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"Container Babies"
I didn't create this phrase, ok? And it doesn't mean I'm against photos of babies in Easter Egg baskets, laundry baskets, or boxes, etc.. super cute.. For whatever reason, this has become the shortcut way of describing situations in which children spend lots of time in plastic devices. These include car seat carriers, strollers, bouncy seats, exersaucers, swings, highchairs, supported seats... etc. And there's nothing wrong with owning these or using them to keep your child safe while you try to get things done. But I ask that you use them in combo with ample opportunities for free movement and exploration on the floor. With car seat systems, a child can go from the house to the car, to a stroll in the park, back to the car, to a friend's house - all within the same carrier... I'm not knocking doing this some of the time. I'm sure I will someday if I have kids. But if it's a trend, for lengths of time multiple days a week, the child is missing out on opportunities to use their muscles and learn to move. Which is why we end up seeing them...
Tummy Time
Tummy time is the best! If your child is having trouble with head control, sitting up, or crawling, putting them on their bellies will make them work the necessary muscles for these skills. They learn so much on their tummies!
- to raise their head
- to prop up on their arms
- to shift their weight while reaching for toys with one arm
- to roll
- to pivot (change directions, like in a circle while on their belly)
- to push up on all fours for crawling
- to coordinate their arms and legs together for crawling
- to rotate their trunk and get in and out of sitting
- to get onto their knees and play sitting on their knees....
So many muscles are engaged in order to explore the world here. Otherwise their face is down in the carpet/blanket and that's no fun. So they learn quick!
Our friends like to look cute on their backs. And to stay there. :)
So I see a lot of little ones with flat spots on the back of their head where they typically lay and a strong dislike for tummy time. It's not uncommon for a baby who did not spend much time on their tummy to grow to the point of being able to sit up somewhat independently, but to have trouble lifting their head when on the floor. We see kids who are months delayed in their motor milestones due to lack of tummy time.
So what does an OT do for this?
I think it's easier for us in these situations to force tummy time than mom because we're not as emotionally attached. Because they let us know they don't like it! Crying. Screaming. Tears. Quivering lips. Often trying to roll immediately onto their backs.
We feel out a baby's frustration tolerance and distress and push them to stay on their bellies longer than they'd like. We give them breaks and snuggles and mom time in between. And it doesn't have to be flat on the floor. Their chest can be on a boppy pilly or rolled up blanket to assist them in propping up. They can be leaning over an adult's leg with arms in front, if they'll tolerate this better. They can be on your lap. Or on the couch of ottoman vs the floor (with an adult attending to them! no falling off the couch!) Tummy time can be "flying" in an adult's arms, horizonal to the ground. All these positions still challenge the neck, back, and belly muscles.
But they're crying? Yeah, so? :) Depending on what they enjoy, we may place a mirror in front of the baby. It's a good motivator for lifting up their head. Or have a toy on the floor slightly out of reach or slightly in the air. We sing songs, read books, have noise-making, light-flashing toys. We have mom or a sibling on their belly facing the child, talking to them. Whatever becomes most motivating for the child is what we put in front of them. And between rest breaks with their face to the floor, they will look up to explore the world.
But they roll onto their back immediately. Yeah, so? :) Hold down their butt. What? If they can't rotate their hips, they can't roll. We're not hurting them, just applying enough pressure to keep them there. With our rolling friends, they may like to rest their head to one side while on their belly. Then they only reach with one arm for toys, but we want to see them using both sides of the body equally. Tricks I've learned are threading your hand or foot under their chest with support under the armpit. If something annoying (aka me!) is under their armpit, their arms are out front and the head is up. Harder to put it down on that side.
And as much as they resist it, they get stronger and stronger until they are able to do something they couldn't before. And when they experience this they're like "Oh, this isn't so bad." It's a process, but I really enjoy seeing these kids make progress.
So for all you baby handlers out there... caregivers, good friends... don't be afraid to do tummy time. You're not hurting them. They will be ok. The crying will lessen eventually. Even though hearing them cry can be unnerving, you can do it!
Some tummy time resources:
https://www.babycenter.com/0_tummy-time-how-to-help-your-baby-get-comfortable-on-his-bell_1439985.bc
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