problems with tummy time

Rachael Mariy - posted on 10/20/2012

I have a three month old and he cries the whole time. This worries me a little

Cathy - posted on 01/31/2009

I do the Boppy thing as well. My daughter tolerates tummy time a little better with one.I have the Lamaze Ladybug turn around positioner and mat with different types of tactile sections. She does enjoy spinning around on that. I received it as a gift. I have to tell you all I'm so relieved about my baby not being the only infant who hates tummy time!

Jennifer - posted on 01/30/2009

Hi there!
You can try stretching her arm out over her head, then placing a rolled up towel or blanket underneath her arms to prop her up. I used to do this all the time. It helps take pressure off having to hold themselves, and still gives them enough space to practive lifting their head.
Also, I believe you can buy tummy time mats with the same feature that also have toys attached to them.

Arika - posted on 01/30/2009

my daughter hated tummy time and its still not her fav. The only way I can get her to cooperate is to put her crib mattress on the floor and lay down there with her. It really helped me to take her fav toy and put it infront of her forcing her to lift her head to look at it. When I started doing that within a week she was laying on her fore arms to lift her head up farther.

Andrea - posted on 01/28/2009

Try lying with her on your chest to get her used to it, and keep putting her down even if only for a few minutes she will get used to it.

Renee - posted on 01/25/2009

We also struggle with tummy time. We have bought a special mat that has a little roll to pop under her arms/chest, it has toys and bright colors, it has things that float around in a pocket that is filled with water and still she just cries hysterically and holds her breath (blue is not a good color on a 3 month old!!).

We've tried the tummy-time-on-Mum's-tummy too, she just uses the time to bury her face in my cleavage/stomach trying to latch on!! We're going to have a development check up this week so it is going to be the number one topic on my "To Discuss" agenda.

I'm very relieved to know that we aren't the only ones struggling with this!

Tegan - posted on 01/24/2009

We made my son a "tummy time" pillow. It has three ribbons sewn into it with links attached to hook toys onto. For whatever reason, he's so enamored by the toys being hooked to it, he forgets its tummy time for a while. I used to put him on my Boppy but it didn't have the same effect. I also made him a blanket that has a lot of bright colors to give him something to look at during tummy time. He seems to really like it so we use the same things every day but switch out his toys.

His changing table is in our bathroom so I do tummy time on it while I dry my hair in the mornings. The walls are painted red (its his favorite room of the house LOL) so he makes an effort to look up at the walls. This is the easiest place to do tummy time. I have no idea why though. But he obviously can't roll over on it so ...

Melissa - posted on 01/23/2009

Well said Christine, it's very important to the progression of rolling over and crawling. According to many doctors, it's important for babies to go thru the progression of rolling over and crawling BEFORE walking. It's great to hear so many of you who had given up willing to try again, your baby is depending on you to help them develop the best they can. I too had trouble with my baby girl who is 3-1/2 months now. At her 2 month appointment our pediatrician asked about tummy time and I was embarrassed to tell her we hadn't been doing it because I didn't realize it was something we should already be doing. She wanted us to work up to 20 minutes a day...we're still only up to about 7-10 minutes most days, because it's hard to fit it in between naps and feeding :). My intention is to do it when we get up in the morning, and when she gets up from her naps. If she can do 6 minutes each time, we'd be golden. Once we began doing it regularly, she stopped being hysterical and after several weeks of being consistent, she is doing better. I use a moon-shaped pillow once she's been flat on her tummy for several minutes and let her finish off with that. She seems to work her legs a lot when on the pillow and arms when she's not. Good luck, it feels good to know that others struggle with this too.

Christine - posted on 01/23/2009

My daughter hated tummy-time from day one- the doc kept pushing, but I didn't.  Instead I propped her up against me, belly to belly and made faces, talked, sang, and just played with her.  I kept at it and kept at it.  She really grew fond of the closeness, and actually felt safe in that situation so in fact she started to get daring and was pushing off to roll onto my side (with me being so close to catch her).  Now she's just 3 days away from 3 months, and pushes her body up, rolls over both ways (back to belly, belly to back, and in both directions) and has a stable enough neck to look side to side without really wabbling, and she tolerates floor tummy time so much better now that she can roll over when she's finished... I hope this helps!  It's so important for them to gain their strength so they can eventually hold their weight to crawl!  Good luck!

Brittany - posted on 01/22/2009

my son is the exact same way. he fusses at the second hes placed on his tummy. ive been advised to place him in a bumbo chair so at least his neck muscles will get stronger than at a later date to re try tummy time to strenghthen his arms

Kim - posted on 01/22/2009

hiya.

my little man (3m) hates it too - so we make it fun. i lay on my back with my kness bent and put him on my shins. i fly him around, laugh and smile at him. gives me a good stomach work out too! just make sure you hold onto him so he doesnt fall off. after a few minutes he cracks it - but least its something!

the other thing we try is putting a rolled up towel under his arms (on the floor) for a lttle extra support.

Good luck!

Meredith - posted on 01/19/2009

Wow this seems to be a popular issue. I too have just given up on tummy time. My son Tyler literally begins to hyperventilate when he is put onto his stomach. I normally allow him to cry some, but he when he can't breathe I move him onto his back. For some reason recently he has not enjoyed being on his back either. Regardless of all of this he is still pretty strong. He holds his head up and kicks like crazy, but his arm strength is what I am worried about. I will try these suggestions to see if any work.

