Babies and Tummy Time

My daughter hated tummy time so I would lay her across my leg at first or I would lay down with her so she'd see ME on my stomach. That said, she's been slower (but not delayed) physically. Still doesn't jump. Took a while to walk or crawl or roll over. Did the commando crawl first. But talks up a storm.

Talk to the pediatrician if you have specific concerns. If you think she's having problems holding objects, for example, ask the doctor if you need to do more or if she needs therapy or whatever.

My 8yo DESPISED tummy time. NEVER did it (beyond a few goes) until age SEVEN. <laughing> Seriously. He would hold himself completely up off the ground on arms and legs rather than let his stomach touch the ground.

He was a late(ish) crawler and a late(ish) walker, and a late(ish) talker... and *extremely* early with head holding (day he was born he had total control over holding his head up and looking around, fine motor (fingers, tongue, facial expression), understanding (he didn't talk a lot but he communicated just fine), reading (3rd grade level before age 4).

Now... my family is crawling with healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, a speech pathologist, etc.)... so we were totally unconcerned with his development. It was very obvious that he was working on x instead of y, or y instead of z. He hit milestones all over the place (like most babies do, it's part of why there's such a large range)... and has turned into an extremely physical very smart little guy. Who just never spent any time on his stomach.

If your family ISN'T crawling with experts... head on over, and let them see if he's just working on x instead of y... or if there's reason to be concerned.

One of the SEVERAL things that bothers me with this article is the "THAT'S THE CAUSE!!!!" aspect of it (there's never just ONE cause to any complex system), the generalizations it makes as if fact, and the total lack of historical knowledge, ((100+ years ago people kept their babies confined on PURPOSE to slow down physical development. Think papooses. Ideally babies didn't crawl until over 1 year old... and they were kept in nursing gowns until apx age 2 -which was the normal age for starting walking. BUT cognitive and emotional development as well as speech and language development was MUCH earlier... most children were reading fluently by age 3 in educated homes, for example, and we're talking language of the constitution level of reading, not Dick & Jane... and some of our greatest thinkers and athletes came out of such a childhood.)). It's a sensationalistic article with very little basis for it's claims, depth of subject, blah blah blah. It's a "get parents riled up"/ fear mongering kind of piece I find particularly nauseating.

I can think of at least 5 common contributors WITHOUT EVEN DOING ANY RESEARCH, and can counter each of it's points with at least 3 arguments and that's, again, without spending any real time at it much LESS digging out physiological, anthropolicial, or sociological studies.

Pfui.

It's pulp.

((excuse my snarkiness, that kind of bad writing/bad science just makes my teeth itch))

Hi, I'm a pediatric Physical Therapist (and I used to live in WI). I haven't read the article you posted, but if your baby is not at least crawling or pulling up by 1, I would recommend you talk to your Dr. about a pediatric PT referral. Try to find a PT who is specific to kids, though, and not just any PT office. It often makes a difference. I don't mean to imply that anything is WRONG with your child, but often I see kids for a few visits if they hated tummy time and were a bit delayed in their skills. If there is anything causing a delay, the PT should be able to help pinpoint that and help change it. Most likely, the PT would mainly give you some home activities to help strengthen the particular weak muscles that she hasn't strengthened on her own through play. Some babies do skip crawling, but it really is better if they do crawl a little to help develop their abdominal strength and upper body strength. It's better to spend a few visits now strengthening those muscles than to spend months later with an 8 year-old who has back pain because her abdominal muscles have always been weak.

Rolling is one activity that you can do to help her strengthen her muscles in the meantime. I'm guessing she probably rolls to get where she wants since she's not crawling yet. Play with her so that she has to roll lots and lots and to each side to get something. The slower she rolls, the harder her muscles will have to work. Hope this helps!

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Interesting. It does makes sense. When I started in the NICU in the early 1980's the babies would always be on their backs. We found they had many of the problems described in the article years later. Now we vary their position. Many cultures have put their babies back to sleep. I think the difference is all the other things the babies are put in now - the car seat (that now attaches to the stroller, increases the amount of time in it), the swings, infuse seats, etc. None of these promote upper body or arm strength. I am not saying these things are bad, but it you think about the amount of time they spend in them compared to being on their tummys. It may very well have an effect. If you are concerned about your daughter have her evaluated. If there are issues, it's best to intervene early. Either way I would have her spend more time on her tummy. She is past the peak danger of SIDS.

