Not enough tummy time?

bklyninri

I am trying my absolute best to give my DS tummy time every day, a few times a day, but her SERIOUSLY hates it.  I am messing things up for him if I pick him up when he cries for awhile?  Are there other ways to strengthen the neck?  Am I just being a worry wart and will he just develop naturally over time?

krystal0707

Have you tried putting him on his tummy on something other than the floor?  Boppy, your chest, the couch.  My little guy does a lot better when we can be eye level with him, like if I put him on the couch and sit on the floor.  Also try putting a toy there for him to reach for.  My siggy pic is LO in his boppy and he loves it.

mom2binKC

Try for very short periods of time -- like 5-10 seconds, and build from there.  Help him roll onto his tummy, sing a little song or hold a toy where he can see it, wait for 10 seconds, and then help him roll back.  Repeat several times.  And a little fussing here or there won't hurt, but if he is really upset, for sure roll him over or pick him up and comfort him.  Just try and get him to last longer next time.

Tummy time on your chest, with you reclined -- not completely flat -- can be another good way, and babies like to try to look at mom's face.  If you have a big exercise ball, you can try putting him on that on his tummy, and gently move him forward and back on the ball.  The further back he goes, he will be more upright, and it will be easier for him to hold his head up.  The further forward you push him, he will be more flat, and it will be more challenging.  You can do a little gentle bouncing or rolling side to side to try to make it more "fun."  Use a soothing tone or sing little songs, to assure him that things are OK!

Neck and back strength will develop over time, but being on the tummy is THE BEST way to do it.  And later, when babies are pushing up on straight arms and reaching, it develops shoulder strength, core strength, and balance, and builds a foundation not just for crawling, but all kinds of other skills -- even strengthening hand muscles for handwriting later.  No other positioning will strengthen baby quite the same way, so tummy time is extremely important!  A lot of babies fuss at first, but as they get stronger and it gets easier for them, they all tolerate it better, and some end up loving being on their tummies, because they can see the world around them much better than just laying on their backs.

Keep at it and GL!

aocain02@yahoo.com

Mine hated tummy time until recently.  I didn't stress about it too much but found as the PP said he preferred being propped up on things like a pillow or the boppy.  He also likes it when you put him on a beach ball or the exercise ball and kinda roll him back and forth.  We made a game out of this. 

Jeni182

You can do tummy time using your body as well. Try laying him over your lap with his head off so he can tried and lift it. Also you can try laying down and putting him on your chest.

DH likes to lay down and put DS on the lower half of his legs and fly him around. DS likes that one too.

HTH!

mysonya

I use the boppy too.  I also put DD in her bumbo seat. She likes to do tummy time on her changing pad.  I think because it is softer than her play mat. You may want to try that and see how it works.