Tummy Time Help Needed!!!

Hi L.-
It is so important that your son has tummy time not only for crawling, but for speech (believe it or not)as well.
Hope this helps
K.

Mine isn't fond of it either, but I started using a tummy time "ladybug" toy that helps. I don't know the exact name, but it is a colorful mat that has a spinning ladybug piece that the baby lies on and when he/she kicks it spins slightly so they can see different colors, textures, etc. The have it at Buy Buy Baby. Good Luck.

My little girl hated tummy time. The doctor said she should be on her tummy at least 30 mins per day, all my friends said that's crazy and told me not to force it. I didn't force it after that, and my daughter is just fine. She is strong and perfectly normal, and crawled and walks just fine. If your boy doesn't like it, don't push it and don't worry about it. Best of luck.

Hello L.,
That is plenty for a 3 month old ! When my son was newborn I took a mommy & me class taught by a license therapist and child development expert. She told us that the goal would be to repeat tummy time several time a day. Like 10 times 1 minute per day -- and most babies would not stay 2-3 mins at a time at all! My son hated tummy time too... until one day he liked it. He wasn't the first to like tummy time nor was he the first to perform the important back to front roll, but one day it all just happened. Then his development rapidly progressed! He crawled and walked relativly early, and now at 18 months runs jogs all over the place, and can navigatestairs without any problem. What's more his coordination is excellent -- with sports and small objects too.

My point is I was worried at first, comparing to all the other moms and babies, and my son is 'perfect.' Just relax and enjoy. They only get to babies once! My pediatrician told be to relax too -- he said people want babies to grow up so fast when really this time is special. I was worried about walking, yet my son actually ended up being an early walker at 11 months -- and the doctor said he had until 15-18 months on the 'normal' curve!

Also, I've noticed that with firstborns (I only have 1 son as well) they seem to not rush because they have no other child to copy/rival all day. My son suddenly walked when his older cousin of 7 years old stayed in my house for 1 week. My son liked crawling and only sometimes walking at that point, but when he say another child walk all over the place, he wanted to follow him no matter what, he wanted to be just like him, and by week's end he was sprinting! He didn't react like this to adults obviously, just other kids. It was really funny.

Enjoy this time, and remember once they start to move they don't stop! ;)
C.

2-3 minutes is fineand normal for a baby that is starting tummy time. Start with that and as his neck gets stronger, increase the time. I have never met a baby that truly likes tummy time. It is like running laps or doing situps for them-pure exercise.
It will get easier

Just keep doing what you are doing, lay there with him and talk to him to calm him a little. Its a bit of work for him, at that age my pediatrician suggested 15 minutes a day. They can be broken up a little, but the more you have him do it, the better it will get. Keep working at it!

One of my twins did the exact same thing for the first 5 months. He would cry every time when I put him on his tummy. Somehow the whole scenario changed when he turned 6 month. He suddenly was rolling around back and forth from his back to his tummy with ease. It's amazing to watch how they have changed. Although I still wonder (not worry) if he would be crawling like his twin brother whom was abel to crawl and sit up by six month. But I know every child is different and some don't crawl at all and go straight from rolling to walking.

Mirrors will help. They love looking at themselves. Or maybe set up a little train or something that goes round and round. Or put him on his tummy on you. He will LOVE looking at your face, especially if you talk to him. But even if nothing works, don't worry. Any delay will probably be minimal. Some babies just don't like tummy time!

My daughter (now 13 months) was the same way. She hated tummy time to the point that at 8 months i wrote almost the same post about her!

She never really got to like it, i would do it for a few minutes every day and she continued to cry. She crawled fine and has no problems SO don't worry too much and all should be fine!

Don't worry. My daughter hated it when she was a baby--but she walked fine. She never crawled. It was a personality thing. When she walked she learned in 2 wks, but until then she preferred sitting or finsing other means of mobility. Keep practicing tummy time but don't worry if it doesn't last long.

just keep it up. as long as you are right there, be sure something very soft is under his head, but keep a close eye because the softer it is the more of a suffocation hazard it is. think about it from his perspective... it is so much work to hold his head up, and if he lets go he smashes his face into the floor. stressful! just keep doing it a little at a time, you wont believe how fast he develops the muscles. you can try putting one of those soft baby mirrors on the floor in front of him too, lots of them are fascinated. also, dont forget that if he is laying on your chest on his tummy, its still tummy time, and he will probably be a lot happier. my daughter was soooooo attached, i dont think she saw the floor for 3 months, she was always on me, she developed just as quick as the other 2.

