How can I get my baby to enjoy laying on his tummy?

Sandy - posted on 11/07/2008

For tummy time my son didn't appreciate at first, I rolled a receiving blanket and placed that under his shoulders, chest side, while he was laying on the couch and I sat on the floor beside him at face level. He is facinated with hair so I could get him to focus on me for a good few minutes before he lost interest and just wanted to lay down. I started with the rolled blanket when he was 9 weeks old. Now at 12 weeks, he holds himself up for those few minutes to admire (?) my hair. I'll switch to a toy once I find one he likes more than hair!

Rene - posted on 11/07/2008

I have a 11 week old as well and he also hated tummy time I found the best toy it is called spin and explore mat you can get it in a lady bug or airplane they sell them at toys r us or walmart now he loves being on him tummy

Charissa - posted on 11/07/2008

When i started tummy time with my son i laid him on my belly and then i would talk to him and make noises to get his attention and at first he fussed only a few times but now he loves it! and i finally started putting him on the floor or i sit with him in my bed and he rolls around on the bed and loves it and laughs now. maybe the softness of my belly or the bed is more comfy! i just love it when hes on my belly its such a awseome bonding moment

K - posted on 11/06/2008

This takes their mind off of it! My son seems to like laying on his tummy with his head turned to the side and watching cartoons move around on the screen. The goal is five minute intervals. Having him lay on your chest, face to face is fine too. My son is three months old and still does cries from time to time if I have him on a mat with toys, music or a mirror.

Danae - posted on 11/06/2008

My son is the same way. He may just be too little and not interested in the toys yet. I just lay on the couch flat and lay him down on my chest where we can be face to face. I can get tons of 'Tummy Time' in with him this way! I did the same with my 4 year old daughter--she wasn't interested in independent 'tummy time' until she was about 5 months old. Good Luck!!

Jennafer - posted on 11/06/2008

My little guy is almost 3 months old and he hates laying on his tummy too.... What I do is put a breastfeeding pillow (those U shaped pillows) on the floors and I prop him up on that with toys underneath him. He manages to like it for about 5 mins... Which is better then nothing of course.

Rachael - posted on 11/06/2008

To get my son to lay on his tummy I would first lay him on my arm on his tummy and sort of sway him back and forth... Once he was comfortable with that I put him on the floor. He was ok for about a minute then he screamed and I picked him up. About an hour later I did it again and he lasted about a minute and an half. I repeated this and by the end of the day he would stay on his tummy for about 5 minutes before he would cry and five minutes a few times a day is plenty good...! Hope this helps. Also a mirror helps!

Alysa - posted on 11/06/2008

Hi ~ I also have an 11 weeks old. We put him on his tummy and at first he really likes it but after about a min or two he starts to fuss and cry. We also lay back and put him on our chest. He seems to really like that much better. ~ Good Luck

Alicia - posted on 11/06/2008

If his neck is strong enough try laying on your back and holding him above you like he's flying and make airplane sounds or even just smile. My daughter loves that. Laying him on your chest while sitting in a reclined possition also works.

Heather - posted on 11/04/2008

My daughter is 12 weeks and hates tummy time as well. We had her to physical therapy yesterday (for another minor reason), and the therapist said by 12 weeks she should be able to push herself up and hold it for awhile. Of course, this got me freaked out since she is unable to do this. She is able to hold her head up well when she is on our shoulders when we burp her and when we sit her up. We have one of those tummy time play things so hopefully it will help her a little bit. I like the idea of having tummy time on the changing table since she does seem to love being on it!

Danielle - posted on 11/01/2008

Hi I found sometimes just putting a extra blanket folded up under the tummy helped. But its very hard at 11 weeks. I was out shopping the other day and I did notice a walmart they have a new thing for babies that actually holds them from there chest to the end of belly (almost to their legs) for tummy time, and keeps them about 1 - 2 inches off the ground so they can actually see their toys and move more. I thought it was cute. And it looked very comfortable as well :)

Kat - posted on 11/01/2008

My daughter doesn't like tummy time too much either, she is 9 weeks old. I talked with our pediatrician about it at our 1 month check up and he said that having lay on my chest on her tummy (which she enjoys) is just fine (all they really want is for baby to develop neck muscles).

Jill - posted on 11/01/2008

hi im new here my daughter is 11 weeks too and she absolutly hates tummy time too! i try to put her on her tummy every day for a little while to get her used to it. ive also talked to a few friends and their babies love tummy time, and hate laying on their backs i guess it just depends on baby. she likes to sit up in her bumbo chair too maybe that helps? i think your just fine b/c im going thru the same thing too

Lisa - posted on 10/31/2008

Mine hates tummy time too, so we've spent more time having her sit upright or helping her in her "bumbo" chair. Also, she LOVES her changing table, so I've flipped her over during her happiest moments there. She tolerates it for a little while. I've also discovered that if a mirror or favorite toy is in front of her when she's on her tummy, she's more likely to stay interested (but I can't say she has EVER been on her stomach for more than 2 minutes!)

Jeannette - posted on 10/31/2008

I had the toughest time with my son. He didn't / doesn't have a favorite toy like the doctor and books tells you to set in front of him for enticement. I found out after feeling guilty that less than 2 mins at a time, per day was good enough. I found lounging back in a chair or on the couch a little and having him lay on my chest gave him the comfort he wanted and built up his neck and chest muscles just fine. He is 3 at the end of January and doing just fine. Good luck.