Reading My Responces from Yesterday-speaking of Tummytime..

Updated on January 05, 2013
S.E. asks from Caldwell, NJ
7 answers

so i asked about swaddling and mentioned that i was worried it might be hindering my daughter as far as her motor skills go with her arms.. ive been increasing her tummy time lately (wether she likes it or not- shes not a fan of being on her belly) and to me it seems like shes not really using her arms.. sne never puts her hands down on the floor to push herself alll the way up.. it seems like she is using her back and stomach muscles only and just using her forearms to rest her weight on when she gets tired.. ive also noticed latley when she goes to grab a toy or somthing its like her perception is off.. shell go to grab a toy but her hand will go slightly passed it the first time and then the second time around she g ets it... normal for a 5month old?? .. anything i can do to help her out?? .. i think up until now i wasnt pushing the tummy time enough.. as soon as she would start to get frustrated i would pick her up.... wow as i was typing that last sentence she was starting to get frustrated and flipped herself right over from belly to back and now shes happy yaayyy!!! shes getting quicker and quicker at that .. speaking of rolling over.. she has absolutley no interest in rolling from back to belly.. like none at all.. if you push her halfway over she fights you to go back on her back... is that a big deal?? should i be pushing more for her to do that - nothing, i mean nothing will get her to roll over onto her belly.. .. its not like shes totally behind i mean if you sit her up she hold herself up for quite a while before losing balance and falling over

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So What Happened?

..i think i may be over analyzing everything after that whole "wow your baby has a big head, is that normal for your family? we should monitor that she may have something wrong with her" thing from my doctor

More Answers

J.O.

answers from Boise on

I've never held to the whole tummy time thing. Babies can get tummy time many ways that doesn't require parents placing them on the floor and watching them get flustered. You can lay her in you lap tummy down, carry her in a football hold, tummy down, you can lay her on your chest and interact with her. There are many other things that can constitute "tummy time".

As for rolling over, this is another area that varies widely. Some babies can roll from 2 months of age, and others won't do it till they are 8-9 months of age. Same for back to stomach, that's the hardest and takes the longest to master. My 7th didn't master it till over a year old, he crawled and walked but couldn't figure out how to get off his back. We called him turtle boy, cause it was like watching a turtle. Funnier then heck.

Motor skills, reaching and missing is perfectly normal at this age. Just keep giving her chances to reach out for things. It's a skill, just like everything else and requires lots of practice.

Don't push it though, she'll do what needs to be done when she is ready.

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P.G.

answers from Dallas on

Get the book "what to expect the first year" to help you with expectations and the range of "normal" for developing babies. And ask your pedi at your next well visit.

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J.Y.

answers from Chicago on

It all sounds in the range of normal development to me. I have seen many babies appear to be skydiving when on their tummies (arms back and legs up). If you continue to provide opportunities for her to be on her tummy then she will get stronger and do better. Also, hand eye coordination takes time. Before you know it she will be grabbing everything you don't want her to as you walk by things carrying her. Five months is still very young. There is a wide range of normal. As long as she continues to progress in her development, then you have nothing to worry about.

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P.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I think some parents get themselves too worked about these things. There is a huge variation in regards to "normal" development.

Is there a medical reason you should worry?

Have you asked her dr?

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A.J.

answers from Eau Claire on

Whoa...relax momma!! I understand your concern about the 'big head' but you're taking her to the doctor and so far nothing has been diagnosed or is a concern.

I put my kids on the floor to play (or in exersaucers) alot, but never worried about 'teaching' them to roll or sit or walk...they did all that whether I wanted them to or not!

Trust me, your daughter WILL do these things and in a VERY short amount of time. She's only 5 months, but when she is a year old you will read this post and LAUGH...I promise!!

Just try and play with your baby so she's in different positions throughout the day (lying, sitting, standing) and she'll figure the rest out on her own :)

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

My oldest didnt like being on her stomach either until I placed her on her belly in a dark room then used a flashlight to first light her hands then slowly across the floor then up on the wall. Se was so fascinated with following the light she no longer fussed being on her belly.
At 5 months old she is still learning to use her arms but she is obviously still uncoordinated. She will improve with practice. Don't worry.

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A.N.

answers from New York on

Holy guacamole. Breathe. Relax. Everything sounds totally fine.

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