Gives up on tummy time

Darlene - posted on 02/21/2010

My 5 month old son screams when I put him on his tummy, always has. I don't do it. I didn't do it with my 3 year old and she was walking at 10 months and didn't miss any milestones. I strengthen his arms and back in other ways. When I put him on his tummy he lifts his head and arms and just cries. It's not worth it to me.

Amanda - posted on 02/19/2010

i never put my son on tummy time. He would just scream. I had to lay on my stomach at his level and laugh with him to get a couple minutes. He rolls over now so he wont even stay on his tummy. Im not worried though.

Sheree - posted on 02/17/2010

Most bubs don't like tummy time at first. Even if she is just laying there with her thumb in her mouth, it is still tummy time. We often had tummy time where we put her on our chest, so she could look at us, while getting used to the feeling of being on her tummy. Another favourite, was to lay her over your knees and play that way. Tummy time doesn't need to mean dumping them straight on the floor.

Julee - posted on 02/17/2010

thanks everyone, looks like my daughter is not outside of the norm, and I will just keep being persistent about it!

Danielle - posted on 02/17/2010

I had the same problem with my twins...we started tummy time from day one but we allowed them to do the tummy time on us. My hubby and I would lean back just enough to allow them to be on their bellies. They started to push upward from day one. They would cry when we would lie them on their mats directly on the floor. Now they are 5 months and 1 week and starting to crawl. They do this little "wiggle worm" thing as I like to call it LOL and roll from their back onto their belly all on their own and love that position now

Francine - posted on 02/14/2010

I had the same issue with my daughter, she hated it. But she has started to roll over now, and she enjoys it a little more. I think the fact that she gets there on her own makes a big difference :-). Also, she enjoys it more because she can lift herself up on her elbows.

Deb - posted on 02/14/2010

I think thats normal. Her attention span isn't even 5 minutes. She will crawl,relax she is way too young still :) You can lay down on couch or floor and fly her over you- its the same muscles. you can put her on your chest and she will look up at you.

Louise - posted on 02/14/2010

2nd reply. I know this may sound crazy, but at a recent chriopractor visit our chrio asked if I would mind if she upt our son on her table and checked him out because she had noticed he seemed to hold his head tilted to one side. I agreed and she said his Sacrum was out, could she adjust it? We allowed it and the difference is amazing!!!! He would fuss and give up after very short time on his tummy (2-5 min) When we came home we put him on his tummy and he loved it. His range of motion in his neck has increased tremendously, and tummy time is a joy he actully laughs and enjoys it now, he is also rolling both ways now instead of just to one side. If you have a good chrio who is qualified to work on infants I would recomend it 100%. Our chrio is amazing, and loves what she does.

Melissa - posted on 02/11/2010

I had the same problem when I first started the tummy time thing. But now my daughter LOVES it!! in fact, if i put her down on her back, she rolls onto her tummy! But, not all babies are the same. I don't think you have anything to worry about

Tathlina - posted on 02/10/2010

We found that he liked tummy time better if we were playing the part of the floor. After several weeks of either my husband and I being the floor our son was more willing to spend time on the floor by himself. My husband found is was a good time for him to get to play with baby and not feel left out.

Jenelle - posted on 02/10/2010

My daughter HATED tummy time. She did the same things you are saying your daughter does. I was really worried that she was going to be behind in her development and never crawl. She's not 5 months old and is actually ahead! She starting rolling over a little before 4 months without ever really doing tummy time. She still gets frustrated on her tummy, but only because she can't crawl. She's getting close, though. All that to say...don't worry. They somehow do it. Just keep putting her on her belly for the short periods of time that she'll take it. My ped told me to stop when she fusses and gives up since she's not doing anything. Good luck!

Hilarry - posted on 02/08/2010

My baby girl, Keiren, used to hate tummt time too! It's not natural to them to lay on their tummy's so they fight it. I took a towel and rolled it up and proped it up under her arms and put her toys in front of her and got down in the floor with her...she likes it now. My hubby would put her in the middle of a towel and grab the corners and put his hand under her belly on the towel and twirl around with her and she liked that too. Just keep trying!

Louise - posted on 02/08/2010

Try laying her accross your lap on her tummy worked for my oldest (he hated tummy time) but he new one likes to lay on my chest while im on my back.

Ashley - posted on 02/07/2010

my twins were the same way! especially my daughter... she would just lay there and not want to do anything. even if they done like it keep at it... it will help. being on their tummy is not a normal thing for them so they are going to be fussy... but they will eventually get used to it

Noreen - posted on 02/05/2010

I have 3 kids and I was horriable about tummy time. Honestly, they never had "tummy" time unless I was on the floor playing with them. Kaleb was crawling by 5months well army crawling that is, and Noah didn't crawl until almost 8months.

Abby does the same thing. Today I laid her on the floor while I went to switch out the laundry and I laid her on her back, she fliped to her belly, sqeeled for a few minutes, then laid her head down and sucked on her thumb until I picked her up after I was finished switching the laundry out. I wouldn't worry about your LO not getting the "proper" tummy time.

Danielle - posted on 02/05/2010

same here!!! she loves to walk so...i leave her in her walker !! problem solved haha

Julee - posted on 02/05/2010

Thanks everyone! I thought it was just Sofie asserting herself, and showing me that she was like her mommy. I'll just keep trying! :)

Chantale - posted on 02/05/2010

You could also try putting him on your stomach for tummy time, and play that way. I have a tummy time mat, and my little man loves it! He started out at 3 months doing maybe 2 min, but has increased to 5-15min depending on the time of day (morning is usually better). He is now moving around in circles on his back, and to his side (he does not like to roll over).

Louise - posted on 02/05/2010

Every time I put my son on his tummy he just rolls back onto his back! He really hates tummy time and now he has learnt to roll he does it as soon as I put him down

Stephanie - posted on 02/05/2010

I've never succeeded with tummy time - he just lays there screaming until I pick him up again! If I put him on my chest and lower myself down slowly he's quite happy on his belly. He also liked being upright from a few weeks old, so has spent most of his time awake sat up, which has really strengthened his back and neck muscles and is already trying to sit up on his own. Don't worry about him crawling, many babies don't. Some shuffle along on their bums and some go straight from standing to walking. Alex like being held on his feet, so I think he'll just go from standing to walking. Don't worry, she'll be fine!

Sherri - posted on 02/05/2010

Just keep trying. The fact that you're doing anything is great. I lay down on my side where my son can see me and talk to him. I also use toys that he likes. When I first began tummy time, the boppy was our best friend.

Kellie - posted on 02/05/2010

Same problem here...I"m not worried about, they'll be fine. They're not going to be a grown adult still stuck on their tummy, I can guarantee it :)