Tummy Time Mats

We got an Infantino mat as a gift that was about $20. It is shaped like a surfboard and has an area that you fill with water with floating toys inside and also has noisemaking toys attached. I think it is on Target's website if you want to check it out.

I agree that a blanket and some kind of stimulating toys are just perfect

We used the Tiny Love Gymini playmat that had music and lights in the blanket. The toys make different sounds, and there is a mirror. I am planning to get the windchime toy for my newest baby. I am hoping I can also use the toys separately, like as a mobile, etc. when we travel using plastic links (linkadoos). (It was a baby shower gift.)

I will say I didn't always replace the batteries, but that didn't seem to bother baby then. I think the lights were more stimulating than the music, but then there is always some other noise going on here.

One thing I disliked about it was that the arcs/bars over the top make it hard to pick up the baby off of the mat. You figure out the best way, but it was kind of annoying. I would say that reason would make a regular blanket and toys more appealing. If you use a blanket, then you can sit on it too! ...and use toys you already have.

I agree with the previous poster that craigslist would be a good place to look. You might also join your local freecycle.org group, and ask if anyone has one to give away.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

M.

Honestly, I'm not sure why you should bother. I used to lay a blanket out on one of our area rugs (we have hardword floors). The only thing I invested in for "tummy time" was an angled mirror ($10-$12, I think) so that my daughter could look at herself while laying on her stomach. It really entertained her.

Babies get tummy time for very short periods of time a couple times per day (right?), I think the cost of a "special" mat for that is ridiculous. These baby companies are so opportunistic! Tummy time is really important, but this type of mat makes very little sense to me!

I too have a three month old and we do the tummy time thing on the mat that came with our Pack'n'Play. Since she's not rolling or crawling yet I just put the mat on the floor and a rolled up towel underneath her chest, and a favorite toy w/in plain sight. She really hated tummy time before I did this and now she's really getting good at it and tolerates it more and more.

I also recommend a blanket with toys that can be used elsewhere. Before you know it, your baby is going to be sitting up. I have three kids (3 years, 2 years, and 7 weeks), and this has worked for us with all three of them. It's more flexible and you can use the toys in other ways once they out grow tummy time. I agree that a angled mirror is a great tummy time toy. Have fun!

Hi M..

I breastfed and had a Boppy Pillow. I just used this for tummy time sometimes. Most of the time I just spread a blanket on the floor. My daughter hated tummy time at first, but after a few weeks she loved it more and more. I also purchased a Lamaze mirror (it has a base for floor use and also detaches so that you can attach it to the crib) for Taylor to look at herself.
My daughter is almost two and when she was born we purchased a lot of toys for her. We have given most of them away. She is more intrigued by puzzles, wooden blocks and mega blocks than anything else so don't feel the need to buy all of the expensive toys on the market.
Hope this helps and good luck.

I have the Butterfly Dreams mat for my daughter and she loves it. (about $50) If cost is an issue just put her down on a regular blanket and give her some interesting things to look at. You don't have to have a store bought mat. If you have your heart set on a tummy time mat try out chicago.craigslist.org Look under the kids and baby stuff for sale and find something to purchase locally used. I have gotten tons of great gently used stuff off there from other moms.