Tummy Time "Fun" - Magnolia,TX

Everyone develops in their own time. Don't frustrate her too much, or she might give up and take LONGER developing. Give her the minute on her tummy, then try again later. Be patient.

I have a 17 month old daughter who HATED tummy time! I also hated the idea of forcing on her so I really didn't. I would try it every couple of days for about 60 seconds or so because everyone said it was SO important. But no mat, blanket, or toy made it bearable. In spite of the almost complete dearth of tummy time, she was rolling over by about 5 months, crawling at 8 months and walking at 12. Not early, but certainly right on time.
I agree, don't force it if she hates it so much, continue to try, but don't let her get all hysterical.

All my kids hated it at first. It's hard work and they are lazy. Who wants to work. But, I forced it for a few minutes a day. Let them cry. The more they cry, the stronger the muscles become and the longer they can stay on their stomach and will eventually play since it will not be that much work anymore. Let her cry!

Could be she just is not ready for her tummy. Let her lay on her back, I am sure within a few weeks she will begin to attempt to roll on her own. Try placing a toy to one side of her, so that she will look in that direction and attempt to grab at the toy. Soon she will be rolling all over the place.

K.,

Poor little thing. Maybe she needs some toys! You didn't mention that you have any toys in front of her to stimulate and entertain her. She needs a reason to lay on her tummy and if you have a toy specifically for that, she'll love it. Check out my website and see if you can find a sale item for her at www.cindystoybox.com. All members get a discount. Let me know if I can help you out.

Peace,
C.

All that will come in time, don't worry. Yo r

just keep trying. She will get used to it. My daughter is 5.5 months old and has just now starting to like being on her stomach. She has reflux though so everything she eats ends up in front of her. As she gets more and more alert and able to grab toys and bring them to her mouth she will start to want to be ther longer.

My son hated tummy time too. As soon as he learned to roll over, he refused to do tummy time all together. This did not delay his development or hinder him in any way. Don't worry... some babies just hate tummy time.

I say don't push it. Both my boys HATED tummy time. Every time I put them on their tummy, they would just scream and cry. With my first I tried to force it a little because that's what I was told to do. He was very behind...didn't sit up by himself until he was about 6 months or so, didn't start crawling until he was 10-11 months old, and didn't start walking until he was 14 months old. With my 2nd, I'm trying something different. I didn't push it on him and he didn't roll over until he was almost 7 months old! (and that was from his back to his tummy) Now that he knows how to roll over by himself, he loves getting on his tummy. He still can't crawl yet, but he did sit by himself yesterday! :D And he's starting to scoot now too! (he's 8 1/2 months old)

My point is, I don't think you should push it imo. I think she'll do just fine, she'll let you know when she's ready. Still put her on her tummy, but like Kristi said, try more frequent but shorter periods. That way she's still getting tummy time, but it's not torture for her. (or you! lol)

Anyways, hope this helps, and good luck! :D

I agree, don't force it - she'll just cry herself into hysteria. There's lots of different "tummy time" you can do. My 3 month-old also HATED tummy time, so instead I'd put him tummy down on my belly and play with him, sing songs, but I didn't push it. Now he's almost 4 months old, and one day he rolled over onto his tummy, lifted his little head, and liked it just fine! So just give her a little time and have fun.

Hello there K. enjoy her why you can she will grow very fast im a mother of two and they are 12 and 13 now but time just went by so fast i wish it was like a clock turn back time.your baby is still very young all that will come in time give her time she will do it my son was three and half mos old when he started rolling over and useing his arms.my daughter was about the same age as my son when she started doing stuff like that as well enjoy her dont rush nothing in will be there before you know it you will be saying where did my baby go.have fun with your little angel wish you well have a good night.

I would not push this. My daughter was the same way. I could only do it for about 30 seconds a day. Many of my friends had the same problem with their babies. It is very common. Just put her on her tummy for as long as she'll let you. Have fun.

My now 9 month old son hated it too when he was that age(so did my nephew). I would put him on my chest and he tolerated it more. Or I would get down on my tummy with him and sing to him to try to make it more fun. Eventually, he grew out of the fits and started to tolerate it more and more. Good Luck!

I am a mother of 4 11, 9, 6 and 20 mnts. Out of 4 only 1 actually liked tummy time. I found that if I sat on the floor with them and placed my hand under their tummy to cradle them and kind of rock them back and forth slightly with my hand they responded well. Between 2 and 4 months that I know of most babies only take to tummy time for about 5 minutes at a time. So when you are on the floor with your baby for tummy time keep it short, simple and sweet. In time baby will adjust and begin to enjoy tummy time. Also remember that each baby is different and may not roll over until 4 or 5 months old. Good luck and enjoy!

