need tummy time help

twoitalians

Has anyone had success with your LO (who HATES tummy time with a passion) to get them to start liking tummy time with one of those playmats specially designed for tummy time... i.e. with the pillow area, toys, and everything?

I have tried everything I can with what I've got to get DS to like tummy time and not scream his head off every time. So far, no success except for maybe once or twice weeks ago. I have tried on just a blanket and face down with him, toys to distract, on the couch so I could look at him level, propped on a Boppy (a regular size not the small one made for tummy time), rolled up blanket under his chest, my arm or leg propped under him... The best he can tolerate is playing "airplane." I don't think this is helping him building his arm strength or coordination that he should if he were actually pushing himself up. His neck and head strength seem great.

I'm just tired of having an upset baby every time we attempt tummy time. Today (mind you, the tail end of a wonder week) DS cried/screamed for a full 20 minutes after the 2 minutes he was down on the floor. I think that maybe if we just keep doing a few minutes here and there he will eventually get used to it, but my mom and DH refuse to try tummy time because they don't want him to scream. Does anyone think the specially designed playmats will help or will DS just magically one day start to enjoy tummy time?

xxbabycakesxx

If you can find some cheapo play mats then its worth a shot but they can be expensive and I'm not sure it'd be worth a ton of money. Sone LOs just hate tummy time. Just keep doing a few minutes here and there. Make sure DH knows, which I'm sure he does, that LO won't learn how to fully roll or crawl if they don't get tummy time.

Ds1 hated tummy time as a newborn but eventually got used to it. Ds2 can only do a few minutes of tummy time at a time cause he'll start screaming. It makes me not want to attempt it again but its how they strengthen their core.

WhimsyGirl14

DD hated tummy time, and I'll admit we stopped. She had good head control, and I decided to wait until later to try again. She started rolling over a few days ago though, so now she just rolls over to avoid it. We didn't purchase any mats etc.

If your baby seems to be fine, and you're doing other things, I would just do tummy time as long as they can stand it. I never let DD cry while doing it for longer than a few seconds.

vfriday

Try a mirror. DD loves her kick n play for the music, but she can't get enough of her own reflection. Most babies love their reflection. We have even used the front facing camera on the cell phone when a mirror wasnt handy. She will do tummy time 10-20 minutes at a time.

AericksMommy

My son started rolling on his side a few weeks ago and just the day before yesterday he started rolling over on his tummy. He's always hated tummy time and would scream like yours for a long time, even after he got off his tummy, but now he's doing it for a few minutes, fusses a little, then when he's turned back over he stops. The process repeats a few times, then it's usually time for his nap. Just a warning, he did make it to his tummy as a fluke about a week ago and it scared him, but now he's trying to do it pretty often.

I never tried a mat, but I was so relieved when this happened. I'd suggest encouraging him to roll on his side with a little push, or by gently picking up his blanket from under him. Hope this helps~ Also, I've heard from people that not doing tummy time doesn't keep them from learning to crawl and such. They might do it a little slower, but all babies find their way there eventually.

WhitEm14

I stated using my phone so that he could see himself in the camera function of it. He still hates it, but at least this way I get 5 minutes out of him (sometimes a few more, where before I'd get about a minute). I also noticed that letting him sit in the bumbo (with some assistance/and a watchful eye from me) helped him get more head control and strength so he felt more confident/comfortable during tummy time. I think it comes with time and I agree that getting mom and DH on board is super important.