Tummy time..HELP!

Alongcamebaby17

My daughter hatesssss tummy time. She will cry the moment I put her down...which is weird because if she had a choice she would sleep on her stomach since that's how they put babies in the NICU, and even though shes been out of the NICU for 10 weeks she'd still love to sleep on her belly if I allowed. But if she's wide awake and I try to put her on her tummy she freaks out until I pick her up. And I cannot let her CIO. I just can't. So I pick her up. I know how important it is, so I'll put her on my chest while I'm lounging on the couch and she'll lift her head and stuff like that but I don't feel like that's enough to give her the full affect. Any advice?

kaleidoskpeyez

Try putting her on her tummy on the couch (or a chair) and then sitting on the floor right in front of her. You could also try propping her up on a boppy instead of putting her totally flat on the floor. We also tried a bunch of different toys and books to distract him. We also discovered that tummy time at night is NEVER a good idea with our LO, since his level of crabbiness increases as the day goes on. 

And having her do tummy time on her chest (or across your legs) is definitely better than nothing. That's how we started, and my son gradually got more comfortable with tummy time. He still doesn't love it, but he's getting used to it.

Just keep experimenting and hang tough. She'll get there eventually, and even little bits of tummy time here and there is helpful. Good luck!

LauLauCC08

I do it on the boppy or a pillow and that usually helps!! GL

jenmccon

I walk around holding Jacob like a football. Tummy down, face by my hand, and legs on each side of my arm towards my elbow. I support his head with my hand, usually cheek in palm. He always lifts his head and looks around. He loves it. Every single time I put that boy on his play mat he starts crying. Once in awhile the boppy will be ok. He doesn't mind the chest, but usually only when he's sleepy. I'm going to keep trying the play mat but at least he is working those neck muscles a little bit in the mean time.

MadamePresident

My daughter hates it too, but will tolerate it a little bit when I get down so I am face-level with her.

NapJunkie

My kid likes having something to look at, so she is fine on my chest, on the boppy on the couch if I'm sitting on the floor next to her, etc.  I just put a mirror against the wall so she can see herself and she loves that.  All of the pps' suggestions are great too.  Don't stress out too much

AbuDhabiMommy

Our LO wasn't a fan either. I bought her a little pillow to help support her during tummy time and that helped. We also just got her a mat that is filled with water that moves fish around when she bats it. Both of these items have helped.

Alongcamebaby17

AbuDhabiMommy:

Our LO wasn't a fan either. I bought her a little pillow to help support her during tummy time and that helped. We also just got her a mat that is filled with water that moves fish around when she bats it. Both of these items have helped.

 

That mat sounds so cute, what is it called. And thank you everyone for the suggestions. I try to get down on eye level, play with all different toys but she does not like it no matter what I do! But im definitely going to keep trying!