I never worried about tummy time until my little ones could roll themselves over. Even then they would cry at first until I turned them back over. I think their tiny under-developed neck muscles hurt them at first. Don't worry about growth or progression. Mine were pulling up at 9 mos and walking at ten even though they were a bit late on the tummy. Just get a mat with hanging toys with textures and sounds to stimulate your little one. Good luck.

Aw, takes me back. It's frustrating being so little! Just keep trying. If she hates it, try putting toys in front of her. If she still hates it, flip her to a position she likes. One day, she won't protest at all and she'll get her tummy time. It is important for her to develop those important muscles, but she shouldn't be miserable trying...and she won't hate it for long. They change so fast at that age!

So don't worry. Do what makes you both happy. Relish and enjoy every moment...and ignore anyone who tells you to let you baby cry. It goes against every new mom's natural instinct to let her baby cry!

I don't know of any baby out there that enjoyed tummy time (our friend called it tummy torture when his daughter was a baby). You might try more frequent but shorter periods on your daughter's tummy - less time for her to get hysterical but then she would get a reasonable amount of time adding up over the day. Something else that worked for me that seemed to keep my daughter happy at that stage was that we would put her on her tummy propped up on a boppy pillow or something similarly shaped with a baby mirror on the floor at face level so she could look at "the other baby". As she gets stronger, you can remove the boppy. Good luck!

My daughter did the exact same thing! She's now 7 1/2 months old and plays on her tummy and sometimes even rolls over to sleep on it! One day she just let me put her on her tummy for a little longer, she was 4 months old so be patient. I figured out that first thing in the morning in when she liked it best. One day she just decided that she didn't mind being on her tummy and I'm sure your baby girl will do the same. I was worried about not developing those important muscles, but she has on her own time. She was too busy advancing in other areas!!!

Tummy Time Fun doesn't sound like fun for your or your child.
What is the rush? I am sincerely asking because I don't recall ever making an issue over putting a little one on his or her tummy.

Won't she be turning over on her own soon? And, when you hold her, isn't she more or less on her tummy when she is on your shoulder? I understand that you don't want her head to flatten from being constantly on her back.

My daughter is 5 1/2 months old and HATED tummy time too. We just didn't bother much with it. It's really so they can strengthen their back muscles so we just sat her up a lot, she loved the Bumbo. She started being ok with tummy time around 4, 4 1/2 months because that's when she was strong enough to push herself up. She still doesn't roll over much although she is perfectly capable of doing so. She just doesn't think being on her tummy is all that great. BUT, she is already sitting unassisted and has been for a few weeks, becuase that is what she worked so hard for and wanted.

My point is that respecting your child's personality is perfectly ok and as long as they aren't obviously behind (like months) on milestones, I wouldn't worry about it or force tummy time.

She hates it, so stop. Simple as that. She'll do things in her own time. That's how my daughter did things, and she's fine.

My little girl (now 2) never liked tummy time. She would tolerate it only for a few minutes then scream. She did better if I put her over the boppy pillow instead of just flat on her tummy. She also got better as she got older when she could reach for a toy and when she was strong enough to push herself up. I never forced her to stay there longer than she could tolerate, but I did keep putting her on her tummy each day. Your child will eventually use her arms. I would just keep trying and doing what you are doing. I wouldn't let her cry for too long on her tummy. I'm sure you are doing a great job. She will learn eventually.

A little crying should be okay, but certainly not hysterics. She will get frustrated and that will motivate her to work her arms and push up. Try rolling a receiving blanket up and using it to prop up her upper body a little. You could also try putting things, like pictures of mommy, or pictures of babies faces there for her to look at.

At that age, I did a LOT of "tummy time" with my children on my chest! They liked lifting their heads to look at my face, and they were getting the same skills. I would lie down on the floor and have them on my chest and if they wanted to look at mommy, they had to lift their heads, push up with their arms, etc.

I also used the Boppy a lot. It would prop them up so they weren't completely flat, but they still had to work their little arms and necks to look up.

I also have a toy that lights up and plays music, and one of its (2) positions is intended for tummy time. My kids really did try to look up to see the lights and the source of the fun music. My daughter often just used her leg to turn herself around, but I figured, HEY! she's learning to move her body in order to see what she wants. That's a skill, too! And what's more is they still love this toy. They sit on the floor with it still (at 3 and 1) and love to change the music on it! Worth the $20 or so it cost.

My kids didn't particularly react to the play mats and gyms that were geared toward tummy time, but that was them. Many people find them worthwhile.

All that said, the best tool I used for tummy time fun was my own chest! I did it on the floor and in the recliner. They loved it, it was nice body contact and bonding time with my babies, and they practiced the skills they need.

Tummy time is important. Because of the "back to sleep" endeavor, babies just aren't learning the skills they need until later. Will this hurt? Perhaps not. But giving her other opportunities (like on your chest) will help her develop her skills!

