DownSyn Forum

Momof6 · Posted: December 01 2008, 2:18 PM Post subject: Need help with tummy time....

Afternoon all. Austin and I need some help/advice.

He hates tummy time. I mean really hates it. His PT person says we really need to force him on his belly for about 15 minutes 3 times a day. One main reason is because his head is getting flat on his right side along with his neck needs to get much stronger. Could you help me on some way I can make it easier for him, or do you know any other ways we can help him with his neck strength.

I know he needs the belly time, but I also can't stand to hear him scream the way he does. It just brakes my heart.

Thanks.

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~Christine~
Mom of 6
Brandon ADD/ADHD 19, Chelsea 16, Connor 14, Logan 9, Cody 6 & Austin 4 ( DS & Hirschsprungs pull through 12/8/08 ) diagnosis 10/28/10 Colonic Neuropathy, 12/16/11 dx with seizure disorder, neurogentic bladder...Monti Cath 11/9/12
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/austinpaquin

I think I can, I think I can.
Climb the highest hills in all the land.
(If you think you can, you can.)
He could and he did !

I say CHEESE !

Vanessa · Posted: December 01 2008, 7:31 PM Post subject:

Hi there,

I understand what you are going through completely. My Ava HATED tummy time for the longest time. She's approximatately 9 months old (7 1/2 months corrected age) and she's just starting to tollerate tummy time. She had an AVSD repair in August and that helped alot. I guess I don't really have any answers for you on how to help him enjoy it more other than ease him into it. I know the only way Ava really tollerates it is if I get right down with her and I act like it's the most exciting thing in the world to be on her tummy. When she was too weak to lift her head I think she was bored or afraid she was alone. She's actually the same with trying to get her to put weight on her legs...it has to be the most exciting thing in the world for her to want to do it. I have to chear and smile and laugh with her. Maybe you've tried that already or maybe it won't help at all...but it's worth a try!

_________________

Ava's Mommy - 02.26.08 - My Living Angel

ElisMom · Posted: December 01 2008, 9:03 PM Post subject:

You've probably already tried this but you could lay him on your tummy/chest while you're laying on your back so that when he does look up he is seeing mommies face. Maybe the comfort of being on you would help.

_________________

Karen
Mom to Wyatt 5, Eli 3(DS), Abel 2, Weston 2 mo.

violettesmom · Posted: December 01 2008, 10:04 PM Post subject:

I'd suggest getting one of these toys...

http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Spin-Sing-Alphabet-Zoo/dp/B000NRX5XE

It is very easy to spin, and very interesting to look at if you are a baby.

As your baby gets bigger tummy time will get better. but for now you just have to do it.

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ElisMom · Posted: December 02 2008, 9:09 AM Post subject:

Eli had this toy when he was a baby as part of a study he was in. He loved it. It's nice because you can use it with the on their backs or tummies.

http://www.amazon.com/Playskool-Lets-Play-Together-Tummy/dp/B000FEBQY0/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1228226741&sr=1-10

_________________

Karen
Mom to Wyatt 5, Eli 3(DS), Abel 2, Weston 2 mo.

babyd2005 · Posted: December 02 2008, 9:15 AM Post subject:

Derrin and Austin are around the same age Wink

, and now I'm beginning to have that problem as well. Before he would do his tummy time and even roll over but now he just lies there grunting and whining that he wants to be held.

What I do now that someone mentioned already, is I lay on the floor and put him on my chest and he does his little neck raises and all....then I ease him on the floor and keep my face right there on his. Toys help some too, I bought him this motion sensor ball that lights up and makes a lot of noise and he focuses on it. Also you can give him a lot of breaks during tummy time, we do tummy time for 15-20 mins twice in the afternoon when I get home, and we do 5-7 mins at a time then a break and then tummy time then another break; that's the only way he tolerates it now.

_________________
Mia Alexis--12/4/05

Derrin Izaiah--9/1/08 (DS)

My Loves

MommyAngela · Posted: December 02 2008, 4:29 PM Post subject:

Oh, Christine, he's so cute!!
I'm sorry he hates tummy time so much. Benjamin didn't like it too much at first either. It took him months (plus recovery from heart surgery) to get to where he would do well with it. He's now seven months old and likes to hang out on his tummy. What he hates now is sitting. He needs lots of help with it but even then, he hates it. He spits up and straightens up. Ugh. I guess each step is a hurdle to get over.

