Anti-Tummy Time.

>> Tuesday, May 18, 2010

In the beginning I said things like, "Adelyn loves tummy time." Hilarious. Soon I realized it wasn't so much a character trait--more like she was a newborn who could fall asleep anytime, anywhere. On her tummy, on her back, on her side, on my lap, on my chest, on the floor, on a roller coaster, at a Metallica concert.

Around the one month mark tummy time became a chore around here. I knew I had to do it, to avoid the dreaded flat head and to work her arm and neck muscles. But I could only stomach it for a few minutes, until the crying started to totally unravel my nerves.

So I kind of gave up. I know, I know. I'm a terrible person. We replaced floor tummy time with sitting her up on our laps, helping her stand, letting her work out in her jumperoo. Because I do not like to listen to my baby cry, especially when I know how to make it stop. (Flip her over.)

Adelyn will be four months in a couple of days and she has yet to roll over. When I put her flat on her back, which isn't that often--I'm terrified of the possibility of that gargantuan baby helmet if her flat spot persists so I try to keep her off of it as much as possible--she has no interest in seeing what else her little body can do.

It's mostly my fault. I stopped doing tummy time as much and, therefore, she's no longer used to it. I try to do it at least once a day, and she can push herself up onto her elbows, but then the crying ensues, and I give in.

Yesterday while changing her I flipped her over on her front and--viola!--no crying. I have a new plan. Tummy time after every. single. diaper change. Except now when she decides to roll over I'm gonna have to be at the ready, because otherwise the results might be a tad bit disastrous.

5 comments:

Ashlet May 18, 2010 at 2:14 PM  

I just found out I'm pregnant and I've been following your blog for a while. I just have to say, Addy is so unbelievably gorgeous. You both make such pretty babies!!

Leslie May 18, 2010 at 6:28 PM  

She is a beautiful baby. I just wanted to say I have met other babies who abhorred tummy time. Babies who (once they learned to roll over, which SHE WILL DO.) immediately rolled onto their backs. And none of them ended up too badly. She'll roll over in her own sweet time. And then it will be crawling and walking and you'll be wishing she were still totally immobile. :P

SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

Amanda,  May 19, 2010 at 9:17 AM  

Dear Sarah, Let me talk to you for a quick sec about more babywearing. Yes, I don't know if you gave it up back at the K'tan, or if you have invested in a new one to accommodate Addy's size...or even checked out the Babywearing group on BBC, but It is awesome at giving all the benefits of tummy time, w/o baby needing to be on the floor or tummy. If you are interested more, I could help you out. take care@
Amanda

Nine Months to Life May 20, 2010 at 3:21 AM  

I love baby wearing. I love it so much, in fact, that I have a Moby wrap, a Baby K'tan and a Baby bjorn knock-off. I prefer the K'tan, but it's gotten to the point recently that I feel like Addy is constantly on the verge of sliding out (even with the support belt) and this doesn't make her fidgety self that happy. Send me an e-mail if you don't mind, Amanda. I could use some tips!

sclavery@gmail.com

Anonymous,  May 23, 2010 at 11:18 AM  

Sarah,

I feel for you with the tummy time. Hendrix likes it less and less the bigger he gets. A few things that help--we go to a class where he gets to see other babies his own age doing tummy time, and I don't know if I'm imagining it, but it seems like a competitive streak sets in. Also, we sing a tummy time song, and that makes him smile. And, if you press your hands against Addy's feet so that she has something to push against, you might find that she is more willing to take it. One morning a few days ago, I actually got Hendrix to roll from belly to back 3 times in a row. But since then, nothing. We acts like it never happened. Owen doesn't believe that Hendrix rolled at all. =( I got it on video and everything, but he insists that I must have pushed him over. Ah well! Oh, as far as that goes, if you lay Addy on top of you (facing you) and roll from side to side, it'll help her figure out the type of momentum she needs to gather for rolling. AND finally, I lay on my back and prop Hendrix (facing me) on my knees (curled toward my head). And then I bring him toward my face for kisses. Tummy time is then fun. He LOVES that. I'd keep a burp cloth on yourself for the inevitable spit up though.

Happy happy happy happy wedding and happy happy happy happy 4 month Birthday to Addy!

-Aubrey

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