Advice on Tummy Time

Hi J., I had the same issues with my son. I would put him on his tummy and then he would get so frustrated. You are doing the right thing putting toys in front of him etc. I also got just a basic play mat and would start my son on his back and then we would roll to get more tummy time in. If you have a boppy you could try propping him up on his tummy on that so that he can get a better chance to lift his head. My friend suggested it and it seemed to work but just in short intervals.

Don't give up is my advice to you. He will get used to being on his stomach and before you know it he will be rolling back and forth. Hang in there. This time goes so quickly he will be walking before you know it! Good Luck!

I had the same issue with both of my kids. They hated being on their tummies. I would try, but give up after the screaming. I wouldn't worry about it. As long as he is not laying down all day I think you'll be fine. Mine turned out great and reached milestones at the appropriate ages. My second child I did find that if I put a boppy pillow under his chest/armpit area he would last a lot longer on his tummy. Good Luck!

Hi J.,

You don't need any special mat, just some interesting toys. You are not doing anything wrong!!! Your baby just needs to be on his tummy several times a day...his time will increase the more comfortable he gets. When he gets frustrated just pick him up. Then try again later...he will do just fine.

Deb

Hi!
My advice is not too stress. Keep trying but don't worry about it. My 1st child hated tummy time and I worried about not trying hard enough. But, she crawled on time and everything progressed just fine.
My second child loves being on his stomach. It's nothing I've done to get him to do it.
Best wishes!

Try propping him up on a boppy--rather than buying a mat right away. My daugther is 11 weeks and that seemed to help her with her frustration level.

J.,
I have a 4 month old son as well! I have found that he loves being on his tummy if he can see what is going on. I have put him propped up on the boppy and he loves it. He is on his tummy and holding his neck and he can see the world around him. I hope you find something that works for your little one!
E.

Hi J.!

My daughter hated tummy time too! It wasn't until I started putting her down for her short, supervised naps on her tummy that she started liking it at all (she was rolling over at that point anyway). Once she got used to waking up on her tummy, then she would play a little in that position. But she wasn't a fan until she had the strength to push herself up (then she was very good at baby yoga)

We didn't the water-filled mat, but we did have one for tummy time--she wasn't interested until she could already sit up!

I'd say that even several 3-4 miutes sessions a day would have to count for something--after all , do that 5 x a day and that's the 15 minutes he needs!

Good luck! He'll be stronger and moving around before you know it!

Hi J.,
I understand your frustration. My daughter was the same way. She is now 8 months and rolls over on her stomach all the time. But when she was younger, she hated tummy time and would get so upset. Don't worry about getting 10 - 15 minutes every day. Let him take it as long as he can then move on to something else. He will eventually learn to tolerate it. Every baby is different so don't think you are doing something wrong. Gymboree has a class for babies and they do have a tummy time when they use a rolled up towel and a mirror on the floor. My daughter still hated it and was the only baby who threw a huge fit. Your son will get there in time.
Good luck!!
J.