_________________

Angela
Wife to Matthew
Mom to three wonderful sons:
Andrew James--3/24/06
Benjamin Matthew--4/24/08 DS--VSD & ASD repaired 10/3/08, intestinal obstruction repaired 1/13/09, hypospadias & ventral hernia repaired 8/21/09
Thomas Alexander--3/25/10

www.theamicks-angela.blogspot.com

rachelann888 · Posted: December 05 2008, 4:02 PM Post subject:

I have never heard of a baby that did like tummy time right off the bat. My kids never did, Hayden was no exception. 1 minute of tummy time is better than none, so praise yourself for the little things. Eventually he will build endurance and get stronger. Hang in there!
Your little boy is SO SO SO cute!
Rachel

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earlyam · Posted: December 05 2008, 4:24 PM Post subject:

Ethan often hates tummy time with a passion Confused

When he roles onto his tummy he gets real fustrated, especially when his arm gets stuck!!!!! The only way I've found that he'll tolerate being on his tummy is when I do baby yoga with him (lots of positions with Ethan lying on my tummy, legs etc!) Ethan's a lot happier now he can sit up, occassionally when he leans over really far to reach for a toy he'll end on his tummy, poor little guy gets so upset!!!

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Jo, Mum to Georgia 11/11/03 ( BIG High School Musical fan) and Ethan 16/12/07 (DS)

lcboomboom · Posted: December 27 2008, 7:32 PM Post subject:

We're not big tummy time fans, either. LC's occupation therapist suggested putting LC on top of my exercise ball. this way I could be at eye level without needing to lay down on my belly on carpet. I can also tip the ball back to get eye contact with her if she starts to lose motivation.

She also suggested doing tummy time for a few minutes at every diaper change. It means shorter increments of time and also reminds me to do tummytime pretty regularly.

You could experiment with what you rest Austin's chest on during tummy time as well. Foam swimming noodles, rolled bath towels and various stuffed animals could be more comfortable for him. We have the most success with LC if we place her on her tummy and push her elbows together for her, right under her chin, and overlap her wrists (does that make any sense?)

Good luck...if you find a magic potion or trick LET US KNOW...we're a bunch of floppy noodle necks, too, and need to improve our head lag QUITE a bit...

_________________

Wife to Justin and
Mom to...
LC Grace (Pudge) 10/10/08
AVSD repair 2/16/09
Gtube 4/1/09

Jace Cortin (Biggie) 9/30/09
AVSD repair 2/3/10

http://pudgeandzippy.blogspot.com

kittycat3376 · Posted: December 27 2008, 9:41 PM Post subject:

David hated tummy time at that age too. Until he could get on and off his tummy by himself. Then he would play on his tummy all the time. He is a very stubborn little boy who doesn't like to do anything until he can do it all by himself.

The only way David did tolerate tummy time at that age was if I were to lay on my back with him laying on his tummy on top of me. Have you tried that?

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http://www.carepages.com/carepages/DavidLucas

dharmatia · Posted: December 29 2008, 12:01 PM Post subject:

Yup, same boat here. Callie just hated tummy time. It's still not her favorite, but she'll tolerate it for a while now. We proped her up on her Boppy so it raised her torso up some, then she would look around because she could see more a little higher up. Also, I'd put a small mirror in front of her. She'd look up to see her reflection. Then she'd coo at herself.

We also use the excercise ball. Lay her flat on her tummy on the ball and then roll it forward and backward a bit. It will encourage her to lift her head up as she rolls forward then lets her relax a bit as she rolls back. That helps her not get so tired so fast.

Good luck!

_________________
Tia
Wife to my AMAZING husband, Clint (10-22-05)
Mom to Dharma (7-26-05) and Callie (7-11-08 DS)

Haybale · Posted: January 10 2009, 7:58 PM Post subject:

Patrick wasn't to keen for tummy time either, we rolled up a small blanket and placed it under his chest to engourage him to hold his head up. He'd rather be on his tummy than his back now.

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Ryan, 28, single

Patrick, July 3, 2008, DS