Tummy Time

 

If you pay attention to what you read on the internet or to the marketing geniuses, I am sure you think tummy time is the end all be all of good newborn parenting. Let me tell you a secret, I didn’t do it and my kids are just fine. No floppy necks, not late bloomers, they’re perfectly normal (physically lol) children. Tummy time was never easy for us. My first would just fall asleep if we tried tummy time and my second would scream. So I just didn’t do it. 

Now obviously don’t take my advice over your pediatricians advice please, I am not a doctor. I’m just telling you that there are other ways of strengthening your babies neck and a lot of it I think they do on their own. Tummy time is a pretty recent thing parents have been told to do but you don’t see a whole lot of old people out their struggling to hold their heads up. 

Let's talk ways to avoid tummy time but still ensure your baby is building those muscles. My personal favorite is sitting them on my lap facing me. I put them back towards my knees and we sing songs and talk. I support their head less and less as they get older and eventually, I don't need to support it at all. 

Example:

My second favorite is the reclined position. I often would recline and then lay my baby on my belly facing me. They would lift their heads to try and see me and look around the room. This seemed to keep them much happier than doing tummy time on the floor and was just as beneficial. I have also breastfed in this position and as you breastfeeding moms know, there is lots of head banging and pulling away as they get older (thank you skin elasticity). 

Example:

Basically, do what works for you but don't feel like you have to be stuck in the box of doing "perfect" tummy time. I don't think it's worth the stress it gives moms because babies hate it. Adapt it to what works for you and your baby and I guarantee they will hold their heads up just fine.