Hates tummy time

[The Vern]

My 8 week old lo HATES  tummy time.  I try to get her used to it, but she lasts only about 30 seconds before going into a fit.  I know it's important for muscle and motor development, so I'd like to stick with it and increase her tolerance. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what did you do?  Does there come a point when she's just old enough for it to feel better for her or is it a matter of getting her used to it?

[Nikki~Nathanamp;Danielle]

Hi, have you read the post at the top of the forum for some other ideas on what counts as tummy time that may make things a little more tolerable?  Just short bursts will help, so stick with it.  Does you lo have any sort of reflux/digestive problems?  I know that can make things a bit uncomfortable for some babies.  I also think time propped up against your shoulder would be a good temporary alternative - it will build neck and back strength by being encouraged upright and needing to look around etc.  You could start off completely upright as you would hold a baby while walking, and then sit down and recline yourself backwards so baby is on top of you but at a 45 degree angle and then some lying on the floor with baby on top of you.

Good luck and HTH

[LŠuren]

This Idea came from my sister , and it was a great idea ,
when it was time for jonathan to start with tummy time , we got a train , a very simple one , it was actually a santa's train that made a lot of noise , and we put it infront of him , you can be sure that in no time his tummy time went from less than a minute to much longer than that , he could spend realy a long time just following the train as it was moving . today jonathan is 5 and a half months and the moment we put him on the floor , he rolls to his tummy and stays there almost the whole activity time , .
i hope this tip will be helpfull .
rachel

I found this yesterday and need to try, DS also doesn't really like it - would rather chew his hands.
Also worth mentioning that DS seems to tolerate it more if we do it on either my bed or his cot 

[teezee]

i had the same problem with my lo when she was younger and just kept trying...that's all u can do really - sometimes it helps if u get down on their level but it didn't for mine.  once she learned how to roll over both ways it got considerable better, now she is 8 months and most of the time when on the floor she lays on her tummy to play with her toys.

[brightside]

My DS also didn't like it at that age. He is now nearly 4 months and still isnt a fan but will tolerate it for longer than he did at 2 months. I think you just have to keep trying, even if its only for a minute or 2. I also did a lot of it on the bed. Think he perfered the softness and we would practise rolling on there too. I think they are supposed to have a harder surface but to get her used to it, then I'm sure it would help.

[rjr]

Hello:

My little guy, who is now just over 3 months, doesn't like TT either (since about 5 weeks).  BUT, he has significantly improved his mood over the last week and a half...I thought there was no end in sight and now I feel much better.  Sometimes they just take time, I guess.

One thing that I just discovered that works with my son is a qucik flip from back to tummy.  This seems to get his attention and he tends to keep his head up much longer than if I just lower him straight onto his tummy.

Just keep hanging in there.  A few times a day for a couple minutes each time is better than nothing, and it will get better (I waited 2 months for even marginal improvement but it eventually happened)!

Best of luck!
 

[Sara's mum]

I find that my lo hates to be on the floor on her tummy. but loves to lie on mine or dh tummy no problems at all. She often will roll on to her tummy on her own when put on the floor. I really think that persistence pays off, eventually.

[colenliam]

Hi,
I wouldn't stress to much about TT.
Ds hated it as well but we just kept trying if he cried we stopped it.  he still did everything on time, ex. rolling over, sitting, crawling , all that.  it will come.
By any chance does your lo sleep on tummy?

[sazza]

something that was recommended to me when we thought DS had reflux was to roll up a small towel (eg hand towel) and wedge it under his chest, with the ends sticking out either side of him - it takes the pressure off the tummy. i never actually remembered to do it and DS adjusted fairly quickly to TT of his own accord, but i thought it might help....

[The Vern]

Thank you all for your replies and great ideas.  Recently things have improved greatly.  I bought a mat which has a soft rool that goes under her chest and something fun to look at, so that's making it a bit more interesting for her.  Her head control has really come a long way, and i think she just hated having her face planted in the blanket (who wouldn't )

[Maman_d'Adrien]

Our son did not enjoy tummy time at 2 months either, but tummy time on Daddy was a hit. So that is one way of extending tummy time. Also, the moment we thought of putting something under him to lift his torso a bit so he could see straight ahead, it changed everything (it was  a boppy breast feeding pillow but any rolled up towel will do). I think he felt like he was climbing a baby-mountain and that made him very happy and proud. He could see the toys in front of him and that kept his attention longer. At 6 months now he plays on his tummy and enjoys hit, starting to lift his little bottom and move his knees when he is trying to reach toys.