Tummy Time

Melanie - posted on 03/19/2009

I was so happy when my Gian turned on his tummy all by himself just a few days ago at 3 mos 3 weeks. It seems like he wants the turning over but gets very frustrated on what he should do next , when he is on his tummy.

What I do is put him on his tummy & when he starts being fussy, I carry him while I lie myself with my knees on my chest and put him (on his tummy) over my bended knees and we play....fly time.

I sway my legs a little to the left and to the right, back & front and my Gian seems to enjoy "the flight".

I read this activity mom and baby can do at babycenter.com . Perhaps you can try it too :-)

Elle - posted on 03/19/2009

Same problem here with my son, funny because I was coming on here to see if anyone else had the same problem. Thank god we are not alone! My dad gave him a "surfboard" playmat for Christmas and even with being propped up like that he still hates tummy time. I have tried it longer and longer each time, but still he refuses to roll over onto his back from tummy. He has been rolling over ALMOST onto his tummy from his back, but with a little help from me he rolls to his tummy....only to then start wailing lol. We go to the doc on Friday for his 4 month checkup, so I will report here if she gives me any tips!

Kylie - posted on 03/18/2009

He tolerates the play mat for about a minute now, but the best I've done is on his tummy. I'm not going to force it, but I'm going to keep doing it. ;)

Melanie - posted on 03/18/2009

My Little Girl has exactly the same problem hates Tummy Time we try it at least 5 Times a Day in 2 Minute Blocks we have found that putting her snake toy underneath her arms kind of helps and like your little one she has a flat spot on he head and she favours one side shes getting better slowly with both her head and tummy time and I have to agree all kids develop at different times my little girl is coming up 4 Months she looks like she is only 2 months and I have been told acts like a 2 Month old baby because she was 5 weeks prem don't stress love thats why the man invented the Internet and this Fabulous Website for us Mums to ask other Mums who are in no doubt having exactly the same problems and we are all here to help each other xoxoxoxo

Harmony - posted on 03/16/2009

My health nurse told me whenever he's awake he should be on his tummy, but with the screaming hatered my boy has for it, I simply dont bother. He is now ( 4 months, 2 weeks) okay on his tum for about 5 mins at a time.

I am SO tired of the assumption that all babies develop the same. They really dont. Trust your instinct, if your little one is unhappy, try again in a few days. It seems to me that your sanity may be worth more sometimes.

Kylie - posted on 03/15/2009

My lil' man won't take a bink. I try giving it to him and he spits it out. Colin LOVES to be on his back, too, and he's scootching like the dickens in his crib at night, so I have a feeling I'm going to wake up one morning with a baby on his belly. I don't go to the pediatrician until the 10th of April.

Thank you for all of your advice ladies. I'm going to keep trying as much as I can. I know of other babies who hated it and they're walking. I think my nephew liked it and he never crawled, but did the army scootch and went straight to walking. He's now 7 and bright as can be.

Erin - posted on 03/15/2009

I feel you! My little girl HATES tummy time! I know this defeats the purpose, but i started giving her pacifier when she starts wailing (which is after 30 seconds of tummy time!!) I try and do it 4-5 times a day for 2-5 minutes. I have noticed a small difference. She will tolerate being on her belly now (for a few minutes). She loves being on her back and actually just rolled over from back to belly this past week! I try nott to worry about tummy time and just continue alittle at a time. Don't stress. Talk with your pediatrician. We go tomorrow! Good luck.!!!

Alicia - posted on 03/14/2009

My son HATES tummy time, too. We just put him on his tummy several times a day until he really starts to get angry. We will let him fuss for a while before picking him up. Sometimes he will last for a little while longer than others, but usually it will be about 2-3 minutes and he is 4 months old. I am not too worried about it. He will develop as he is ready and all that matters is that we give him that opportunity to work it out.

Kylie - posted on 03/14/2009

I have a playmat that I tried to prop him up on, and that doesn't work. I tried using the boppy, and he fusses. The only way he seems to do it at all is if I'm sitting on the couch and he'll push off and lift his head that way. He also does it if I'm  holding him against my tummy when I'm standing (I've read that's 'technically' considered tummy time). I'm doing it some and try to break it up. I want him to get some, because I don't want his head to become so flat he needs a helmet, and I want him to develop motor skills.

He's also scootching in his crib now, so I know one morning, I'll find him in his crib on his belly. LOL

Danielle - posted on 03/14/2009

Try putting a rolled blanket, or even better a neck pillow under his arms. I did that with my twins and both of them responded well.

Jessie - posted on 03/13/2009

My daughter isn't a big fan of tummy time, she only lasts a minute or two. I try to do it in the morning when she is happy and not tired. If we do it then she tolerates it better and has slowly been getting better at it. If I catch her on a good day she will even look at or play with some of her toys for a minute. It took a while though. Ignore all the conflicting advice and just let your son set the pace.

Sadie - posted on 03/13/2009

I hear that most hate it.... mine sure does. The one way I can get my little guy to deal with it for at least a few mins is I started using a bean bag like small pillow and set it under his head and arms, kinda prop him up so its less work for him. Once he got a bit used to that I started laying him flat for a bit longer.

Either way, don't stress!! If he hates it and cries just limited it to a bit a day...totally not worth the stress if you ask me!

Tracy - posted on 03/11/2009

My daughter who is now 19 months was the same way with tummy time. She screamed when we put her on her tummy. When she was in daycare they mentioned it to me too. I did not stress about it. When I was in a really good mood I would keep trying it, but if she started screaming would just turn her over or pick her up. For the lack of tummy time she had she is developing just fine and actually farther along in gross motor than other children her age now. My son who is 3 months is starting the screaming every time he is put on his tummy, and I am doing the same thing as I did with my daughter.