Tummy Time Troubles

Amy - posted on 05/31/2009

Hey, I work with babies on this exact skill all the time! Most of them hate tummy time until 4-5 months of age because it is harder to hold your head up from a horizontal position than propped up in vertical (like on your shoulder). It helps to prop your baby's elbows up under his/her shoulders to give a little support. I like to get on my tummy alongside baby so I can see everything that is going on and they can see me! Don't expect to get more than 30 seconds to a minute of un-screaming tummy time at 3 months old. And don't force it, try to distract with your voice or a favorite toy in front of them. Trying it a couple of times a day is enough if you don't have any concerns about head control in any other positions.

Catherine - posted on 05/23/2009

You can buy one of those pillows specifically made for tummy time. I saw some today with toys sewn onto them [like an activity mat, but the toys are in front of the pillow so baby will look forward].
Please don´t stress too much about this though! My first son HATED tummy time. He had severe colic, and would NOT be put down on his tummy - he screamed blue murder to be held again. He still however, managed to crawl and walk and talk etc. While tummy time is good for them, it is NOT by any means so essential we have to watch our little babas hate it! If my baby cries and is unhappy on his tummy, we try again later rather....they will get there! :)

Elizabeth - posted on 05/22/2009

we just got back from the dr and he said that erik needs 2-3 HOURS of tummy time a day...that seem like an awful lot to me. he likes tummy timebut it still seems like alot. does this seem like a lot of face down time to anyone else?

Joy - posted on 05/19/2009

My 15th week old LOVES bath time.... I bathe him on the mesh thingy and I put him on his belly while rubbing and massaging his back. find him holding his head up perfectly and not complaining! Or try a mirror in his crib....Or use the boppy pillow so he/she doesn't bash their face into a not so soft surface

Kasia - posted on 05/19/2009

Hi. My son(24.02) didnt like it on the begginig but we stil was puting him on belly every day... After some time he start to enjoy it... As far as I know it was really good for him to lay on the belly- he could turn from belly to back already when he was 7 weeks! Its also really good practice for lifting the had up. So dont get stressed when your baby is craing- just keep trying. Good luck

Erin - posted on 05/19/2009

Try putting him down for shorter periods of time but more often. That's what I had to do with my daughter, and in the beginning she only lasted a minute or two without cracking it. That's ok. She gradually became more comfortable in that position, and by trying to make it fun with her favourite toys or songs she began to associate it with playtime. My daughter's 3 1/2 months old, has been rolling front to back for a few weeks now and just today started reaching for her toys while on her belly! Oh and get down on the floor with your son if you can...

Tarah - posted on 05/18/2009

well at first i was worried about tummy time since my son was not able to move his head at first. so the doctor told me to get a boppy pillow. which has worked for he has now learned to push himself up and has great control of his head. there are time that if I am not right by him he will fuss and gets upset but if i am right next to him he seems to be ok. but then again the boppy that i got has toys that my son is able to play with while he is on his tummy.

Christine - posted on 05/18/2009

My son (born 2/3/09) also hates it! He can do mini push ups and has great head control when I hold him but has not rolled either way yet. I know I should not worry but it's fustrating to see and hear other babies younger then him that can roll and have done so from a young age!!!

Kelina - posted on 05/16/2009

my son never liked tummy time either. He would scream and scream and scream so i tried laying him across my lap and that seems to work. make sure you put down a recieving blanket though or you'll have to change your pants.

Kerry - posted on 05/15/2009

hi, im glad i found this post as i read one where lots of babys same age as mine (13 weeks today born feb 13th) can roll from front to back. my baby likes tummy time for 5 mins and lifts her head very well always has, but after about 5 mins she starts screaming and wants to be held or sit up.

Briony - posted on 05/14/2009

yep same here with my son, the only time he'll do it is if he is on me. If I put him on his mat tummy down he doesn't lift his neck and just screams frustratedly. He Love being upright so that he can take in what is going on around him. I'm not stressing about it though because when he starts rolling I'm sure he'll get more tummy time of his own will :)

Amanda - posted on 05/14/2009

My little girl does the same thing she will lift her head up though. She does fall asleep sometimes but I usually put her on her tummy for like 15 mins or so anyways. Don't put them on the tummy right after they eat because my daughter spits up more so I'll let her bottle settle first but just keep putting them on the tummy for a little bit and they'll get the hang of it.

Connetia - posted on 05/13/2009

my son does the same thing. He was born 2-3-09. just lately when we roll him over he screams even louder and i dont know why. I try to slouch on the couch or lie back in the recliner and he will do that. Good Luck

Stacie - posted on 05/12/2009

We started our daughter with tummy time in her bobby before trying it directly on the floor. She was more comfortable this way since she didn't feel like her head was buried in the floor. When we transitioned to the floor, she seemed to take to it pretty well, but she does get tired after a bit from the extra work of lifting her head and looking around.

Gigi - posted on 05/11/2009

My son was born February 19th and also hates tummy time. He lasts about 2 minutes and then begins to cry. He does a great job of holding his head up and turning it from side to side, but not down with being on the floor and trying to lift himself.

Samantha - posted on 05/11/2009

YES!!!!!! Exactly the same. Every time I put my baby down he will be ok for MAYBE 10 mins before he either falls asleep or starts screaming his head off.He does lift his head though and look around for a little bit. But like you said he has AMAZING control when you hold him up and has since he was a week old. He doesnt need anykind of support for his head at all when you hold him up.

Andrea - posted on 05/09/2009

I was having the same problem because my daughter has reflux so tummy time was a big no no. But, now she wants to roll and turn over so I let her, I figure they will do it when they are comfortable. I would put her on her tummy at first and she would scream but, now that I let her do it on her own she likes it a lot better. I put her on her playmat and she winds up on her tummy and will scream because she gets stuck but, she is starting to work in out on her own. Oh, and my girl was born on the 4th as well !!

Shannon - posted on 05/08/2009

Yup, my 3month old hates tummy time! She doesn't mind though if I lay her on my stomach, that gets her to lift her head to look around. I wouldn't worry too much about it :)

Kathleen - posted on 05/08/2009

hi my daughter was born Feb 12 and still hates tummy time as well. She screams through the whole thing, and being a first time mom I'm not sure what to do to make her enjoy it either. But don't feel alone cause i am right there with you.