Tummy Time!

Lorilynne - posted on 01/15/2009

I think pretty much all babies hate tummy time at first because they can't do very much and its frustrating for them.  I would just put my son down for a minute or so a couple of times a day until he could hold his head up pretty well and would stay on the floor for longer.  Now he's always on his tummy.  He started rolling over from back to tummy at three months and finally figured out how to roll from his tummy to his back when he hit four months.  Now he's on the ground all the time just rolling around everywhere.  He's trying to figure out how to crawl but can't get on his hands and knees at the same time :)  I personally don't like to give in when my kids get a little frustrated trying to figure something out because I do want to make sure that they learn problem solving skills right from the beginning.  However, if my son got to the point where I knew he was going to start crying, then tummy time was over. IF he was just grunting or making noise I wouldn't pick him up but as soon as I knew he was about to cry then tummy time was over.   My daughter was the same way and she was crawling by five months and walking by ten months.  For those of you whose babies hate the tummy time, have you tried laying on your back and putting your baby on your tummy so they can see your face or propping them up under their armpits with a boppy?   This way they aren't face down on the floor.

Angela - posted on 01/14/2009

Grace was the same way until she started rolling over onto her belly at night. Now she is used to it and she doesnt fuss as much.

Michelle - posted on 01/14/2009

Mine hates it as well...he'll only go about five minutes at a time. If I hold him on my own stomach it helps. He hasn't rolled over yet either since he hates being on his stomach, I'm thinking maybe he'll skip that step all together? I keep trying in the mean time. Sometimes just letting him cry for awhile on his stomach.

Lisa - posted on 01/14/2009

Thanks for all the adivce. From now on I am not going to worry so much about it. Since she was a few weeks old she likes to hold her up and look around so I know she is fine where it comes to her neck muscles. I admit that I love to just hold her and love on her. It feels good to know that I'm not the only one going through it. God Bless

Lisa - posted on 01/14/2009

Eva has never been a fan of tummy time. We put her on her tummy a little every day but she can't handle more than a couple of minutes and never has. She has great neck strength regardless though and would rather be upright in the exersaucer anyway.

Rawney - posted on 01/14/2009

My baby doesn't like tummy time either and cries after a couple minutes, so I rarely do it. I get worried though because her neck is weaker than most babies and she is just so "floppy"! For some reason, she tolerates it a little better if I take her clothes and diaper off... I don't know, I think tummy time is just cruel...

Vicki - posted on 01/14/2009

Hi Lisa, tummy time is a bit of a myth! I have never put my baby in tummy time. But I do know that she will gain the strength  in her neck and back to roll over etc, and then when she can roll over she will have the strength to hold herself on her tummy. Have you ever seen a 5 year old going to school with a floppy neck? They all get there in the end. 

Your daughter probably cries because she hates it and is uncomfortable. Sometimes if we put ourselves in these postions so we know how babies may feel - can you imagine not being able to move your arms and legs (when that is the only thing you can move) not being able to take a deep breath, crashing your head of the floor constantly as you struggle to control your not 'ready yet' neck muscles!! Sorry I don't mean to harp on but I am an advocate to 'no tummy time' until they can get there on their on their own. hope this puts your mind at rest and trust that your little one will get there.

KaiLee - posted on 01/14/2009

I agree.  Endrew doesn't really like to be on his tummy either.  He does roll over now though.  He cries if he is in his crib and rolls to his tummy.  Just give it time, she will get more accustomed to it.  I try to put toysdown in front of him so that maybe he will be amused.  It doesn't always work though.  :)

Patricia - posted on 01/14/2009

I don't know if this is a popular view or not...and I'm a first time mom so this may be for naught...but my little girl who will be 5 months on the 27th also does not like tummy time much. We always picked her up once she got upset with it and we still do. Nothing I have read suggests that we have to force them to stay on their tummy. They will develop that skill regardless it may just take a while. We have let her decide. What has been happening is that she is getting interested in toys and if we put them around her she wants to grab them. This is actually encouraging her to twist and turn as she tries to get them.

Kerri - posted on 01/14/2009

I say don't force it, she will roll onto her tummy and play  when she is ready :)

Give her a week and try again. :)