Baby Hates Being on Her Stomach

Updated on July 23, 2008
A.P. asks from Provo, UT
6 answers

I have an almost 7 month old daughter who still hates being on her belly. I have been putting her on her belly for "tummy time" since she was a newborn and she has always disliked it but I thought she would outgrow it by now. I put her on her belly several times a day and she usually whines and rolls right over after a few seconds. I am not able to get her to stay on her belly for very long. The reason I am slightly concerned about this is because I know that "tummy time" helps promote crawling. She loves sitting up and standing up when someone is holding her hands. She does not particularly like lieing down on her back for very long either unless she is sleeping. I know that all children develop at their own pace and I am not trying to push her to crawl. I only want to provide opportunities for her to learn how to crawl. Is there any ideas on how to get her to stay on her belly more? Or does it matter?

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A.U.

answers from Provo on

Both of my children hated tummy time too and I also thought they'd never learn to crawl. They eventually did (at about 9 mos), but quickly moved on to walking- one at 10 months, the other on his first birthday (though he cruised a lot before that). I have heard some experts say that crawling is an important milestone that effects cognitive and reading abilities later on (I don't understand that connection), but honestly, my daughter who crawled late and then only for a month learned her alphabet at 18 mos and is learning to read at a faster pace than my son (and she is still young-- will be 4 next month). My advice would be to not worry about it. Every child is different and she'll get there eventually.

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S.S.

answers from Provo on

A.,
Try putting her on her tummy and lay right in front of her. Make silly noises and talk up a storm to her. Make it a fun time. I had a daughter like that. She just preferred to see the world. She would only nurse on her knees so she could look around all the time. At 31, she's doing ok : )
She's gonna be alright. Just take time with her!

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H.S.

answers from Provo on

A., Most babies hate tummy time she will crawl I'm sure. If she would rather sit and can on her own encourgage her to lean to get things she wants and she will figure it out. A nurse showed me you can get a couch cusion and put her on her knees and lean her on in to encourgage her to use her kness instead of her tummy.

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R.A.

answers from Provo on

This is something you don't need to stress about. She will do it it her own time. I have two sister-in-laws who, when they were babies never did crawl and went straight to walking and they are both fine. No worries. You can't force nature. Rose

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P.W.

answers from Provo on

Don't stress your baby just needs to crawl in order to help develop her brain and coordination, and she will learn and she's already moving and playing and learning how to use her body so she's going to be just great. Here's what I do to encourage tummy time with my 6 month old.

*I get down on my tummy facing him and play with him.
*I lay down next to him and play with him so we're looking at the same thing and then he wants to stay and see what I'm doing.
*I have a toy I borrowed that uses linkadoos rings that make music when you pull them. It's a tummy toy, so if she rolled over she wouldn't be able to play with it-hence the motivation to stay on her tummy.
*I take him outside because he likes it out there
*We have tummy-to-tummy time

Good luck!

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E.B.

answers from Provo on

My little one didn't like being on her stomach either, but she did eventually get the idea of crawling all by herself. Also, I know many a child that went from sitting to walking without the crawling thing and they are just fine. A lot of times it is a first child thing cause all they see is adults walking around- no examples of crawling. So, if she prefers to walk, then help her develop her legs for walking. A jumper toy would probably do well. You know, the ones that they sit in and are surrounded by little activities. Good luck!

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