Baby Hates Tummy Time!

Don't worry. My son is almost 8 months and has not rolled over yet. And he rarely likes tummy time. He lasts a few minutes when we put him in front of a mirror and has toys to reach for. But that doesn't always work. He sits great and can stand holding his crib rail for almost a minute. He's also pushing 20 pounds so I think that may not be helping.

I wouldn't worry about this. He might have gas or something else that makes it very uncomfortable to be on his tummy. My son didn't roll over until he was 5.5 months old and he liked to be on his tummy. Kids develop so differently. I'd wouldn't get concerned about this until he's 6-7 months and not rolling over. :)

Time tables, smime mables! Children do things at their own pace. If I had to hear one more time how my niece did everything by 5 months, I would have screamed. My daughter HATED tummy time. She was getting a mis shaped head too so I felt even more pressure to get her to turn over and push up. 4 and half months...nothing. Imagine laying on your face and tummy and not having any strength to lift you head and arms...frustrating huh? What I would do to help her feel more comfortable was I would lay a taunt blanket over a boppy pillow with a sloped blanket under for belly support and proper up over it...arms hanging over. She would be more angled and it would get her a chance to have tummy time.

It's funny, as it turns out...my daughter skipped crawling almost all together and went straight to walking at 9 months. I guess crawling is good for their mental development and can help prevent dilexia (I have no idea if it's a fact or not...just one more fearful advice given to me by some random know it all person who thinks I am not doing a good enough job with my daughter)

Anyway, where was I? LOL.

Just follow your baby's lead. If 30 seconds is all he can stand...do 30 seconds. Lay him on your tummy. Lay him on your shins to make him fly. Lay opposite him and look at him on your tummy. He'll be up and mobile in no time. Trust your gut. You've got this. Doctors go by a standard and have to encourage you to keep them moving forward. And that's good. Others...well...they may mean well but for some reason no one get's that it isn't a race to see who's kid does what first. Silliness I say.

Good luck.

Hi B.,

When I was teaching my twins to like tummy time, they too hated it. But, my hubby and I persisted. We had to and knew they would be better for it. At most, we put them on their tummies for no more than 2 min at a time 3 times a week. We did this from ages 5months to 6months. Then, they began rolling over at 6.5 months and crawling at 7-7.5 months.

They were preemies too. Their development was not always on target, but today, they walk like they have been walking forever.

Just do not give up. Do you have a toy he can play on to amuse him so he will want to be on his tummy? There are many toys to encourgage tummy time.

Here is a link to development toys: http://store.babycenter.com/category/toys/gyms+-+playmats.do

M.

B.-

My 8 month old son used to HATE tummy time. After he was a little over 5 months he started tolerating it much better.
Each baby develops at different times.
Izeah didnt roll over till close to 6 months and didnt sit up on his own till about a month ago. He now likes tummy time and is starting to figure out how to crawl. He puts his arms out and pushes himself up and gets his legs in and pushes and goes backwards! LOL
I dont think you have anything to worry about. My almost 6 year old was late in development too he didnt walk to 14 months!!!
If i were you i wouldnt worry too much.

M.

Hi! My son also HATES tummy time. He is 4 months old and has rolled from back to tummy, but everytime we do tummy time he lasts no longer than 2 minutes. After a minute or so he throws his head down in defeat and acts like I am out to make him miserable. I just try to do tummy time as often as possible so the minutes add up. Also he lasts longer when I put his chest on the boppy(nursing pillow) and lay down with him while dangling a toy and being obscenely loud with encouragement. Good luck!

Hi B.,

My first advice is go with your gut and do not freak out! My daughter started stuttering at the age of two and I was ok with it until everybody else had an opinion. Then I was convinced that she would studder the rest of her life.

If you are really concerned, get a hold of early intervention. This is a program that each state offers for developmental issues between the ages of birth and 3. The longer you wait, the more opinions you will get and the worrying only gets worse. If your child had a problem with his heart, you wouldn't take him to a foot specialist. Go to the experts in thier fields. Thats why I woluld recommend early intervention. Maybe all you need is a simple evaluation and everything will be fine. I know alot of babies that do not like tummy time. As for rolling......they will do it when they are ready. Its not important at what age they walk or crawl. Some babies never learn to crawl but just go straight to walking. Maybe your child is so advanced that what he does and doesn't do may be persived as abnormal. He already has a personality and can express like and dislikes. I think you have a pretty smart guy on your hands. Developemntal milestones do not happen for everybody at the same time. Again, your pediatrician may be educated in typical devlopmental stages but not an expert. That is where early intervention comes in.