If she's crying, she's not enjoying herself (duh!) and will see future tummy time as torture to come. Stop putting her on her stomach to play for a week or so and play with her in a way she enjoys. Keep using new and favorite colors, textures, positions to gently help her explore her world. But she's so little, let her go slowly so she's not overwhelmed. I don't think she sounds like she's behind developmentally. She may hate tummy time until she's ready to crawl! Every baby is different. My third baby never cruised the furniture. I thought maybe he'd be a late walker, but instead he just stood up in the middle of the floor with no support and took off one day shortly after his first birthday. Keep watching her cues and play what she likes to play. If she's good at something she'll be happier to try new things sometimes, too. (Just like us big people, it's all about comfort and confidence!)

Enjoy your baby!
P. (mom to three boys ages 7,5,& almost 3)

She's two and a half months old, why is it so important to you that she have "tummy time"? When she gets ready, she'll roll over. If after a month or so, if she isn't rolling over, have her checked out by the Dr.

Every baby develops at his/her own pace. Don't stress that she's not rolling over...some don't until 4 months. Maybe try laying her on your chest while you are laying on the floor. That way she can see you, but will have to start picking up her head to do so.

My grand daughter will be 1 on Sept 6 and she never did like being on her tummy. She started walking a couple of weeks ago. She didn't even crawl in a normal fashion because she didn't like being on her tummy in any form. She sat straight up with one leg bent in front of her and used the other one to pick up her hiney and scooted. It was toooooo cute and she got anywhere she wanted to.

There are lots of other ways to strengthen her little arms. One thing you can do is use the toys that are overhead that she can reach for. She will get more used to tummytime when she turns over by herself and learns to turn back over. It will come when she is ready. Emma and my other grandbabies didn't want to lay on their tummy as much as they wanted to sit up. They got bored really easy.

One thing I did (I am a SAHG...Stay at home Granny, LOL) was put them in a walker at about 3 1/2 months (when they can control their heads really well) and put toys on the tray and it wasn't long before they were picking up things with one hand and then with both hands. It is so neat to watch them learning. At first, I roll up a little receiving blanket and put around them to assist them in being stable. My babies just loved this time.

From a Mom of 3 and Granny of 8, she will be fine. All babies have their own ways and sometimes just don't want to be put in a "mold" with other babies. There will be lots of other things that she doesn't comply to the "norm" and that is okay.

Hang in there and just enjoy your little one. She will let you know when she is ready to do things.

Hi K., I am a 30 yr. old mom of a beautiful 16 mo. old son, and when it came time to put him on his stomach his did not like it as well! We did it for little incriments at a time, but not nearly as often as they say you should. He was too curious and did not want to work to see what was going on. Regardless of the lack of tummy time, he ended up walking at 8 mos. So not to worry, it did not seem to slow down my son's developement at all. Good luck.

My son also despised being on his tummy. He learned to roll over but from his back to his belly. He is 7 1/2 months old now and he is crawling. I didnt make him have tummy time and scream because he was uncomfortable. He did learn everything he needed to and it was on his own terms when he was ready not when other mommas said he should. Dont worry too much they will do everything when they are ready. I still would try about once a week for him to have tummy time, usually lasted a min then as soon as he fussed I would pick him up because it would only esculate to a fit. Good luck

My daughter didn't start pushing her self up on her arm for a looonnnggg time. I was so worried and we did tummy time all the time. She eventually got it. Just took her time. With my first daughter I never ever did tummy time. I just didn't have a clue I was even supposed to ten years ago. And she started pushing up just fine. Don't beat your self up over getting tummy time in. Babies progress when they are ready. Try your best to enjoy the time you have with out the battles. Babies don't stay babies for ever!

My son is the same way. Sometimes he likes it, but ususally not and if I leave him there (because I know it is good for him) he cries and usually falls asleep :)

He had a light rash in his neck and the doctor said it was from it not getting air, hes chubby :) Anyway, she said I have to give him more tummy time. So its more than just the strength and rolling over.

I would suggest doing it in little bits at a time. Maybe put some linkadoos around her. Not too close to her head though because I know my little guy lifts his head and sometimes it comes crashing down. Wouldnt' want to do that on a toy.

Anyway, good luck!

Lie down on your back with the child on your tummy and sit tummy to tummy with her, until she gets used to seeing the world in that way. Make faces at her, hold her up while counting "1,2,3" then put her back down. She will enjoy your touch and not be so bothered by the "new world view".

DOn't worry about it at all.....and don't force it. My son did not enjoy it either until recently. Only because he is now rolling all over to get around. Now he loves to be on his tummy and rolls over all the time to get there. He is almost 6 mos.

As for the people who tell you to just let her cry...forget it. Your child needs to trust you at this age. If you do not tend to her, your bond will suffer. I promise, it will be fine. you are a great mom!!

