I'm starting to get really worried about DD's development...

mavilabride · September 2009

She's still not able to hold up her head when on her tummy. She hates tummy time no matter how many things we put in front of her. We have propped her up on the boppy and it still isn't motivating enough to her.

And I'm especially worried because MIL is against tummy time. She thinks babies learn to do stuff when they do and you don't need to help them get there. I asked her to make sure she puts her on her belly for at least 5 minutes but when she tried DD started crying and she has refused to continue tummy time. I can get her to agree but its not like I'm there to monitor all day.

Sweetgurl6630@yahoo.com · September 2009

What about laying her on your chest??

Mrs_mam · September 2009

My DS hates tummy time too, I'm lucky to get 5 min. a day and our ped. said to do 30. She also said that time spent with them on your chest counts as tummy time. He holds his head up a little on his tummy, but he holds it up a lot more when we hold him on our chest or against our shoulder. I also let him "sit" on my knee sometimes and he tries to hold his head steady then too. There are lots of alternatives to tummy time to help get the neck stronger!

katypresson · September 2009

The best thing to do it keep trying...my LO hated tummy time too...but has gotten much better. FIL watches him and understands that it's necessary and the pedi recommends it done an hour (total) everyday. Just say the doctor is pressing you to do it more often and if you don't she'll get a flat spot on the back of her head (my LO has one since I wasn't doing TT often enough while I was on maternity leave) Oops Embarrassed

mburkhe · September 2009

My DD holds her head up great when she is sitting or being held, but she will not lift her little head when I put her on her tummy. She will even try to pull herself forward when she is in her carseat, kind of like she is doing a sit up. But when I put her down for tummy time she puts her face onto the floor and sucks her fist. I am going to have DH ask her pedi about it at her next appointment, but I am curious to see other's responses.

Mjmksb04 · September 2009

Sunflower55014:
What about laying her on your chest??

Ditto this if she hates tummy time. Is your ped concerned? If he isn't, then I wouldn't be either.

aelyngstad · September 2009

DD hates tummy time too. Have you tried holding her straight out so she is somewhat doing tummy time, but you are holding her? Or putting her on your chest, shins, etc?

Rizzo5 · September 2009

Then I should be REALLY worried b/c my DD hates tummy time too...and rarely holds her head up when she does do it. Most times she just cries on her belly. DON'T WORRY. Just do it as much as you can through the day...even if it's only for 30 seconds. Was your pedi concerned at your last well visit?

ChelleM · September 2009

When my DD was around your DD's age she didn't well with Tummy time either. But then a couple of weeks later she just started doing well with it.

Can you or your H talk to MIL? It's not right that she's refusing to do something you've asked her to do.

mavilabride · September 2009

Sunflower55014:
What about laying her on your chest??

I've tried this and she hates it too.

Mrslove78 · September 2009

When DS does tummy time I have to hoot and cheer him on the entire time, or he cries. It will happen, but she does need you or who ever takes care of her to work with her a bit.

This worked for DS best. TV is at the foot of the bed, so I lay backwards on the bed, turn the TV on, and have DS on my chest, he loves TV, so he lifted his head to watch.

mavilabride · September 2009

Mrs_mam:
I also let him "sit" on my knee sometimes and he tries to hold his head steady then too. There are lots of alternatives to tummy time to help get the neck stronger!

She actually has really great neck control when sitting (on my knee also) and when being held. I could hold her without holding her back really (I don't but could). I'm glad you mentioned this because I thought it was just tummy time.

electricdoctor83 · September 2009

J does much better with tummy time on my chest than when he is on a play mat. In the beginning especially, he hated it so I just would recline back in a chair and let him practice holding his head up on me.

As he got stronger I was able to put him on a boppy with success and now he will do it on a playmat.

I have a issue with my mother in law too, she doesn't understand the point of tummy time and just likes to hold him all day long. I just explained to her that I think it's important and it's good for his developement of his neck muscles. I bring his play mat over to her house when I drop him off too.

Good luck!

grinsandgiggles · September 2009

Not all babies like tummy time or want to lift their head at such a young age. Some babies are 4-5 months, sometimes even longer.

Try doing tummy time on you, turning the tv on, laying on the floor with LO.

Keep at it. DS hated it but we kept him on the floor even while fussing (I know it's easy to pick them up at the sound of a first fuss). Eventually one day he lifted his head up to look around and he's been happy about it ever since.

mavilabride · September 2009

mburkhe:
She will even try to pull herself forward when she is in her carseat, kind of like she is doing a sit up.

DD does this also

WeddingInGreece2008 · September 2009

Sophia didn't like tummy time at all until about 3 and a half months. She wouldn't last more than five minutes. I think you should talk to your DH about your MIL but don't worry too much about it. Also, talk to your pedi...

mavilabride · September 2009

Mjmksb04:

Sunflower55014:
What about laying her on your chest??

Ditto this if she hates tummy time. Is your ped concerned? If he isn't, then I wouldn't be either.

I don't know. The last time we saw Pedi was for her 2 month shots and she was just a few days away from 2 months so she didn't even talk about it. She just said that before her 4 month appointment she "should" be able to hold up her head during tummy time, make some attempts to roll, and belly laughs.

Amy in AR · September 2009

mburkhe:
My DD holds her head up great when she is sitting or being held, but she will not lift her little head when I put her on her tummy. She will even try to pull herself forward when she is in her carseat, kind of like she is doing a sit up. But when I put her down for tummy time she puts her face onto the floor and sucks her fist. I am going to have DH ask her pedi about it at her next appointment, but I am curious to see other's responses.

This. exactly

sarahmself · September 2009

DS hated tummy time until recently and he still won't spend more than about 10-15 mins at a time on his stomach. There are a LOT of other things you can do. (1) Lay her on your chest, (2) sit up w/ your knees on an ottoman or coffee table w/ DD laying on them and slowly pull her up to a sitting position, (3) encourage her to stand and sit as much as possible, and (4) don't give up on tummy time. We did these things w/ DS and he is ahead on all of his milestones. See if you can't get MIL to do some of these other things w/ her and then try to do tummy time w/ her when you get home. The exercises I mentioned will help her strengthen her neck, back and core muscles, although she still may not roll over until later (totally not a big deal BTW). And talk to your pedi, he should be able to recommend other exercises she can do. GL!

July_2009 · September 2009

Same exact story with my DS. He HATES tummy time and cries his eyes out when we lay him on his tummy. On the rare occasion he lies on his tummy he sucks on his thumb and sleeps.

We lay him on our chest a lot and he raises his head well, but my Pedi said that is not the best way since his upper muscles are supported by us. Pedi also mentioned DS has head lag and we are doing our best to get DS to do tummy time. We get about 5-10 mins per day after his kicking and screaming and crying bloody murder. I have no solution except to let you know that there are others in the same boat. My mom asked us not to worry abt DS and that by 4 months, the head lag would go away. None of us as infants did tummy time specifically and we turned out fine. I trust my mom after all she raised 3 healthy and fine kids.

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