Tummy Time

Or, maybe we should call it "Tummy Torture". This is the time we spend with Josh playing on his tummy. The doctor told us to place Josh on his tummy 3 times a day for 10 minutes. The reason for tummy time is to strenghen the baby's neck muscles. Since babies sleep on their backs, they spend most of their time on their backs. Therefore, it is important to place babies on their stomachs for some play time. When we were growing up, it was common to place the babies to sleep on their stomachs, so tummy time was not as much of an issue.

Why tummy torture? Josh (as well as other babies) don't like tummy time. I guess you wouldn't either if you tried to lift a big heavy object with your weak muscles. Josh usually spends the time making grunting noises as he tries to lift his head off the ground and from side to side. Each week, he can lift it a little higher. Each week, his grunting noises get softer. The whole time, Mommy and Daddy are lying there right next to Josh cheering him on.