Hi L.,
I haven't read the other posts so I may be repeating what they've said. First, Congratulations on your new baby boy! My first son (who is 3 1/2 years old) was the same way! He only got 5 minutes of tummy time a day. Sometimes he'd get 10 if I could do a morning 5 mins. and a night time 5 mins. He was fine! My doctor said, do as much as he can handle 5 mins. a day is fine and he was right. My son crawled at an appropriate age. My second son (4 months) is doing the same thing. He HATES tummy time too, but I'm doing my best to get the 5 mins. in during the day. Talk to your Dr. and see what he/she says, it will give you peace of mind. Congrats again, and enjoy him. Before you know it, he'll be off to preschool!

As you know it is very important for tummy time, so each time increase tummy time by a minute or so. Get on the floor with him and play with him and som of his toys. Maybe also play soothing music.

Try not to stress about it. We went through the same thing, still do at 8 months! Now there are some times when my son will tolerate tummytime, but for the most part he gets mad if it is not his own doing like when he rolls himself over. Everyone made us feel pressure to keep him on his belly when clearly he didn't like it. Finally I realized that the most important thing is to takes cues from him on when HE is ready for developmental steps, not when other folks say he is. Don't forget they are all different! My son is now 8 mo and hasn't shown much interest in crawling yet, but he is so smart for his age and always has been very sharp as well as talkative. I think he's one of those babies who will just up and start walking at 10 or 11 months! If not, so what if he doesn't start crawling at 6 months? And don't worry there are many exercises he can do to for strengthening the key muscles, not all need to be on his tummy. It wont hurt to keep trying each day, even if is only a few minutes. Best of luck!

Hi There,
I am an Occupational Therapist and a Mommy of 2 little ones... and a big advocate of Tummy Time!! I am glad you recognize its importance. Just keep up what you are doing... there are a lot of other good ideas from other responders (ie. mirror, get down on his level and do "Tummy Time" with him). Tne other thing, is recognize when you are doing tummy time... make sure he is happy and not hungry (but also don't do it right after he eats!) Good Luck!

Did you try a bumbo seat?

Hi L.,
Someone gave me this advice after my son was past the "tummy time" stage, but I plan on doing this for my next baby. I was told to lay on my back and have the baby do tummy time on my tummy. He will be much more interested to see your face and it gives you some bonding time.
And if he is still lasting only a few minutes at a time...? A few minutes is better than nothing! Gradually he will work his way up to longer periods of time!
Good luck!

Hi L.,

I think you're doing great. I'd try 2-3 minutes a few times a day. For instance, you can put him on his tummy every time after you change his diaper. You can also put him over your legs, he might like that.

My best,
B.

Hi L.,

Sorry--I didn't read through your responses due to time, but wanted to let you know that any time your baby is not resting on his back is going to "count." This means that if you are cuddling him on your chest and reclining, that counts. If he hates being flat on his tummy on the floor, try reclining with him on your chest and showing him things, or walking around with him on your shoulder and pointing out pictures and mirrors behind you. He will also want to look up at your face when you are holding him like that. Being on the boppy or blanket on the floor is just one way to get that time in. Good luck!

Hi L.,
I used to put a large mirror on the floor (one of those tall cheap ones from Walmart or Target). I would lay it sideways, on the floor, a few feet away from my son and he was so interested in watching the "other little boy" in the mirror. It worked wonders! Good luck!

I always tell the Mama's that I work with that "tummy time" doesn't have to be on the floor or in the boppy! Use your body! Put that baby right on your belly/chest while you are reclining or laying on the floor. Your little guy will LOVE to pick up his head to make eye-to-eye contact with you and interact socially... add some silly babble or songs, and you both will have a blast! Much more interesting for him than an inanimate object... remember how social babies are at this age!

I TOTALLY understand. My baby girl is just over 3 months old and at first she would put her face down and cry. Now she is a lot better with tummy time. She use to last 1 couple minutes but she is now up to 10 minutes. I think it gets easier with time! he will get better at it! good luck!

My little one (now 5 months old) had the same problem, now she loves laying on er tummy! We would start doing tummy time with her laying on my tummy with her tummy. I just ha my chest propped up a bit. This way it was a bit easier for her at first, and Mommy was right there!
Just keep trying he'll get it sooner or later.

M.

My daughter also HATED tummy time until she was rolling and trying to get on her hands and knees to sit up- maybe around 6 months?

At that age, all three of my kids HATED tummy time!! They just cried and cried. But it's important to do, so if you can get a few minutes in here or there, that's good. Try using a mirror (they make baby friendly ones that are attached to a plush triangular shaped pillow). We once went to a gymboree class where they put a large mirror right on the floor and the kids looked at themselves in it (and drooled all over the mirror!)
You can also put your baby on his stomach on your lap and bounce him a little. He might like that better. Or put him right on your stomach (while you are lying down). Also, try to get down on the ground with him so he can see you....
When he gets a bit older and can grab for things, it will be easier...

Don't worry! My ten month old is totally developmentally normal and he didn't like tummy time either. Just be patient. Eventually, he will spend more and more time on his tummy and as long as his neck is strong, it's nothing to force too much.