Help with Rolling Over

Hi S.,
My son hated tummy time, but now he's grown to love it. After about 20 minutes or so, he flips himself over, or he screams until we do it for him. Before it was less then 3 minutes and he would scream.
We have a bright colorful mat, along with his toys around so he can look and reach for them while on his stomach. Also we found a mirror toy (fisher P.) that sits on his mat - he can look at himself while hes on his stomach. It has a teether and some other toys attached and when he hits/moves it, it lights up and makes noise. I think the mirrored toy is what did the trick.
Good luck!

I also had the same problem with my son when he was that age. It really is just a matter of time. Just keep giving her the tummy time every day, but don't let her get too upset. Stay with her and try to play with her each time. I went as far as to buy all sorts of play mats for tummy time. I don't know if they worked, but in time he really liked being on his belly. In fact thats how he crawls, he drags himslef on his tummy. My son hated to be on his tummy so much when he was smaller he rolled from belly to back at two months old. It took 'till he was about 4 months to roll the other way. In time she'll like it with no problems. Then before you know it she'll be on the move. Hope this makes you feel better.
C.

We had the exact same problem, and unfortunately it was just a matter of time! I hated hearing my daughter cry, so I would often flip her back onto her back, but as her rolling skills got better, she would just flip herself right back to her tummy (and then start crying again!) It wasn't until she leared to roll both ways that it got better. My mom gave me some good advice that was really hard to accept, but eventually did the trick. She told me that the only way my daughter was going to learn to roll from her tummy to her back was through some frustration and that I needed to let her cry. I tried it and would actually lay on the floor talking to my daughter, patting her, telling her it would be ok, etc. After two or three hard days, it worked and she started rolling across the floor like a speed demon! She was so happy to be able to move! Hang in there - it will get better.

We had the same problem too. Our son is now 1 year old, and is a commando crawler (pulling himself along with his arms) and and a bum shuffler. I'm glad he's doing some form of crawling, as its meant to be better for their spacial awareness. He wouldn't have done that if I hadn't perservered with putting him on his tummy. When he was that age, and didn't like tummy time, I used to play with him on the bed. He quite likes a bit of 'rough' play, when you roll him back and forth, and make it a game. So when your daughter rolls onto her tummy, rolling her back and laughing, tickling her, nuzzling her body with your face etc - and just generally rolling her all around so its fun. Also, if there's an object that you've found your daughter really likes to reach for - maybe something she shouldn't always have - try placing her on her back, and putting the object up above her head - so she has to reach up and around to get it, which is how they turn onto their tummy. But, because she's turned on purpose, to get something she likes, maybe she'll think its more fun? Perhaps praise her achievements as well, really tell her what a good, big strong girl she is, in your best gushy voice. Good luck, and perservere - its worth it for their development!

Hi S.! My little guy is almost 5 1/2 months old as well, and he's starting rolling over too. He also hates tummy time (and when he rolls himself onto his tummy in his crib, cries really loud too!) He still hasn't figured out how to get back over on his own, but in the past week or so, he's gotten much better about being on his tummy. I've found that actually getting myself down on my tummy and just talking to him, playing with him, etc. when he is on his tummy, makes him much happier about being in that position. Now, he can also roll over pretty easily from the tummy to back, so it helps that he can get himself out of that position if he wants to. Not sure if this is helpful, but it seems to be working for me to get him to actually like being on his tummy! Good luck!

You could try propping a stuffed animal to keep her balanced.

I have to disagree with Dana and agree with the other moms-- every baby I know HATES tummy time, mine (6 months old) included. The only time he'll tolerate it is on a bed(supervised, of course). I guess he'll tolerate it because it is softer. Mine can roll both ways, but he still has trouble rolling from tummy to back and he HATES being on his tummy so he won't roll from his back to his tummy more than once a week (I guess it takes him that long to forget that he doesn't want to be on his tummy. Try some tummy time on a bed with you down at her eye level. They just have to get those arms a little stronger!

I know the doctors say to lay your baby on their back when sleeping, but most babies prefer to be on their tummy. If your child is crying when laying on her tummy you may want to let the doctor know that she is having problems in that area. All three of my children enjoyed being on their tummy. Hope this helps.