Everest has been doing pretty well since coming home. I have been worrying about every little thing but I am sure that is a "normal" thing for preemie moms! He works with an OT every other week and she is fantastic. She said he is doing very well and helping ease my fears with him. The only thing is we are having such a hard time with tummy time! He doesnt push up while on his belly he keeps his arms down by his side and trys to keep his head up w/o using them. He gets frustrated and tired quick. We try to help put his arms under him but he just doesnt get it! Is there anything we can do to try to help get his arms "working" with tummy time?
we were using the arm of the couch (suggestion from OT) but he just doesnt use his arms. we sit in front of him while on the floor and put his musical toy in front of him. We are just lost for what else to do!
oh he is 5 months actual and just shy of 3 months corrected age.
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tummy time troubles!
- By meggs2003
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 11:02 am · 7 replies
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- Edited November 3, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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- By mygirlsmom
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 11:11 am
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There are many different ways to get tummy time in, and I think many kids respond to different "styles". My girls loved their chest up on a boppy, so they could look around.
This is Grace at about 5 months actual, 2.5 adjusted. We also just put them on their tummies in the their gymboree play mat, and would put something in front of them to entice - like a mirror, a brush, a water bottle, a cell phone. Something they wanted to grab. They did scream a lot, but I would rub their backs and get down there with them. Some moms swear by using the yoga balls - hopefully you can do a search for that info., or someone can post on here how they used those ball to help baby. Tummy time is crucial, as you know, to their overall core and gross motor development, so even if you start off with only 30 seconds, and slowly work your way up to 1-2 minutes, eventually 5 minutes, etc., each minute is very important! Good luck!!
- By newbiema
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 11:57 am
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It took quite a while for my son to get good at lifting his head tummy time, most likely due to his reflux and the fact that he was a little on the weaker side to start. I don't think he could consistently lift his head until say maybe 3-4 months adjusted. Even then, tummy time was really really frustrating for him... it was very obvious that he wanted to move and crawl, and the fact that he wasn't able drove him crazy. However, putting objects just slightly out of his reach was just the motivation he needed to get going, and did eventually start crawling around 6 1/2 months adjusted... pretty early considering how long it took him to learn how to lift his head and start rolling.
It sounds like you should just keep doing what you are doing! 3 weeks adjusted is pretty early to be good at tummy time, so just be patient... I am sure it will happen!
- By katek
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 12:14 pm
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RE: "I have been worrying about every little thing but I am sure that is a 'normal' thing for preemie moms."
Honestly, I think that it is better to be concerned and a little anxious (even if it doesn't feel good) than to be too laid back...provided that the worry doesn't paralyze you!
RE: "even if you start off with only 30 seconds, and slowly work your way up to 1-2 minutes, eventually 5 minutes, etc., each minute is very important!"
Very true!
Our son's pediatrician didn't seem to think that we should "worry" about it per se until some time after 4 months adjusted. I mean, he wanted us to keep trying but not to be overly concerned.
Our son hated tummy time. Didn't want to lay on his stomach until AFTER he began crawling. We'd put him on his stomach and he'd roll out of it. But we made him do it anyway several times a day (got those couple seconds in here and there). We did a lot of modified tummy time. Even if baby is on your chest and you incline a couple inches back, that incline will work his arm and chest muscles more than being held upright. It isn't as much of a challenge as being parallel to the floor but an incline is better than nothing.
Ironically, our son liked to sleep on his stomach. He just didn't want to be on his stomach when awake. Around 5 months adjusted, he learned how to roll over onto his stomach. I, of course, was trying to make him stay on his back when asleep but eventually gave up (luckily, the back to sleep is less of a concern once they can roll on their own apparently).
- By faddu
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 6:39 pm
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My daughter hates tummy time. She will be fine for 1-2 min and after that she gets so annoyed and starts crying. The therapists say its imp she gets it every day, but its frustrating!!
- By oltmom
- Posted November 3, 2009 at 11:43 pm
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My son was doing the same at 3 months corrected, and I too was worried. He would just lay there, lick his arm and hang out. On our chest he would lift his head , but not use his arms. Just two weeks ago he suddenly got it, got it like a superstar. He was 4 1/2 months corrected, 8 months actual and has been holding his head up on his tummy ever since. I think sometimes we just have to be patient, that they meet their milestones in their own time. I have had to shut the books sometimes and just enjoy him for where he's at. Some days that's easier than others.
- By meggs2003
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 6:57 am
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oltmom-
That is true! I Think we do just have to be patient. Hopefully we will see some improvement soon! He holds his head up great when we hold him, and he will hold his head up when we put him on our chest and lay back. He holds his head up but not very long, and jsut doesnt use the arms!
We go see the NICU docs today so we will see what they say!
I hear the NICU f/u can be frustrating though..
- By JessicaK
- Posted November 4, 2009 at 8:58 pm
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Same here! My son hates tummy time, screams after just a few minutes. He is 17 weeks corrected and just started lifting his head well and moving his arms up. Still not rolling from tummy to back but is doing well going from back to side. We did a lot of inclined chest time too. if your baby is moving his extremities well and equally I wouldn't worry. It doesn't matter when your baby meets its milestones as long as he meets them.
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