Good luck!

H. b.

Hi B.. I do agree with your pediatrician. I think that even though he doesn't like the tummy time, it is vital to his development. I would try laying down on your stomach in front of him so he has to lift his head to see your smiling face. Put toys 'just' out of reach of him. Sing songs. You might even have to leave him on the floor, but in the same room so he knows you are still there, and let him work out his frustrations a few times.

Also, as far as arms strength...I always pushed my kids up on their hands (supporting them) and then let them go slowly so they could develop the 'idea'. Of course, they flopped back down, but not for long. I also would have them pull themselves, while on their backs.

It's not like he won't develop those skills eventually (we hope), but if he does have a delayed disability, this is when they are looking for milestones to see if something will need to be done in the future. You do want the best for your baby, so watching them struggle is just part of the learning process. It is hard to watch, but is necessary at times.

Oh, good luck and I hope things get better for you quickly.

B.,
I have a son who will be 1 soon. We had the same situation. He really didn't like being on his tummy. What I did was I would put his comforter down that had different animals and textures on it and then put some toys around him. I then would get on the floor on my tummy facing him and talk to him. I would do this for a few minutes and then give him a break. I would play with the toys and get involved. My son learns from examples. He finally just did it when it was right for him. ALL BABIES ARE DIFFERENT and I have found that when he is ready to do it he will. I remember everyone saying oh is he doing this yet and I would get so worried but then I learned he will do it when its right for him. I do go to websites that say what they should be doing at what age but I don't get upset about it anymore since I realized this doesn't always pertain to every baby. I know how frustrating it can be but just do what you in your heart feel is right. I hope this helps and good luck. Also I my friends had luck with the boopy pillow but I never really used it. Hang in there, before you know it he will be doing it. :)

You are not the only one! My daughter is almost 5 months old, and she absolutely detests being on her tummy! I did question the pediatrician at her 4 month check up, and he said not to worry. If she doesn't like to be on her tummy, then she doesn't have to be on her tummy! (Plus, he mentioned SIDS, and he was actually glad she doesn't like to be on her tummy because of that) All babies are different. And they all grow and develop at their own pace. The milestones that are set, such as sitting up at 5 months, crawling at 6 months, etc., are just guidelines. I am not worried about my daughter's lack of tummy time... she is developing normally in all other aspects. Instead of tummy time... what I do is hold my daughter on my chest and then lean back. She holds up her head well, she has a good view of her surroundings, and she does use her arms to hold herself up. Just don't think there is anything wrong with your child because he doesn't like tummy time, as long as he is developing normally in all other aspects, don't worry so much. If you are REALLY worried or unsure, seek another pediatricians advice.

I have to reiterate what the rest of mommies are saying...at least the ones I agree with lol....my not so little guy is quite big for his age and his head...well need I say more? I felt sorry for him trying to pick it up!!!! He disliked being on his tummy and I decided that since all of the other "rules" of child raising have changed since my daughter was born 16 years ago, that I would follow my intuition....I did the laying on my chest, shins, lap, pillows. I even looked for one of those fancy "tummy mats" .....Thank God I didn't waste my money. I did let him nap on his tummy with me in the same room and when he would wake up I would take my time going to get him. He would lift his head more and more when he was able ( to look for me) He is a bit stubborn so I found that when he thought it was his idea he did much better...heehee
He didn't roll until 7 months and crawled at 9 mo. Believe you me, staying put is wonderful. He is 10 months old now and is pulling himself up and walking with assistance(furniture) and although fun, it is exausting!!!Good luck..... G.
Sorry for the book! Hope it helps

My son hated tummy time too - he would start screaming after a few seconds or so. But I just kept putting him on his tummy, trying to extend the amount of time each time. He never really liked it but he became more accepting of it. Also try laying on the floor/bed and putting him tummy to tummy with you for some playtime. Or put him on his tummy on the couch and get down so your at eye level with him - that helped with my son sometimes. And then there's the play mats - if you don't have one already, you might consider getting one that encourages play on the tummy.

I know how Luke feels... when a personal trainer says "just 10 more, you can do it!" Luke feels uncomfortable using muscles that are new for him and therefore weak. But the time on his tummy builds muscles for his physical development.