tummy time

[star child]

when did you introduce this to your baby?
How long did you leave them on thir tummy at each time?

[Nai]

I started at 2 weeks once the umbilical stump had dropped off. I combine tummy time with nappy free time and do it for as long as DD is happy. She will now go for about 10 minutes before she gets annoyed or rolls herself over.

[Visitor8]

I started from day one. I would lay Ash on my tummy when we were in the recliner or laying in bed. He also slept on his tummy which helped with the head control. From about a month old he could lift it quite well

[Arcadia]

I was slack with the old tummy time. Some days I would do 3 or 4 lots of 5 mins, and then nothing for days.

I used a sling a lot (holding her upright) and I think that really helped DD's head control because she has always been strong in the neck.

Only now she can roll over does she actually enjoy tummy time. Before then she would cry on her tummy until I rolled her over.

Seriously don't stress too much. Some babies like it more than others, but as long as they have some time on their tummy every couple of days or you hold them upright a fair bit, I think their necks develop just fine.

[babywannabe]

I allowed both my kids onto their tummies when ever I rembered from day 1. My DS hated it so never lasted very long. We held him over the shoulder alot so he had good head/neck support early on. With DD, she didn't mind as much so I'd leave her as long as she was happy.
What I have noticed between the two is that it took my DS longer b4 he was mobile. He sat for 4 months b4 he finally took the plunge to "crawl" from his sitting position at 8 months. On the other hand, my DD has been mobile after 1 month after sitting bc she is comfortable on her tummy and drags herself where she wants with her hands.
I used to stress over it with my DS as he was my first but when I think back there was no need cos we got him to exercise his muscles in other ways.

[tenar]

Our MCHN said that they need at least 10 lots of tummy time, for 30 seconds to a minute each, every day. She said that it's better to do it more often for shorter times than to do it less often for longer times. She said that physios actually recommend 20 lots, but most people don't manage that.

The more we do tummy time, the better DD gets, gradually, at holding her head up to look forward when on her tummy.

One good habit is to turn them over for a bit of tummy time after every nappy change, preferably before the nappy goes back on, as it's easier for them to lift their head up without a bulky nappy getting in the way.