I need help with the "tummy time"

Loren - posted on 07/03/2010

I have the same problem but I keep at it everyday and she likes it more and more :)

Becky - posted on 07/03/2010

just keep at it... evenutally she'll get over it when she learns she will not get out of having to do it! There is this tummy time toy that I use with my infants at my work in my class.. it's called the The First years Happy Flyer Tummy Time... it's AMAZING... you place baby on the plastic part and it allows baby to move but keeps him or her to keep his head up... check it out:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?h...

Britney - posted on 07/02/2010

My daughter also hates tummy time. To change it up I lay on the floor, with my legs as a platform. I put her on my legs and hold her hands. She loves "flying" through the air and getting closer and further away from me. She never seems to get tired of tummy time when we do it like that, but I get tired of being drooled on..haha!

Jennifer - posted on 07/02/2010

there are a few ways you can help her feel comfortable. tummy time on you either reclined or laying on the floor will help her start building the muscles in her arms, upper torso, and neck. You can also prop her up on either a boppy pillow or towel with a toy in front of her to keep her interested. These are a few things that I have been doing with my daughter who was born on March 18th, she now prefers to be either on her side or her belly.

Lara - posted on 07/01/2010

My DD loved tummy time, DS doesn't but I give him tummy time anyway, if he cries then he cries. I know it's not easy hearing our dear children cry, but honestly I don't have time with a 4 yr old to hang on to him all day either. My nephew had a helmet because of a flat head and I don't want to have DS have to have one either.

Jessica - posted on 07/01/2010

Just keep trying, and don't worry! If she doesn't get it now, she will once she starts rolling over. My oldest would just go to sleep when I put him down for tummy time... he's now a healthy and strong 4 year old boy!

Kalia - posted on 07/01/2010

wow. i actually have the opposite problem if anyone can help me. My son is 3 mos and loves being on his tummy. he hates being on his back and im worried he wont roll because we just always put him on his tummy...

Raven - posted on 07/01/2010

Mt daughter is the same way. So all these comments with advice are great for me too. Her doctor suggested that I try to make a game out of tummy time by putting her on her tummy for a few seconds then flipping her back over dramatically and playing with her, then putting her back on her tummy for a little longer. Basically it becomes like peek-a-boo. I haven't gotten far with it yet but I'm hoping it helps her get used to it.

Chantelle - posted on 06/30/2010

i found that crying while doing tummy time is a great way for them too learn how to roll over too. my daughter always gets mad on her tummy but crying is also their way of exercising so keep it up and don't give into them when they start to cry.

Marcy - posted on 06/30/2010

I have twin boys...one has figured out how to roll onto his back, so tummy time doesn't last long. The other screams the entire time & hasn't figured out how to roll over. I'm not quite sure what to tell you, as I'm struggling with the same thing.

Symone - posted on 06/29/2010

Atfirst with our girls we laid them across our knees & rubbed their back really gentle with just their nappy on. They got used to being on their tummy being a nice time. Then they went on their play may with toys scattered all around them. I tend to lay on the floor so they can see me & that I've gone anywhere. They get used to it in the end. I'd say just try & keep it fun & make sure they feel safe. Hope that helps ;0)

Alyssia - posted on 06/29/2010

Funny, my cats love the tummy time mat too. Not our 3 month old though. She is working up to staying there longer and longer each time we try, and it helps when I lay on the floor with her. If she's screaming and unhappy, I don't think I'd leave her there for 10 minutes, 7 times a day like another post said. But I do think it's important so we'll keep it up, gradually and happily.

Lauren - posted on 06/28/2010

I am in the same boat! We try to do it in 5 minute increments. She is ok for the first 2-3 minutes; then she cries.

Helen - posted on 06/27/2010

I have a Lamaze tummy time toy which seems to extend the time my 3 month old twins can handle on their tums, but just as everyone else has said, it only lasts for 5 minutes tops :)

Korin - posted on 06/27/2010

I dont know if this has been suggested yet, but have you tried positioning a boppy under her? Mine likes tummy time on her Boppy but not flat.

Danelle - posted on 06/27/2010

my son is just starting to like tummy time. And still doesn't like it for very long. I do it after i change his diaper. I always let him be naked for a little while. He loves it! Its easier for him to kick his legs around. He wont do tummy time if he has a diaper on. Unless he's laying on my chest.

Mariana - posted on 06/25/2010

my son doesn't really like being on hes tummy and always rolls over on to his back but I try to keep him on his tummy at least ten mins a day even if he cry's a little

Brooke - posted on 06/25/2010

try to lay down and put bubs on yur chest laying her on her bell
my baby girl started off like that and she loved it that way now she loves tummy time

Teresa - posted on 06/24/2010

my baby is three months old and is just starting to tolerate longer periods of tummy time, but he still can't go for more than a couple minutes. just be persistant, i guess

Dani - posted on 06/24/2010

My little guy is 3 months old and hates tummy time also. I usually just rub his back and sit on the floor where he can see me. He still cries for most of it so our tummy sessions only last a few minutes at a time.

