The DREADED, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD...

[aleatha5]

Tummy time. Seriously, I know that we are supposed to do this everyday, but Vincent HATES it. He is generally such an easy going little dude, but put him on his tummy and it is screaming time. I've tried tummy time on the bed, on the floor on a tummy time mat, on a blanket on the couch. I've given him mirrors to look at, toys, myself, my DH. He hates it all!

Anyone else have this? How did you get your LO to be a happy participant in tummy time? I feel like he is really lagging in the tummy time skills, like rolling over, propping himself up, etc. I'm not so concerned, because I know that all kids eventually catch up, but, I'd like to get him to the point where he likes it well enough to tolerate 5 minutes of the tummy time.

Any thoughts?

[Pandme]

How old is he?

[aleatha5]

Oh, sorry, that would have been helpful info. He is 15 weeks tomorrow. So, I really didn't sweat it at first and we did tummy time on my chest, but now, he doesn't even like that. Sigh.

[Pandme]

My advice is not to stress on rolling....you're not behind! And there is no set timetable, it's all just guidelines.

Wearing your baby works the same muscles as tummy time. Does your baby like being worn?

[tzs]

i get down on the floor with my daughter and participate in the tummy time. she doesn;t hate it hate it but if i wasn't on the floor staring back at her she wouldn't last very long down there.

[cristeen]

To be honest, I haven't done tummy time once with my little guy.

Have you tried laying down and laying him on your tummy? Or have your DH do it (DHs tend to be less bumpy). My LO loves laying on daddy's chest, but hates laying on mommy's unless nursies are involved.

[2boyzmama]

what if you prop him on a boppy so he's elevated? Gavin sleeps on his tummy for all his naps, so he gets lots of time. try the propping.

[~Laura~]

No tummy time yet here either. I barely ever put her down, so she gets no floor time. She has great head control, and I know from the first three kids that the rest just falls into place when it is supposed to.

IMO, I wouldn't stress at all about it. Spend time with your baby happy - whatever that position might be. They get big SO fast.

Laura

[StrongFeather]

I can't say I have always been great about tummy time, especially when Sam was really little, but recently I try and have him down there once a day. When he was smaller I propped him with the Boppy. Now I have been propping his new mirror up for him to look at himself with.

I do get down there and lay with him encouraging him and all. last night he was a rolly-polly baby, rolling both sides from his tummy.

[octobermoon]

mine used to HATE it but likes it more and more. i think because we sleep him on his tummy sometimes. he'll only tolerate it though for a few minutes at best. but i can see even a short time has helped him hold up his head. yesterday he even used his arms to support himself for a few. i read even a few minutes is beneficial and talking to them while they are doing it can help, it works for us but as soon as he fusses i take him up.

[KayleeZoo]

One of my kids despised it- as in, would shriek and carry on like I was pulling her toes off

Instead? We waited just a bit, and then propped her up with blankets in the exersaucer at about 4mos. Gave her lots of neck strength, and she loved loved loved it. She has developed perfectly normal, so I wouldn't hesitate to do it again if baby #4 hates it as much as she did.

[Pepper44]

I don't think babies really need tummy time to develop normally. I'm fairly certain throughout history tummy time wasn't a regular thing. It's a more recent term made for babies who spend all their time on their back in a bouncy seat or a crib or a car seat.

If you wear your baby that will develop the neck muscles and back muscles just fine! I never did any tummy time with my DD and she started walking at 9 months, no problems at all.

[pastrygirl]

My older son hated it, so I never did it. Eventually he liked being on his belly. I didn't notice any problems from not doing tummy time.

[greeny]

I don't think babies really need tummy time to develop normally. I'm fairly certain throughout history tummy time wasn't a regular thing. It's a more recent term made for babies who spend all their time on their back in a bouncy seat or a crib or a car seat.

If you wear your baby that will develop the neck muscles and back muscles just fine! I never did any tummy time with my DD and she started walking at 9 months, no problems at all.

I totally agree with it.

I never did it with my older two kids. I just waited till they were old enough to get onto their stomachs on their own by rolling. This was around 3-4 months. Then they enjoyed tummy time. The both developed just fine.

I'm not worried about it this time around either.

[aleatha5]

Thanks all, I do feel better about it. He is worn all the time, and has great neck control. He does love to be on his back now, he used to want to be held all the time (and I was happy to accommodate!) so, I guess tummy time love will come....I just need to take a big breath and relax.

[BeanSprout Mama]

ds hates it. So, we almost never do it. I think I've done maybe 30 minutes total, and he's 9 weeks old.

I just figure he'll get those skills eventually. It's not like he's lying in a crib all day long - we hold him most of the time, he sits in his swing, he plays on his play mat on his back. He just hates tummy time and I don't see any point to sticking him on his belly and letting him cry. I've never met an otherwise normal adult who didn't know how to hold his head up, crawl, or walk, so I'm sure ds will eventually do those things (and he's my last baby. I won't complain one bit if he's "behind) on those kinds of skills. Stay a baby for a little while, kiddo!

[Julia24]

we never ever do it. I mean, I may LAY her on her tummy, but she starts fussing within the minute and I pick her up, so I don't think it really counts! All three of mine have had pretty great head/neck control from early though, so I don't worry. She's made the transition to wanting to be held facing out all-the-time now, so she's in the sling kangaroo style or in one arm on my hip for a great majority of her time. Couple months and they'll be on the go! I'm in NO hurry

[Pinkbruise]

DH likes to play with Jude and do tummy time, but it's not something I ever think about doing!

I read somewhere, one time, that all the time babies are being worn counts and tummy time...

I didn't do it with my 1st either (didn't know it was something I was supposed to be doing) and he met all of his milestones right on time....

[darcytrue]

DD prefers tummy time on our chest/tummy while we lay down somewhere or on one of the beds in our house. She has an activity mat but doesn't like it quite as much. She only likes 'back' time on the activity mat at this point.

[Beanjeepin]

I didn't even know tummy time was still recommended anymore, I haven't tried it with my kids at all since DS1. DS2 and the twins were/all belly sleepers so I suppose they get it there. They were/are worn nearly constantly so I suppose they get it there.