himself insane when on his front. I read advice saying 'have you ever seen an adult who can't hold their head on their neck due to insufficient tummy time?'. I found it very consoling.

nocoffeenouppee · 26/03/2016 12:53

My ds hated tummy time (immediate screaming) so I stopped doing it. He commando crawled at 6 months, crawled at 8 months and walked at 10 months. He doesn't have a developmental delay. Nor was his head misshapen. I think it's the health visitor equivalent of occupying children with paint on rainy days. If they have a series of boxes to tick they're less likely to have time to give 'advice'

starry0ne · 26/03/2016 12:54

Your baby will develop fine without it..Although my I don't have time I have to really question...What are you going to do when she is rolling , crawling, toddling...At the minute she isn't moving much but soon you will need to watch her like a hawk.

Plateofcrumbs · 26/03/2016 12:55

Yes it is only a recent invention, older children who would likely have slept on tummies at an earlier age never needed tummy time.

Mine hated tummy time too, so only ever did short stints. He was quite a late roller/crawler, who can say if that is related. Although since he could roll he hates lying on his back for any reason, and only sleeps on his front.

Strokethefurrywall · 26/03/2016 13:10

Nope didn't do it with either of mine. They're now 4 and 2 and can both hold their heads up perfectly!

But then I put DS2 to sleep on his front too so that did the same thing.

AugustaFinkNottle · 26/03/2016 13:17

I never did it with any of mine (three children). They all learnt to crawl and walk just fine.

RudeElf · 26/03/2016 13:17

How can you not have time? a minute here and there. It takes the same time as if she were lying on her back.

QueenOfToast · 26/03/2016 13:19

Definitely don't worry about this. The fact that you're even thinking about it shows that you're doing a brilliant job of considering your DD's needs and development.

FWIW DS1 is now 14 and I remember being fairly smug with him as a baby because he was so "good" at being on his tummy and pushing himself up. Despite these early signs of skill and strength, he does not play in any A team sports and cannot touch his toes . In fact he generally moans about doing anything that involves putting his iPad down .

Have a lovely Easter and enjoy the early days with your DD.

sr123 · 26/03/2016 13:25

Tummy time develops core strength and ds who has poor core strength does tummy time as part of his ot programme to develop it. Average children who don't spend time on their tummies are just more likely to develop some motor skills slightly later.

AntiHop · 26/03/2016 13:26

Tummy time reduces the risk of flat head syndrome. In my opinion that's the biggest problem with not doing tummy time. Carrying a baby in a sling or baby carrier also reduces the risk of flat head syndrome.

educatingarti · 26/03/2016 13:32

It isn't just about strengthening neck muscles though. Pushing up on arms develops core and shoulder strength, which is required for many things later on, including handwriting. If the child crawls for a reasonable amount of time then it isn't so bad but for those who only crawl briefly or who bottom shuffle before walking, it could caused problems later. Tummy time is recommended for a reason, not just to make life more difficult for parents.

MinecraftyMum · 26/03/2016 13:34

YABVU.

Don't have time? That's nonsense. If you don't have time to plonk your baby on a mat for 2 minutes you're going to be buggered when your dd starts weaning and you need to spend an hour feeding her three times a day.

Make time.

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