Head stuck during tummy time

[4myfinn]

My DS is almost 4 months old. He HATES tummy time and always has and screams for the entire time. He is just able to lift his chest and head up and that is usually only if there's a rolled blanket or the boppy propped under his chest. Admittedly, don't put him on his tummy as much as I should because he hates it (and I also think it hurts his reflux). I've tried not to be too concerned, though, because he is meeting/exceeding milestones in all the other areas and I think he'll get the tummy stuff in time. A friend of mine also pointed out to me that "tummy time" is a very Western concept and in many cultures babies are not on their tummies much at all until they're older and do just fine.

Lately I've been concerned, though, because I've noticed that he has a very strong preference to look to the right during tummy time, even if I try to dangle a toy or stuffed animal to get him to look to the left. He will look to the left occasionally, but not often. At his 2 month checkup the doctor noticed the back of his head getting slightly flattened on the right side due to his preference to look to the right. Since then we've made an effort to get him to look to the left (even switching places in bed so he'd look the other way while sleeping as he always wants to be facing me) and the flat spot has improved. However he still only wants to look to the right on his tummy. When he is sitting in his bouncy seat or on one of our laps he will look both to the left and right, but sometimes his head slouches a little toward his left shoulder.

I've heard/read about torticollis (sp?), but I'm trying not to get overly concerned. I have a tendency to do way too much internet "research" and then freak myself out.

Has anyone had a similar circumstance? Should I bring this up at my LO's next doctor's appointment? Anyone have any tips on what I could do until then?

[LadyCatherine185]

I don't know about the torticollis, but as far as tummy time goes, we never did it. DS hated it as well, and had bad reflux. He was always early for all milestones. I don't think letting a baby lay there and scream is a good idea, for any reason.

[Michigan Mama]

I do believe in tummy time, and think it's important since we don't put babies on their bellies to sleep anymore. Not to say a kid who doesn't get tummy time is going to be messed up or anything. But tummy time can help to assist in muscle and motor skill development. I should mention that I'm a physical therapist.

My ds1 hated tummy time, and had the same issues as your little one. I didn't do tummy time often because he hated it. I took him to a D.O. friend of mine for craniosacral therapy and osteopathic manipulation, which helped, but it would have been better had we gone earlier. He's now almost 3 and you can still see his flat spot, but only if you're looking for it.

With ds2, who is now almost 5 months, I did way more tummy time from the get-go and he does really well with it, I think because he's used to it. He's really strong, too. I took him to the same DO (I also see her for my own neck/back problems) when he was just a few weeks old to make sure all the joints and sutures in the head were moving properly.

Anyhow, it is worth asking about, because torticollis and plagiocephaly (flat head) are easier to treat earlier on. The longer it goes on, the more work it is to fix it. Look for ways you can hold your baby so that you're having him look to the left and tilt to the right. You can even stretch him yourself, which he may not like, but can help.

It's nothing to be overly concerned about, but in my opinion is worth getting taken care of. That tends to be my perspective on most health issues, though.

[odoole]

I agree it is terrible to leave a baby screaming on his tummy, and I must say with DS's mood lately, I've all but abandoned tummy time.

But earlier, I did find some success by elevating the mattress (crib or bed or whatever you have) and practicing on his tummy for a while. He didn't seem to mind that as much. After doing that for a little bit, he seemed to have worked out the muscles and the coordination to do it on the flat floor. He even had a 2 week period when he was rolling over consistently. Then DS got fussier with teething or something and I sort of abandoned the project and he now hates his tummy again and has forgotten how to roll over.