"But my baby haaaaaaaaaaates tummy time. I can't just make him do it."
"Yeah, we do tummy time sometimes."
"We don't ever do tummy time bc she just screams the whole time."
We literally have heard it all. I don't want to be a jerk (this is Dr. Michaela, I don’t want to implicate Dr. Zoe), but your baby spending time on the floor, on their belly and on their back is as imperative as them spending time snuggled with you. In the same way they develop emotionally and socially by being physically close to you, they start to develop neurologically and physically when they are on the floor.
When they have time to explore their own space, they get to learn how to move their own limbs and see new things, and learn to breathe with their movement, and if we never help them to be comfortable doing that, we are taking that away from them.
Buuuut, you are right. Not all babies are comfortable on the solid surfaces--either on their backs or on their tummies, so we have to do something about that.
First-do you like to exercise when your body hurts? Probably not. Neither do they. If they seem uncomfortable or in pain is is worth the investment to come and see us to feel more comfortable in their bodies. We are a relatively cheap investment in your baby's development process. I wouldn't say it like that if I didn't believe in what we do.
Second--there are ways to make them more comfortable in the meantime.
-many times I notice that babies just like to be able to see someone's face--lay down next to them so they can see your face in front of them. Have them be on a raised surface (this cutie is up on a kitchen table)--but supervised on a changing table, or on the couch when you're sitting next to them on the ground, or in the middle of your crazy family on the dinner table while you eat. Sound crazy, but they love it and are more comfortable and get to spend more time.
-start with smaller chunks of time, more often. Even if its 30 seconds, do 30 seconds 10 times.
-it is our goal to have them completely flat on the floor, but if you need to, you can have them propped on a boppy or on your chest in the meantime. Slowly lower their angle until they can lay flat.
-for older kids, you can give them something to look at, but until they are on their tummies with their heads lifted all the way, just let them do their thing, and feel your presence. That is enough. They dont need to be entertained. .
Why does it matter?
Because how they move affects how their brain grows. I know that may sound big or dramatic, but that's neurology. .
If with some of these ideas they aren’t able to get comfortable, please come see us. Often times we can get them much more comfortable in only a handful of visits. .
We would love to meet them.
