My 3 1/2 month old HATES tummy time. Any tips?

Jennifer - posted on 11/14/2008

I would lay down opposite my son and look him in the eyes while chatting encouragingly. Sometimes I would dangle toys in front to attract his attention, but he did not like tummy time either. I limited it to until his started to really put up a fuss and tried a few times a day. He did like it better on one of our tummies. Now that he can roll onto his stomach and keep his head up while reaching for toys, he can't get enough tummy time!

Amy - posted on 11/14/2008

Don't push it- tummy time was not something I even heard about when my kids were infants, and they are now 5 and 12 and managed to do fine without any forced "tummy time." Unless there is a medical reason that your child needs it, consider that she will be rolling over and doing tummy time on her own in a couple of months, so it's probably not something to stress over.

Jennifer - posted on 11/14/2008

My son, as well, hated it! We would encourage it, but not force it! He has never really like to do tummy time even now! but since he has started crawling and trying to pull up, he is strong in the arms and neck! Give it time!!

Katie - posted on 11/12/2008

Hi there, my son is in this club as well, and most times this comes from frustration on the part of the child, what I did was put my son on his tummy for as long as he was comfortable then we would go to another position. Later in the day try again, over time your baby will get better, and I have never heard someone stand up and say "I am not the person I could have been b/c I didnt have enough tummy time"... lol hang in there. :)

Tanya - posted on 11/12/2008

I think every baby hates tummy time. I agree with the laying on your tummy or your husbands, or try putting your baby on your lap and tap it's bum or tickle it's back or kinda bounce your knees. Or just put your baby down for a few minutes 10 times a day. (until the baby starts crying) they only need a few minutes at a time. Just keep trying it lots throughout the day. My 6 month old still hates it, I can't keep her on her tummy now that she rolls over.

Shannon - posted on 11/12/2008

My now 7 month old hated tummy-time until a month ago. We tried EVERYTHING. He wouldn't lay on his tummy for more than a couple of minutes without screaming or spitting up. I think it had something to do with his reflux which he has grown out of. I was worried not spending much time on his belly would make him delayed in rolling over but now he is rolling everywhere. He rolls from room to room even. One thing a friend of mine suggested to me was to buy one of those large air-filled balls you can find at the grocery store and let your baby roll on it. Hope this helps!

Ashley - posted on 11/12/2008

Three kids later, they will not hate you for making them cry let them have tummy time walk away so they can't see you and wait a few min. then watch what will happen they will give up and start enjoying it!! They know you will turn them over they are great manipulaters!!

Jennifer - posted on 11/12/2008

MY DAUGHTER HATED IT ALSO,.,

TILL I PROPPED HER ON THE BOPPY, ON HER TUMMY IN FRONT OF A MIRROR!

THAT ENDED THE CRYING AND CURIOSITY BEGAN

NOW SHE ROLLS OVER TO HER STOMACH AND STAYS THERE.. LOOKING AROUND

Sara - posted on 11/12/2008

My son hated it as well, the doct said that most kids do not like it. I just had him do it for a couple minutes at a time, just enought to work new muslces. If I would have seen the raised and swiveling mats I would have gotten one, check out the first years tummy time flyer. Tummy time is important for stregnth and a step to rolling. This strength also helps to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Heather - posted on 11/12/2008

My son hated tummy time at first and would cry after just a few minutes. Laying him on his back then rolling him over helped him not to cry right away. Also, it helped to distract him for a while when I or my husband lay down too so we could look him in the eye. He liked the interaction. And now at 5 months he is much happier about it because he can do more, rolling over and working on getting ready to crawl.

Risha - posted on 11/12/2008

My daughter hated tummy time initially as well. I would put her down on her tummy, propped up on a small pillow on an activity mat and just let her go for as long as she would before starting fuss. Then once she was able to roll over, she would roll herself onto her tummy, but she still didn't like it and would fuss until someone flipped her back over! It was the best day when she learned to roll herself back onto her back!



That being said, my advice is just to give it time and keep trying it until she tolerates it better. It may be that she won't fully enjoy it until she has the freedom of movement like my daughter.

Laura - posted on 11/12/2008

I think proping them up with a rolled up towel definatley helps also when carrying them around the house, to and from thier bed or to thier change table just carry them on thier tummy like they are flying. The minute or 2 here or there really helps them stregthen up and before you know it they are strong enough to lye on thier tummy for alot longer without getting cranky :)

Maria - posted on 11/12/2008

my son did not like tummy time at all u had no interest in crawling but i would lay him on his tummy and try to keep him happy he stay for a min. but that was good enough for him i guess but he did skip crawling and went straight to walking. so every child is different and like different things but good luck

Robin - posted on 11/12/2008

My little guy is 5 1/2 months and hated tummy time from the start. But now that he's learned to roll over and end up on his tummy on his own he's getting used to it and doesn't mind so much. He's actually starting to like it since he realized he can reach for toys that way! Give your little one time...s/he will get used to it!

Britney - posted on 11/12/2008

try a boppy my son loves his....it elevates him from the ground and if he wants to rest his head for a minute he can still look around wil resting on a soft pillow

Jessica - posted on 11/12/2008

My son did better when he used a bolster. Roll up a towel or use a boppy pillow under her arms so her face isn't on the floor.

Heather - posted on 11/12/2008

Both of my kids hated tummy time so I just didn't make them do it. I didn't see any point in it. They both thrived and grew very well and in their own time did the tummy time deal. I look at it this way how much would you like to sit on your tummy with not much to look at? To me it would be very boring. I just didn't push it. Like I said they thrived and they have very normal heads and are both very active. It's okay, don't worry about it too much.

Karen - posted on 11/12/2008

Roll her over to her tummy from her back rather than putting her down on her belly at first and give her something interesting to look at while she's there (and use this item to lure her as you roll her over). At this age, an O-ball would probably be interesting for her to look at while she's there.

Megan - posted on 11/12/2008

My four month old hates it too but I find the laying on my chest thing works really good...she actually finds it quite entertaining.

LESLIE - posted on 11/12/2008

the best piece of advice i can give ya is let her go on your tummy, my kids were just bored and they need that interaction with someone....try that or lay with baby and keep her happy....babies never get bored of seeing mommies face.

Shelly - posted on 11/12/2008

try starting with tummy time on your or your husband's chest.... they don't feel so "put" there, and can pay attention to you... while getting used to the position... make the position something they don't think about...... make something distract them from it ... something to focus on... play with etc. good luck

Correne - posted on 11/12/2008

My three month old hates it too. Within two minutes she is crying. I've read a few articles at babycenter.com