*stupid question alert* - tummy time

[IBlameThePenguins]

hi all,

This is probably a ridiculous question...I'm a bit of a lurker on here, but very rarely post.

I'm a first time mum to my beautiful 9 week old DD...I read somewhere that babies should have plenty of tummy time...At what age shiuld i start putting her down to play on her tummy? I don't want to do it too soon & upset her...but at the same time i'd hate to think she was missing up on some vital developmental stage because I haven't put her down soon enough... eek!

Would welcome your responses, and my apologies for; a) waffling and b)asking a stooopid question!!

She won't necessarily 'like' tummy time anyway! My DS is 11 weeks and he hates it, but he's been doing it for about the last 3-4 weeks. I try to put him on his tummy for about 5-15 minutes a day, which I'm not sure is enough, but he has strengthened up enough to do a little push-up several times and holds his head up at a 90 degree angle.

Unfortunately now he's learned to roll from front to back, so lately when I put him down he just pushes himself over. He always goes to the right, so I tried putting something to that side so he couldn't roll, and he just screamed at me.

Just make sure not to put her down right after eating, and do it when she's in a decent mood. I'd think you would want to start doing it now.

okiedoke..thanks for that!!I am un rolling the playmat as i type!!

To be honest I wouldn't worry about it too much - give it a go, just for a couple of minutes to start with and see how your DD likes it. My DD1 always used to scream, so we never really did it, but she was still walking by 1 year (and then learnt crawling after she learnt to walk ). DD2 isn't that keen either; its not worth pushing it if they don't want to do it I think, just cuddle them in different positions, use a bouncer etc, so they get to experience lots of different positions and develop their muscles.

DD is nearly 8 months old and hates being on her tummy; she doesn't roll either but given how much she likes standing up I think she may just skip all that rolling/crawling business and just go straight to walking...

Babies have developed normally for years nad years and years without special tummy time or any other sort of time - it's just a new stick to beat parents - specifically mums with.

The reasoning I think is that now babies sleep on theri backs they don't get the opportunity to exercise the muscles they will need to rool and crawl. Also, some people think that babies head shape can be affected by spending all their time on their backs. You can avert this by carrying them in a sling for a while every day. And as my mother says - all babies should come with "this grows up automatically' tattooed on their foreheads. They'll roll and crawl when they are ready - tummy time or no tummy time (ghastly expression!)

Not a stupid question...my little girl didn't like being on her tummy so usually grumbled and complained, but I guess the best thing to do is try it and watch for your babys reaction - keep the time short and as she gets a bit bigger using a wedge or cushion might make it a bit more comfortable. Some babies really like it as they get to see a different perspective of things.

I really don't think there's any need for tummy time. I have three children and they only had tummy time when they learn to roll back to front themselves. Two walked by themselves at 9 months and my son at 10 months.

Ok, thank you...I was beginning to feel very guilty that I hadn't done this yet, but reel slightly more rational now...thanks all!