Joann - posted on 01/19/2009

Have you read anything in relation to emmi Pikler or Magda Gerber..... they have some interesting things to say about tummy time. Just a thought.

there are two def thoughts on tummy time....those that support and those that dont.

Shannon - posted on 01/15/2009

Have you tried putting her on her tummy on your chest? My son isn't a huge fan of tummy time either but I've found he'll tolerate this position for a few minutes each day. You can also try propping her up on your nursing pillow (if you have one) that way her face isn't so close to the ground and she can see more.

Melissa - posted on 01/15/2009

I am having the same issue with my twins. i have a had a little success with laying them on their tummy on me while I lay on my back on the floor. They want to see my face so will pick head up a bit to look. Try it out. its the only way I can get them a little tummy time.

Jen - posted on 01/15/2009

I'm in the exact same boat as you guys with my 3 mth old daughter.  I had actually given up on it, but after ready what Mandy wrote, I think I'll try again.  I didn't realize it was so important, so we will perservere!  One more thing for me to worry about....LOL.  Good luck everyone!!!!!

Blair - posted on 01/15/2009

Same exact problem. My boy hates hates hates tummy time. I'm goint to try the towel thing under his pits though. One thing we DO enjoy though is "flying", just hold him face down over me. He holds his head up while we do that, but it does nothing for his arms Im afraid.

Jenna - posted on 01/14/2009

I have the same problem and I'm getting concerned about my lil guys upper body development. He used to love being on his tummy as a newborn, and hated being on his back. Now it seems to have changed. He can pretty much stand almost unassisted and walks holding a finger in each hand for balance,bearing his own weight. He is also just over 3 months. He can sit up almost unassisted but often pancakes forward. His head control is very advanced it seems, and always has been. But I'm concerned as the act of laying on their tummies helps stretch out the leg muscles so that the legs will straighten. His legs still are a bit drawn up. Also his upper body strength seems lacking in comparaison to his lower strength. He won't try to push up with his arms he lays there and gets frustrated and cries. All the lil babies from my prenatal class(within a month older or younger than my son) are rolling over already from their fronts to backs! I'm interested for any other advice as well. I've already tried everything listed already!

I'm glad that I'm not alone!

Michelle - posted on 01/14/2009

I am the same as you a first time mum with a 3 month old daughter who hates tummy time. we dont do it any more. during the night she sleeps on her tummy so during the night she has her tummy time, it does not stress her and i find her in a completly different position to when i put her down for the night. I also sit her up with support to help strenghten her neck and back muscles as well as putting her in one of those jolly jumper things that helps to.

Megan - posted on 01/14/2009

I have a 3 month old as well and he used to hate tummy time...he'd cry the whole time so he'd only get a few minutes a day because I couldn't stand it.  I found that if I put a boppy under him (with his arms over the top so  that his neck is hanging over the edge), he can see what's going on around him instead of staring at the ground.  He really likes it if I put a mirror in front of him because he can see his own head moving around.  He actually likes his tummy time now.

Wow, that just sounded like an informercial :)

Hope it works for you. Good luck

Katherine - posted on 01/14/2009

At my daughter's 2 month check up, my pediatrician was concerned about her upper body strength and told us to put her on her tummy 10 times a day (!!!). She hates it too, so we try to put her down just until she fusses and then we turn her over. We never actually get 10 times in a day, but with the frequent but short tummy time sessions, she's much stronger. She can lift her head much better. I also get down on the floor and position my face so that she can see it when she lifts her head up.

Mandy - posted on 01/14/2009

I am a physiotherapist with an interest in pediatrics, and I can tell you one of the tricks we use to help babies with tummy time (it is very important developmentally!).  If you can't get your little one to go on her tummy on the floor, bed, etc., try on your chest!  Babies love to be close to mommy and you can start the process gradually if they hate it.  Start by laying her on your chest when you are propped up on an incline on the couch.  This will make it easier for her to lift her head because she doesn't have to work as hard against gravity.  Then, gradually lower your incline over the course of a week or two until you are lying flat and she is on her tummy on your tummy.  Then gradually make the progression to a firmer surface, such as the floor.  Babies will have an easier time on the floor rather than the bed or couch because the firm surface gives them support.  The first time you try on the floor, roll up a small hand towel and prop it up under her armpits with her arms over it.  This will help her hold her head up.  If a baby has a weak neck and can't hold it up well yet, they will be scared on their tummy.  The towel roll makes it much easier for them to lift the head.  Then work very hard at distraction!  Rattles, sing a song, etc.  Work at it every day, but just start with a few minutes at a time!  It will take time, but eventually you will see nice progress!  Gradually wean out the towel roll as well, and you will have lovely tummy time. ;)  Hope this helps!

Kayla - posted on 01/14/2009

My daughter hates being on her belly as well. I to am worried that she needs the tummy time more so that she learn better to lift her self. She can lift her head and that is all. She moves it a little bit, just enough to change her head position. She never tries to lift her self up or turn her head..but she does try that.

But, when she sits up she can move her head anyway she wants to. She can hold it up by herself also...for quite sometime to without being tired I mean.

I am curious as to if they really need tummy time. She sits on her bobby, on her stomach, and doesn't seem to mind that much. but she is elavated to where she can see the entire room. As far as she can turn her head anyway, is this considered tummy time?

I need the same advice so I hope someone else helps.