question for parents about "tummy time" for babies

[laurajetter]

My son is almost 3 months old and he hates being on his tummy. Even if I give him interesting things to look at, he will first just rest on the side of his face and then soon start grunting and screeching louder and louder out of frustratrion. Eventually when his frustration gets to it's highest point (in all of a few minutes), he will then lift his head and push up on his arms, but by this point I usually pick him up because he seems so distressed.

I really want to give him significant amounts of time on his tummy since he's on his back for such a large portion of the day, but if he hates it, what can I do? Should I let him lay there for a while just because it's good for him? I hate taking a smiling happy baby in a good mood and making him grumpy and frustrated.

Also, by not putting him on his tummy, won't that possibly delay him from learning to roll over, crawl, etc.?

Anyway, just wanted to get advice from those who have been there!

Laura

 

[becka]

DD hated tummy time. I forced it on her as much as I could stand but I will admit it was not nearly enough. She did eventually get where she would spend 5 minutes or so at a time on her tummy if I was right there acting like a fool to entertain her. I understand the guilt you feel but try to do tummy time in quick 1-2 minute spurts throughout the day when you can. I was a bad Mommy in this area but I think she will survive so I am trying to let it go.

DD is still not crawling and was very delayed in rolling over because of the tummy time issue. She is however right where she should be in everything else so I am not very worried. On the upside DD has some strong stomach muscles from doing crunches trying to learn to sit up while laying on her back.

 

[Dopeygirl]

My DD hated tummy time. The only time she was on her tummy was when she was asleep starting at about 10 weeks. I tried it daily but she'd get frustrated within seconds. Then around 4 months she started tolerating it for a few minutes at a time. One thing I started doing then that seemed to help was prop her up on a small pillow at about the rib level. She has had no "ill-effects" from not spending that time on her stomach--crawled right on the mark, rolling over early, etc.

 

[2sweetangels]

DD just turned 3 months on the 16 and she is not to fond of tummy time either. When ever I lay her on her tummy she cries and wines untill I turn her over. My older DD who is almost 2 yrs, she never liked tummy time either, but when she went to sleep it had to be on her tummy, she hated to sleep on her back ever since she was born.



Amy
Katelyn 1.17.04
Hayley 8.16.05

 

[golfgal]

All my kids liked tummy time. For DS13 we had mirror that we would prop up on the leg of the couch and he would talk to the baby in the mirror for a long time. The twins had each other to look at and were happier on their tummies then their backs.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Our daughter is 4 months old and can't stand tummy time either! I think that it all stems from the fear of SIDS and doctors suggesting that babies should sleep on their backs. Kids just don't spend much time on their bellys anymore. We break it up into 15 minute increments 4 times a day. It helps if we get down on the ground with her and play right along with her. As long as she's getting attention, she's pretty cool with it.

 

[bananiem]

I think very young babies hate tummy time after a few minutes because it takes so much strength to hold their heads up! I think a short sessions of tummy time throughout the day will help and the muscles will get stronger as the baby gets older. Then he'll be OK on his tummy for longer periods of time.

 

[pyrxtc]

The more you do it, the more he'll get used to it and start to like. The first time he flips himself over it will scare him, but then he'll love it. Give him as much tummy time as you can stand. If he is pushing up on his arms, let him do it til he lets go. It is very good for his muscles. You can pick him up when he starts to airplane and freak out, that will tell you he is done. As long as he is trying and not screeching then I would let him figure out what he could do. he lays his head down probably cuz he is not used to holding it up like that.