Hellobee

Since our little guy’s open heart surgery at 3 months old, he has never laid on his tummy and played. Prior to his surgery, he enjoyed tummy time. Even when he became too weak from heart failure, and I held him on my chest, he could push himself up to look at me. After his surgery, that changed. He wouldn’t tolerate being held on our chest for long periods of time, nor would he lay on his tummy to play.

After he recovered from surgery, we tried many different physical therapy techniques to help him overcome his aversion to laying on his belly, but none were successful. I was concerned the lack of tummy time would negatively affect his muscles and development. We know kids with CHD are at risk for struggling academically. While some of these struggles are due to low oxygen saturation levels, especially for kids with a complex CHD, part of these academic struggles can be attributed to the lack of strength in their core muscles. Kids benefit from strong core muscles, because it allows them to sit and focus without becoming tired in school. They use their energy to read and learn, instead of expending their energy, inadequately, to hold their body in place.

However, what concerned me the most about his intolerance for tummy play, is questioning if he has lingering pain or discomfort from his surgery. While recovering from his open heart surgery, the wires holding his sternum bone together had protruded through his skin, and we had to keep cutting it back. I wondered if the remaining wires caused him pain, and we just couldn’t see it, or maybe his chest scar caused him discomfort.

Oddly, I’m thankful for my C-Section scar. Because I had major surgery a few months before his surgery, I understand how the tissue around the scar can sometimes feel itchy, numb, or just have a weird sensation. I used to love Yoga and Pilates, but certain movements cause discomfort. Maybe it is the same for his chest scar, and it’s an unsettling sensation for him. Of course, he can’t really talk yet, so this is all speculation on our part.

With his development moving forward, I’ve became less concerned about his gross motor skills and muscle strength. I realized he might never tolerate being on his tummy, unless he is asleep in his crib. But, if there is one thing about our little guy that has held true from birth, it’s that he constantly surprises us.

This past week, I peeked around the corner to check on him, and I saw him hesitantly lower himself onto his tummy and lay on the hardwood floor. He stayed there for just a few seconds and popped up again. The second time he did this, he was trying to imitate his big sister. She was laying on the couch on her tummy. He kept looking at her, and then slowly lowered himself to his belly. I watched in amazement. I was so giddy. It was like watching him take his first steps.

He’s been doing this more and more lately, and trying different surfaces. Each time he’ll stay on his tummy a little longer. The best part is that he looks up at me with mix of excitement and pride. I love seeing that expression and his sweet grin. Sometimes, he’ll look unsure and we have to clap and offer encouragement. Other times, we have to lay next to him so he doesn’t pop back up, but each time he gains a little more confidence.

It’s interesting having a child with a serious medical diagnosis. It’s these unexpected milestones that have brought so much excitement. This milestone seems small, but it has given me relief from worry about lingering pain or discomfort from his surgery, and hope, that he can overcome other challenges related to his CHD. I’m still not sure what was holding him back from playing on his tummy; fear, discomfort, pain, the unfamiliar. But he overcame it, and I’m so proud of my little boy.