We used a devise that looked like a ladybug and it allowed the child to turn itself around and look at a colorful mat - maybe that will distract her enough to get some tummy time in. also - try a Bumbo... that helps build core muscles... just don't leave her unattended in it.

My son is delayed in gross motor & speech. He is 13 mos old & just now able to get into a sitting position on his own. He is just starting to get on hands & knees & make a few crawling strides. His PT blames the "back to sleep" program on his & other children that she see' delays. Even though I believe I was very good about setting aside tummy time. I feel his experience wasn't any different than our previous son who was running @ 9 mos.
I think the article brings up some good points & as much as I would like to have something to blame on my childs delay, I'm not convinced.

I am a pediatric physical therapist. Babies should NOT skip crawling (although many do and turn out "just fine"). I did not read the article on your link, but will do so later. Make a game of it, read books with you and baby on your tummies, whatever it takes. Some times you have to gently "force" the issue. There are SOOOO many things that tummy time promotes--hand eye coordination, upper body strength, hand strength, affects hand writing in later years, to name a few. I'm sure you will get the "don't worry about it" posts, and it's not a "life or death" issue, but I would try to encourage the tummy time in creative ways. Send me a personal message if you want more info.

Tara is exactly right! It seems like crawling isn't important, especially if your child walks on time, but in fact it is! I worked with an Occupational Therapist who explained to me that crawling isn't as much about mobility as it about gaining control over your trunk, which is necessary for developing and maintaining good posture. It may sound strange but children who didn't crawl often have a very difficult time learning the physical mechanics of writing b/c they cannot sit-up unsupported and fatigue quickly.

Contact your local Early Intervention office and request an evaluation. As Tara mentioned, the PT will likely see you together several times to show you the different exercises and activities and get you going.

Good luck and for all of those mamas reading... if your child misses a milestone please bring it up to the pediatrician. They are important for a reason and those skills are building-blocks for later skills!

Don't freak out. I agree w/Riley J that the "NO TUMMY TIME IS THE CAUSE" is terrible science and sensationalistic and irresponsible journalism. Yes, tummy time is important. Yes, crawling is important. But kids develop at all different rates, and hit milestones in different ways and different orders. My son is in OT right now to help with ADHD issues, and went through an extensive and thorough diagnostic process (like, a year long) with respected physicians and therapists at Gillette Childrens and at no time did anyone ever tell me that the reason for his issues was that he skipped crawling and went straight to scooting and walking. Is there a correlation? Sure. Some kids who skip crawling have some sensory issues later. Did the not-crawling cause that? Highly unlikely.

I am also highly skeptical of the proliferation of articles in the past few years about ADHD and sensory processing and autism "epidemics" - "there are so many more kids being diagnosed that ever before!!!! It's an emergency!!!!" OR - our diagnostic skills and understanding of these conditions has improved so vastly that we a) can diagnose more effectively and quickly and b) we finally have effective therapies to truly make improving progress in these conditions. When we were growing up, unless a condition was grossly impairing and the kid couldn't be mainstreamed, some kids were just "a little weird." Now those kids have ADHD, or a sensory processing disorder, or Asperger's syndrome. Which is, frankly, a wonderful thing, as these kids are getting what they need to be successful in a world in which they would otherwise be considered "weird."

That said, if you are concerned, talk to your pediatrician. You say he is newly one - have you had your one-year checkup yet? If you have, I'm sure your pediatrician asked if she is crawling, standing, or walking yet. It's likely something to keep an eye on, and certainly something you can actively provide your daughter with opportunities to practice - even if she gets frustrated or cranky. (Also, you mention c-section, as though you are worried that might have something to do with potential delays - there is absolutely no evidence - absent of specific birth trauma - that this would be the case.) Talk to your own doctor - that person is your best resource here.

I didn't read the other posts - but if no one has suggested it If you are concerned you could probably have your local public school assess her. I did this when my oldest was about 8 1/2 months (6 months corrected) because she was not rolling over yet. Most schools do this for free. It will either ease your mind or will get her started on services she may qualify for.