Tummy Time Alternative

I'm sure that many of you have tried to push through "tummy time" only to end up frustrated in the end.  Since everyone is encouraged to follow the "Back To Sleep" campaign, most babies these days HATE being on their tummies!  It's like torture for both mom and baby.  I know that I am lucky to get 2-3 minutes of tummy time before Ziva has a meltdown.  And who wants to do something that you know is going to result in a meltdown???  I know that she needs to be on her belly so that she can learn to crawl.  She won't be able to crawl without developing those little muscles of her.  So, what is a mama to do?  Enter the balance/stability ball.  As adults, we are all to familiar with these lovely things that, if used properly and regularly, give you a great core work out.

Zayit, Ziva and I were playing in our upstairs playroom when it occurred to me that there was a great alternative to the torture of tummy time.  We have a ball that Zayit plays with that is roughly 1/2 the size of our balance ball and it is just the right size for Ziva!  She can stand with her legs apart and knees bent and use it to balance herself - sometimes even letting go for a couple seconds.  She also LOVES to be on her belly on this thing!  SCORE!  We have been using it to put all those tummy time muscles to good use.  It is helping with her strength and balance.  She loves to be rolled all around on it and she is now able to compensate when I push the ball in a different direction.  It's so fun to watch her develop without any tears!  YAY!

Look at that head... held nice and high!

She stands and uses the ball for support.  Here I am nudging the ball to the side and she is pushing back.

Sometimes I hold on to her feet while she leans forward to try and grab a toy in front of her.

Tummy time doesn't have to be torture... you can find other ways to use the same muscles and have fun!