K.

We used a boppy under our sons chest and and he loved being on his tummy, I guess he just did not like being flat on the floor. And he could see his toys in front of him better with the boppy. When he started to try and go over the boppy we took it away and he now loves being on his tummy more then anything else!

dear K.,
i see youve gotten alot of responses already and forgive me if i repeat any of them, i dont go through them all.
i had the same problem with my daughter. she was late in everything, compared to her sister who was walking at 10 months. you should put her on the floor more often instead of for long periods of time. and put a toy where she can see it. maybe get her a brightly colored floor mat to attraact her attention. shell be good though. kids do things at dramatically different paces, depending on their interests. my first daughter was intent on exploring the whole house and couldnt do it from a sitting position. my second daughter was content watching the wallpaper peel. you can also try putting her on her stomach on your chest while lying on your back so when she looks up she sees you, or she can take a nap.
M.

Hi K.! My little girl is 7 months old now & has a blast with tummy time....however when she was younger she did not like it at all either! I say don't push the issue, babies will do what they want in their own time. Don't fall into the trap of comparing her to other babies her age because they are all different. One day my daughter just starting doing better on her tummy. I used tummy time mats but she really just enjoyed regular toys & me on the floor with her the most. Just give it a try every few days & eventually she will enjoy it. I would never just let her cry & cry....why? If she doesn't like it, she doesn't like it. Forcing the issue (no matter what the issue may be) with babies just doesn't work out (or make sense). Have fun - let her be a baby as long as she can! Good luck! H.

Just keep trying....she'll get used to it, especially if you do it at the same time everyday. Then, she'll get used to the schedule of it too. Keep plugging away!! GL and enjoy that baby!!

SAHM of 4 boys (17, 6, 4, 20mo.)

Try a Boppy pillow under her chest. It props her up a bit higher so she can see around. Or you can take a rolled up towel and make a U shape and stick that under her chest and arms if you don't have a boppy pillow. Another fun thing to do is to take a slightly deflated beach ball and roll her around on her tummy on that (holding on to her of course!). It helps her with balance and is great tummy time.

I have the same issue. My daughter is also 3 mos. old and hates it as well. However the pediatrician told me to put her on her stomach a little each day so she can "practice". What I try to do (and what I have read you can try) is to motivate her to want to look up. Dangle a toy or something interesting in front of her.
Other than that I am out of ideas. I just put her on her stomach for as long as she will allow and if she is not happy for more than a minute just stop and try again later or another day.

don't push her. find something that she can see when she is on her tummy. relax, she'll want to roll over soon enough and be engaged. they don't like the tummy because they use different muscles differently and it isn't comfortable. just a few minutes each day and show her something shiny, colored, or of interest. don't push, she'll be fine. i've never heard of a child not rolling over.

My daughter is now 11 months old, but she also hated tummy time at 3 months. We just tried it every day or so as long as she could take it. Once she got fussy, we turned her over. Sometimes this happened immediately and sometimes after 1 or 2 minutes. Eventually the time lengthened, but we didn't worry about forcing tummy time, and she was right on time with other babies her age with turning over and such. I wouldn't worry. Just make an attempt at tummy time each day, but don't worry if you can't keep her there for more than 30 seconds. Her time will come!

I had good experience with a tummy-time mat for my daughter from One Step Ahead: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

HOWEVER, I don't think I started tummy time until she was at least 3.5 months... maybe not until 4 months. Your daughter is still in her 2nd month. Perhaps a touch too young? Their eyes take a few months to focus. And her neck muscles are still weak. Id suggest holding off for 4-6 weeks and then trying again.

Hi K.,

I have a 6 month old daughter who also hated tummy time. SO I would time her for 5-10 minutes and that is all she would tolerate. So that's all I would do. The Pedi kept telling me she needed more tummy time, and nothing ever worked, but now at 6 months she started turning on her own and stays on tummy time for a long time now, so if I were you I wouldn't worry about it for now, I'm sure she will eventually like it when she gets older. My daughter has pretty strong arms now and is doing great and she started liking it at 5 months..I think it's nothing to worry about

Good Luck!

Hi-
I have a 3 1/2 month old and she and I do some tummy time when we are laying down and she is laying on top of me.
This way she is still in the close soft comfort of momma, and you are face to face. Maybe she'd respond to that better than being on the floor?
Good Luck.
E.

My son (now 20 months) HATED tummy time! I ended up just putting him down for as long as he would tolerate it (sometimes just a minute was all he could take) and I'd get him up when he began to get upset. He eventually got to the point he would tolerate it for longer intervals. I also got him a tummy time mat with a small boppy and he liked having his chest raised. At 2.5 months I would not be too concerned; she'll get it eventually.