Tummy time: Is it that important?

[MultipleMama]

I have done tummy time with my previous DC just because they had no problems with it and was told to encourage it.

But is it really that important as they make it out to be?

Reason I ask is my 8mo (6mo adj & high needs) hates being on his stomach. He screams and screams and can take upto an hour to calm him down. We've left him a few times to see if he settles but he just continues to scream. He's rolled over front to back about 4 times while crying yet doesn't settle and he's rolled back to front and start crying as soon as he's on his belly. He has great head control but due illness has a limp left side, he's like this at PT/OT sessions. He's been looked at by his pead and he's healthy nothing that would suggest stomach pain or reluctance to stay on his stomach. He has no interest in toys and doesn't attempt to reach for them just lies there and cries. He's always done this since we introduced tummy time when he came home from NICU.

His Ped, OT and PT have said to keep at it and try and encourage him more but it's no use. Shall I just give up? Is there anything else I can do besides tummy time? Or should I stick with it. I just don't want to keep on stressing him and causing him to cry and scream. I feel awful like I'm forcing him and causing him harm :(

DH just tried again while I nurse and write this and he's starting to get worked up again :(

I think if you asked the professional children's physio's they would tell you that tummy time is important.

He's very demanding and miserable but I just want the best for him so if that means figuring out this tummy time thing then so be it! :) He has appts galore unlike his twin who's already cruising the furniture and a master crawler!

Mentioned it to his OT today suggested trying during his sensory bath time when's at his calmest and build it up. His PT agreed to let us try that and drop the other tummy session for now.

Hope something works!

DS has two PT's one says to encourage tummy time, the other says there are other ways to help his muscle development but tummy time is the easiest route for parents.

DS' current PT wants to encourage it as often as possible (she's very proffesional/medical - less personal) but ds has other ideas!

Here pt and OT do joint visits for this type of difficulty. They put a plan together that works on the physical side but doesn't overload the sensory issues.
The bath time activity sounds really good. And yes there are other ways to strengthen muscles.
I since you feel under pressure to make him do tummy time. Don't be. You know your child.
It's so hard when you have different goals and opinions.
You could ask for a multi disciplinary meeting. This is when you and all professionals get together to discuss how the child has developed and what everyone's goals are. It gives a chance to really work together.
Just an idea but not a necessary thing to do.

When DC4 was born, a HV stressed the importance of tummy time and said that lying on your chest counted as others have mentioned. Also face down across your knees... Might be worth a go, probably easier when they are smaller though.

We have a private OT and are waiting for a private referral for a PT as the one he see's now is the one he saw at the hospital as is the one he now sees in out-patients.

I have no idea how a joint visit will work or who to bring it up with (his OT is 30-40mins away!)

Tried the sensory tummy time bath thing and he did have a little screaming fit which admittly didn't last long and he did whimper every now and then but he seemed to... tolerate it. We used a BabySwimmer that goes around his neck (had to improvise a little so it wouldn't irritate his skin) so he was floating and had no weight on his stomach, and I noticed he seemed to be using his limp arm and leg more. Can this be classed as tummy time?

We've tried having him on our chests but he only tolerates it when being carried or in wrap/carrier, so I do have a niggling feeling it may have to do with being lying flat and pressure on his front - though he can lie on his back when in the sensory room and cot...

My son had silent reflux for a year, so could never be on his tummy. He didn't crawl, but did a lopsided bum shuffle. He is almost three, and has been in occupational therapy for four months, due to a weak core and upper body, which all harkens back to his digestive problems and never wanting to be on the ground. He also has sensory issues. Luckily he has no speech or eating issues. In our case, the lack of tummy time did play a role in my son's slightly delayed physical development.

In the NHS the therapies work holistically and OT and Physio would automatically work together when both are involved.
You can not tackle tummy time and positioning without dealing with the sensory issues first or it's not going to work.
The Physio cannot deal with the sensory issues.
Even though you are doing this privately they should still be working together. You shouldn't suggest they work jointly they should. It's a little concerning that they haven't.
It's also no good having conflicting advice.
To organise a multi agency meeting you can just ask your paediatrician for one. Or any of the professionals to organise one.
Have you thought of going through the NHS. The children's services are very good. The different therapies work very closely as they are based together in children centres in or outside of hospitals. This means it's easier for you to have appts in one place, meetings and appt are easier to organise and they can work together more easily.
Private is very good but you could ask for an NHS referral as well and see what suits better.

The reason we're private is because DH's medical insurance covers it. DS is finally settled with his OT, he knows them and allows them to handle him, and he's made good progress so I don't want to distrupt that or halt his progress and I'm perfectly happy with his OT as she knows all about SPD (which isn't widely known here) and it was his public OT who suggested we be referred as she didn't think the health service offered the specific care he needed or have have the info/experience which would benefit DS more.

I'd be happy to stick with the public health service here for his PT but she's the one who recommended the private referal.

But if we're being honest private has more benefits here.

I have no idea why the haven't already discussed it unless things are run different here. I do know when we first referred to this OT, ds' ped & OT had exchanged notes. It's all stressful stuff this appointment thing! However I think I will ask the OT about it then I can why she hasn't but I'll also mention it to his ped.

Thanks for the advice! It has brought up a few concerns I was slightly oblivious to but at least now I have starting point :)