8 week old baby - tummy time query

[PinkMeringues]

I have a few queries which I hope I can be advised on from those with experience (it's my first baby!)

How often should I do tummy time and how long for?

Is it best to use a rolled-up towel under head and shoulders to "prop up" slightly whilst on tummy, or is it better to have baby laid flat on front?

If he tries to lift head should I help him by supporting him? (if I don't, will he strain his neck muscles and is it bad for his back?)

TIA

Have to admit I never did tummy time as DS hated it, and with DD, I just never got round to doing it. Both of them seem to have done everything they should have done (they are 5.4 and 3.6 now).

My DS1 also hated tummy time, so did DS2 but less so and I rarely did it.

However, I wouldn't support their heads - that is what tummy time is for - so that they can strenghten their neck muscles and to begin to build up the strength to crawl. I would also be concerned about the potential for them to be smothered if they have anything under their faces.

Maximum time, if they don't scream the house down in the process, is probably about 5 minutes.

DS1 learnt to roll at 4 mths so he just rolled out of it as soon as you put him on his tummy. DS2 was sitting up at 3 mths so tummy time became a bit pointless by then for him too.

Give it a go though - your DS might enjoy it more.

Thanks CompareTheMeerkat and niecie.

I tried him for five minutes today, he didn't seem bothered either way, although he did lift his head and hold it for about 30 secs. So at least I know he can do that. Other than that the experience was somewhat underwhelming!!!

Do be aware that they can move on their tummies. I put my 5 week old on his tummy and he hotched all the way off the changing mat!

Mine both hated it and screamed as soon as I put them on their fronts. Tried rolled up towels etc but still no joy. Gave up after awhile (quickly with ds2 as tolerance for screaming drastically reduced ). Neither of them ever did much rolling to be fair but now at 4 and 18m they are both quite physical, met all the milestsones, walked fine etc so I would tend not to worry too much about it (not easy first time I know )

ds 1 loved being on his tummy. used a sheepskin with a muslin under his face to protect from the fibres (it was new) he loved it and then became a tummy sleeper. Never called it tummy time, just he stopped screaming when on his tummy

ds 2 hated it from the word go, hated it everytime we did it so we didn't do it. It obviously made him uncomfortable.

My ds hated lying on his back so was put on his front pretty much everytime I put him down (he only really wanted to be held next to my chest)

I can't say that I followed any routine as to how many times a day or how long I put him on his tummy each time,

but
very regularly
and only small amounts of time (couple of minutes) to begin with this built up over time.

he could lift his head from birth and I am sure that all 'tummy time' just strengthened these muscles.

and it really helped with his colic

not sure if there is any correlation but he turned over from front to back at 15 weeks and was crawling before 6mths, before he could sit up.

i have never done tummy time with any of mine
feels unnatural
i would not bother

I have sometimes used a rolled-up towel with DD (13 weeks) but I put in sort of under her armpits so she is supported under her chest. She finds this much more comfortable, it helps her keep her arms forward and she still gets to use her neck muscles and move her little head around. What I generally do now is use the towel to start with and then take it away - it seems to help her enjoy the whole thing more, or at least hate it a little less!

I did both with DS but at different points

When he was little I just put him on his front. When he was older and could hold his head I did the towel under the armpits thing and put toys in front of him so he had something to play with.