Why Does My Son Hate Tummy Time???

Mary - posted on 01/27/2010

Girl my daughter who is 4 months old does the same thing!! If you figure something out let me know! The only thing that helps her is rolling a towel up underneath her chest and even then she still gets cranky after a few minutes.

Samantha - posted on 01/27/2010

Hi Sarah. First is your son happy when being changed? If he is if the pad is removable ... we have had really good luck putting our son on his tummy on his changing table pad. We are now trying to move him from his changing table pad to his play mat...we will see how it goes. Good luck!

Sarah - posted on 01/27/2010

My four month old HATES tummy time! I will put him on his tummy and he'll be okay for a few minutes and then he just lays his head down and starts screaming. I try to get down on his level and talk and play with him, but he still cries and even starts spitting up some too. I have put a mirror in front of him to look at himself, but nothing seems to make him happy. I have tried putting him on my chest and he's okay with that for a little bit, but he seems much happier sitting up in my lap or on his back! Good luck and let us know how it goes!

Sharee - posted on 01/27/2010

my daughter hated tummy time too she would just bury her head in the playmat, but then after 4 months it was like over night she got better. I put her on her tummy and she lifted her neck right up. she got sick of it after about 4 mins but only two weeks later she is rolling from tummy to back! Dont stress he will do it when he is ready

Brandi - posted on 01/25/2010

I understand where you are coming from putting my little girl on her Tummy is more like torture than play time. She normally does ok for about the first five minutes then the screaming begins. When that happens I normally try to lay down on the floor beside her and talk to her and encourage her to play. That doesnt always help but sometimes is calms her down. As soon as I pick her up or roll her over to her back she is fine...But, so far I have found nothing to help with Tummy time.... I hope you find something that works....

Samantha - posted on 01/22/2010

Hi everyone thanks for the comments they were all very helpful. I have tried laying him on our chests, he isn't to fond of that. However, I was talking to a friend who suggested I try tummy time on his changing table pad (it's removable) he is always very happy while getting changed. It seems to be working okay..he still screams after about two minutes but the crying after is down to about 15 mins. He just turned 4 months so I think I will give it a few weeks more and if he doesn't stop screaming soon I will call the doctor. Thanks again :)

Amanda - posted on 01/22/2010

my son use to do that. he would just sit and scream the second he was on his tummy. it would take a lot of work to get him calmed down. he didn't turn over until he was 5 months old.. and from there he took off like nothing else! he took his first unassisted steps at 8 and a half months old. he's been runnning ever since. my daughter just turned four months and is just starting to push her self to the side a bit. she likes tummy time, but shes not to interested in moving. im not worried. have you tried tummy time on your lap? or layign down and putting him on your chest? it just took practice to get my son to lay on his tummy. keep wokring on it and just relax. if you get really worried, talk to his doctor.

Heidi - posted on 01/20/2010

Oh! I forgot to mention his tummy time mat. Here is a link to the mat that someone gave to him for Christmas. He loves it! The colors are so bright and interesting; I catch him looking at it sometimes even when he isn't having tummy time. There are different mats you can get but we have had good luck with this one. And I agree with Chantale totally. My little one often rolls over from back to belly but rarely from belly to back. He has done belly to back but it doesn't happen very often.

http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Starts-Tumm...

Chantale - posted on 01/20/2010

My liitle guy is 4 mobths old in a few days and hated it too! I got a tummy time mat which has a little pillow on it , and he likes it. He lasts about 10 solid min now before starting to whine. He rolled over once from tummy to back at 2 1/2 months but has not done it since. Dont worry cause they will!! Some babies work on other skills first before rolling over.

Heidi - posted on 01/20/2010

Oh and make sure you are having tummy time when he is alert and in a playful mood. If it was close to nap time, I heard more crying from my little one.

Heidi - posted on 01/20/2010

My little one hated it too. It is normal for babies who sleep on their backs to not like tummy time. My little one is now rolling over but he was a bit slower to do it compared to some babies I know who were tummy sleepers.

Like Becky recommended, we started with tummy time on my chest or his dad's chest. One of us would recline in a recliner and put him on our chest. That was more enjoyable for him. It is like he did not realize he was having tummy time! As he built up his strength more we would then gradually extend our tummy time on the floor. I also recommend lying on your tummy in front of him and putting some fun and 'DISTRACTING' toys in front of him too. We have a little snail toy that lights up and sings the alphabet. He got so focused on the toy that he would forget that he was on his tummy on the floor. Again, as he gradually builds strength it will get better.

Like Becky said, if the screaming continues, it might be a good idea to talk to the pedi and make sure he is not in any pain.

Becky - posted on 01/19/2010

Neither of my kids have been crazy about tummy time, but they haven't cried that much. Have you tried lying down in front of him so he can see you and talking to him while he's on his tummy? Or, if that still doesn't work, try lying on your back and giving him tummy time on your chest. Some babies prefer that. If he still screams as much, maybe check with your doctor, because it almost sounds like it might be painful for him.

And try not to worry too much - he will still gain those skills that babies who spend more time on their tummies gain. It might take a little bit longer, but hating tummy time does not mean he is never going to roll over, crawl, or walk!