Amanda - posted on 06/24/2010

my baby is the same. The pillows don't make any difference to him. He still hates it.

Angelina - posted on 06/23/2010

Thats me ! Spent 80 dollars at Babies r us and my daughter wants no part of it ! The cats love it though !

Monique - posted on 06/23/2010

We have a tummy time matt or my three month old, she's my first, she will lie on her front for a couple of seconds lift her head then scream like its a horrfic experience, i roll up on of her blankets and put it under her chest so her hands are on the matt infron of her. she seems to enjoy this more but sill wont do more than a miute or 2

Angelina - posted on 06/23/2010

My daughter is 3 months old and hates it also . Starts screaming right away !

Genevieve - posted on 06/23/2010

Every time you change her diaper, flip her onto her tummy for a few minutes. My daughter was the same and now she loves it.

Nicole - posted on 06/22/2010

thank you all for the advice I will try some of your ideas. this is my first baby so it is a learning experience for me

Michelle - posted on 06/22/2010

My little girl is the same way, she screams and crys and puts her face down into the blanket, but deffinetly keep trying to help strengthen those tiny muscles.

Laura - posted on 06/22/2010

My little guy could only lay down on his tummy for about 3 minutes when I first started because his neck muscles weren't strong yet and the blanket kept getting in his face. After awhile, when the neck muscles started toning he liked it more. Also, don't lay your baby on her tummy about an hour and a half after she eats, this will be better on her tummy.

Jennifer - posted on 06/22/2010

I honestly don't think is that important. Definately keep tryin. But my daughter never like it at all. But she is stronger than 90% of kids her age. She was also 23lbs by 5 months so that is a little too much weight for a baby to have to push up. But she did a kinda crawl for about a week. Took her first steps at 10 months and walking well before her 1st bday. Oh and she could sit on her own well by 4.5months. So she may have different strengths!!

Shaunna - posted on 06/21/2010

Someone gave me the advice to put my daughter on my chest for her tummy time. She still gets to use her muscles and its not so traumatic for her. Plus she gets to have bonding time with mommy!!! She hates tummy time, just laying flat on the floor or bed. So this works out well!!! Hope this helps!

Amanda - posted on 06/21/2010

my son did the same. sometimes i'd just sit there next to him on his blanket and let him cry for a lil bit. sometimes i'll put him on my tummy when i'm layin down and he liked that a lot better than being on the floor. also try laying her on your lap (on her tummy of course) when u burp her. the bumbo sitter helps to, my son sits in it and watches baby einstein at 3 months old and loves it.

Amanda - posted on 06/21/2010

My one boy sometimes hates being on his tummy, so we got him a bumbo chair and he loves sitting in that. On days I cant get him on his tummy I give him 15 min in the chair and he is totaly content.

Montana - posted on 06/21/2010

I worked my kids up to longer time on their tummy by letting them lay there as long as they were happy. Then I picked them up for a little bit and tried again till they got mad. I did this till they got used to "tummy time" and would lay there with no problem for a half hour or so. However this may not work for everyone. My kids also liked it when I lay on the floor in front of them so they can see me. This helped them keep their head up. Hope this helps you.

Dianne - posted on 06/19/2010

my bub is the same, i put him on his tummy on his change table facing out and sit in a chair in front of him and talk/amuse him,this gets me a little bit more time on his tummy each time, i also do some tummy time on his play mat and have found that using the changetable has helped get him to have a bit longer on the mat as well

Briana - posted on 06/19/2010

My son was like that. What helped him was putting a rolled up blanket under his chest (or a boppy pillow, they also sell tummy time pillows with toys attached at WalMart and Target) and then putting his music on. He has been doing tummy time for over a month now and still doesn't like to be down there for too long. But his back is really strong and he holds his head up really well while he's down there.

Becky - posted on 06/19/2010

def. keep it up! a boppy pillow helps...just lay baby on tummy and keep chest elevated using pillow..that way baby can still practice lifting head and using arms....
however, def. do tummy time normal way too..regardless of baby not liking it..i work at a early childhood dev't center as the lead infant teacher, we place all of our babies on their tummies 10 minutes at a time about 7 times a day for tummy time..some HATE it and scream the whole time..but eventually...months down the road (for some), they will start to not cry as much ....

Roslyn - posted on 06/19/2010

I've put my bubs down on the floor with a rolled up towel under their chests to help elevate them. This way they are still able to strengthen their necks by holding their head in the air! They do still crack it after a couple of minutes, however I'm hoping they will soon become more comfortable!

Angie - posted on 06/19/2010

Just keep it up. My 1st was like this. He had almost no tummy time because he would start screaming after about 30 seconds. I finally put him on his tummy in his Boppy Pillow. It elevated him enough to see more then just the floor or blanket. Also if you can lay on your back with him on your tummy facing you, that counts as tummy time too.