HAPPY TUMMY TIME = HAPPY BABY

Moms, let me let you in on a little secret: you are going to get boring to your baby. You are actually not enough. Get your baby out of your arms and onto the floor as soon as you can! A baby that doesn't need mommy all the time to entertain itself, is a happy baby. And, that's a happy mommy too!

As soon as the umbilical cord is good, have the baby on its tummy as often as possible. In the beginning ( a few months here) that might mean you are on your knees in front of her keeping her happy. It might seem easier just to hold your baby. And besides, you WANT to hold that baby you waited 9 months for! But the more happy tummy time your baby has, the quicker she will develop physically, and once they can sit and play with toys, life is infinitely better. 

Of course you are still holding and talking to your baby. And helping her stand on your lap. And practicing sitting. But don't start with that. Once you've fed your child and she has digested a bit (putting her on her tummy right after eating will make her spit up/vomit) have her play on her tummy. When she tires of it, then you can play the games on your lap. 

I find that dropping in (while on my way to change loads of laundry) and smiling and talking to her for just a moment and putting a new toy in front of her, keeps her happy on her tummy longer than if I just leave her alone OR sit there the whole time. It allows her to concentrate/play/learn without getting upset because you aren't there OR because you're there and aren't picking her up. It's the happy middle. And I talk to her while she's in the living room and I'm doing the dishes in the kitchen.

Don't force tummy time. If you force it when it's not fun, you are going to make matters worse. She will remember that she doesn't like it instead of trying it openly later. If she goes on strike for a day or two, humor her. helping her to balance sitting on your lap is also strengthening those core muscles.