Tummy Time Troubles

Cori - posted on 11/02/2009

tummy time didn't work for us for either child. My ped said "tummy time is not a milestone, and milestones are just a guildline anyway." ha! I was at ease with every development. Sitting up, even propped, is wonderful for development. he can see everything much better from that perspective anyway, and may have more incentive to try other developmental milestones if he's not frustrated.

Gayle - posted on 11/02/2009

I wouldn't worry too much that your baby doesn't like tummy time. My son who is now 16months absolutely hated being on his tummy, I stopped trying, it only stresses them and you, and he has developed perfectly fine. There is too much emphasis on our babies to be at the stages that everyone thinks they should be, your baby will develop at the rate that they want to, not what text books say they should be

Sherry - posted on 11/02/2009

i'm in Early Childhood Education and they no longer recommend tummy time anymore. so what i would do is lay him on his back pick up a toy he may like show it him and place it beside him but make sure he sees you do this and he may try to roll over to reach for it keep at this for a bit and when he rolls over he will be on his tummy and evenually crawl as well. i hope this advice helps.

Brandie - posted on 11/01/2009

My grandmother told me I always hated to be on my tummy!!! I learned to walk before I crawled. I was walking at 9 months and was over a year old before I ever tried to crawl. I rolled everywhere before I learned to walk. To this day I don't like to lay on my tummy and I am 30.....something, will leave it with that...LOL Please don't worry, all babies are different and do this at a different pace and time. All 3 of my kids were different with some things!!! Just Love him and he will be fine!!! :)

Stephanie - posted on 11/01/2009

My son did the exact same thing! I was concerned he wouldn't be as strong as all the other babies because he hated being on his tummy! Just keep doing what he likes and trying the tummy time. He will let you know when he is ready. My son didn't have any of the difficulties I thought he might have and in fact started crawling around 6 months and walking at 10. Enjoy watching his developments, it goes so fast!!

Jennifer - posted on 11/01/2009

My little girl had the same problem. I think she just wanted to crawl so bad and was frusterated (obviously at two months they can not crawl, but she didn't realize that). My doctor said to continue to do tummy time but only a few minutes of it. Right now she an incredibly fast crawler and she's almost walking.

Debra - posted on 11/01/2009

Hi Erica I think you're worrying far too much....My little man hated tummy time at that age, he is 4 months old now & is just fine with it, he also has very strong arms. Tummy time is not as important as some people make it out to be, it probably won't make a difference to him developmentally.

Erin - posted on 10/31/2009

I remember when my son learned to roll over by himself. That was always the end of tummy time! Everytime I tried putting him down for tummy time he'd roll over & wouldn't play my games! Little monkeys!

Lauren - posted on 10/31/2009

I am having the same problem with my 3 month old son. His doctor said that eventually when he can roll over by himself, he will soon realize that he can get around alot quicker if he crawls. I do tummy time for about 15 mins 3 times a day and he hated it at first but now since he knows the schedule kinda he has started working more and using those muscles. Good luck!!!

Kristina - posted on 10/31/2009

Just keep trying tummy time so that he gets some practice. Mats with toys sometime help, but if he always hates it, don't worry! My son is 3 years old now and when he was littled he HATED tummy time, and he ended up developing pretty quickly. By 12 months he could not only walk, but stop and bend over to pick something up!! The frustration can be good, it will motivate him to try to push up and roll over. But it's also ok to give yourself permission to end tummy time and pick him up when he is too sad or frustrated! :)

Sara - posted on 10/31/2009

My daughter didn't like tummy time either so instead of putting her on the floor for tummy time I would lay down with her on my chest and that seem to work, eventually you can graduate to the floor.

Brittany - posted on 10/31/2009

my baby had the same issue but hers was from colic and rather than crawling or even rolling over she just started sitting up. She six months

Aniesha - posted on 10/31/2009

I wouldn't stress about it, my son hated tummy time as well. He was quite late crawling (nearly 9 months) but he was fine otherwise & has just started standing by himself (10 months). He only started to like being on his tummy when he could roll by himself & control how long he laid on his tummy which was quite late, about 6/7 months I think.

Donna - posted on 10/31/2009

I am now a grandmother, but my son liked to be on his tummy of my knees and gently bounced. My might check if his tummy is tender to the touch while on his back. If he is you might want to mention this at his next dr.'s visit.
granee with yarn

Patrice - posted on 10/31/2009

My grandson was exactly the same. He didn't want to be on his tummy at all. He's now 14 months old, walking and developmentally just fine. When he started to crawl, he began by rolling from place to place.

Tiffany - posted on 10/31/2009

My boys were both the same. Didn't like tummy time. They are both happy healthy and are developing and reaching milestones on time. Just be careful that baby doesn't lay in the same position because it could cause a flat spot on the head. My oldest has a flat spot but it is not very noticeable anymore and he is 3 just rotate baby as often as you can maybe a swing or propped up with you holding him. DON'T WORRY. He will be fine :-)

Jo - posted on 10/31/2009

my son hated tummy time too but i don't think it really matters in the end coz he's almost walking now. i have a friend who never did tummy time with her boy either and he's fine too :-) the most tummy time mine had was laying on my chest/tummy when i was laying down.

Lisa - posted on 10/30/2009

u could try laying him on his tummy on ur lap 2 start with then once he gets through that then slowly transfer 2 the floor thats i did with my little bloke

Diana - posted on 10/30/2009

I don't think you should worry... my son who is now 21 months also hated tummy time when he was younger. He began crawling at around 6 months. What i would suggest to kind of ease him through it is putting him on your chest while you're reclined, that way he feels the comfort of mommy but also works on his neck strength... Good luck!!

Misti - posted on 10/30/2009

I had the same problem with my daughter. Her Dr. told me to put her on her tummy on the edge of my bed and to get down on my knees so I was looking her in the face at her level. I tried it a few times and it extended the time before she cried by a little bit, but didn't fix the problem. I just kept trying every now and then. Eventually, once she started to roll over, she became ok with it. Every baby is different so I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep trying and I'm sure once he can move a little by himself, he will learn to like it. I know it's hard as a mommy because you want him to learn everything right on schedule, but sometimes they just need a little longer and that's ok. :0) Try the bed trick, maybe it will work for you. And if you really start to worry, talk to his Dr. I'm sure he will learn to like it soon though. Hope this helps! Good luck!! :0)

Erin - posted on 10/30/2009

My 3 yr old never dug tummy time either! Cried like crazy because his head was always in the real high, 90%, while the rest of him was in the lower 15. He didn't crawl either, would cruise around furniture around 9mos? started walking @ 14 mos. I've heard 1st children can sometimes be later w/those milestones unless they are around other kids because they will mimic them... I would try to get your little one on the tummy when you can, but wouldn't concern myself with him crawling or not. It is not a necessity to walking and can sometimes delay walking because they get around well enough w/out being on foot.

Connie - posted on 10/30/2009

I'm Connie by the way. LOL

Simone - posted on 10/30/2009

i had the same problem but from when she was born till 5 months, she would just scream and scream i thought the same that it would effect her strenght but she started fully crawling and 6 and half months, which took me by supprise since she didnt have tummy time. he will get there lol trust me. now all my girl does is crawl all throught the house she will be 7 months in a week

Connie - posted on 10/30/2009

Dont worry Erica my son Jack was the same and i hardly ever put him down on his tummy. Now he's crawling and just about to start walking! and he's only 9 mths! So dont worry ok