Tummy time a disaster

Mmm79 · May 2013

So, DS hates being on his stomach. Hates it. AT around 2 months, I started trying to put him on his tummy for a few second after each diaper change. He cried, but it was just 10 seconds so it wasn't so bad. I'd scoop him up and calm him down pretty fast. Then I tried to have him do it for the 15 minutes a day he should (around two months).We are now at three months and he can't go more than 10 seconds without screaming/crying- inconsolable wailing. The kind that takes 20 minutes plus to calm. The kind where his nose runs and he ends up exhausted and sniffling. So I admit I have tried it less and less often. Well, we're now at three months and although his head control is great when up on my shoulder, he can barley lift himself when lying flat I have tried a rolled up towel, placing him over my legs, on an exercise ball, on a bed, on me (he'll snuggle/nap on his tummy on me, but that's it) getting on the floor with him, using a mirror- nothing works. I barely have time for it to work because he gets worked up very quickly.

I am getting worried about how this will affect him and I'm just not sure what to do.

Anyone else dealing with this?

martinimomma · May 2013

Take a breath - you are doing all the right things, Momma, and it will all be okay. Your LO is still pretty wee, so despite the admonition of a pedi or what you've read, doing what he will tolerate and following his cues is probably fine for the short term. If he tolerates TT for 15 seconds, just do it for 15 seconds...but repeat a few times a day until he builds his tolerance. As he gets more interested in things, try mirrors, distractions, heck even the TV for visual distraction can work. My DS had wicked reflux and colic, and hated TT with a passion. It is not as easy to do as it sounds! ((Hugs)) and good luck!

Izabella22 · May 2013

We weren't great about TT here either, DS had horrible reflux early on so it had to be right before he ate, so it often didn't happen. Just keep working at it, try doing it more often and work up to longer sessions. I also used this stuffed tiger someone got us to lay him on and he was fascinated by the colors so he'd tolerate longer. Is he well burped before you do it? I know that was another problem for us, DS was so gassy it was just uncomfortable for him.

Mmm79 · May 2013

We've tried it many different times of the day with the same result. Sheepishly, I admit I haven't been consistent with it due to how upset he gets. And if it were just crying while he was on his tummy, I could deal. But after our latest attempt he was inconsolable for almost 40 minutes

orangegoggles · May 2013

I think you are doing all the right things. Just keep trying for however short it might be. You might find that one day he can tolerate it longer and as he gets older he'll care more and more about the distractions your giving him. I've noticed that for us DS Will hate something like tt, being unswaddled, bottles, etc. then just randomly not have a problem with it anymore. It's bizarre because it can happen over night.

Hang there and don't fret. Your LO is getting lots of opportunities to strengthen those muscles in other ways throughout the day.

Gregermis · May 2013

We're only two weeks, but DD does better with tummy time on my chest and then I'm more like 45 degrees... Maybe a way to ease him into it a little better?

MrsRiceARoni · May 2013

My lo was the same way about tummy time, you'd think I was trying to kill her with the way she acted any time I tried it. I usually just ended up doing "tummy to tummy time" and I'd try doing it when she was awake and alert and talk to her or hold a toy or something to keep her engaged so she'd try lifting her head or pushing up a bit. Now she will tolerate tummy time on the floor for a few minutes on some days and others she wont do it at all.

awesnap · May 2013

DD went through it. I just did tummy time on my chest and she would look up at me, made sure she was well rested and in the morning (time when she was in the best mood) and when she got a little older she woke up to the world and loved looking around. Hugs your doing a great job!

nuttycoconut · May 2013

I could have written this post 2 weeks ago! My DS would scream and put his head down on the ground, and it would take forever to calm him down. I tried boppies, rolled up blankets, up on the changing table, on the ground, etc. He just started tolerating tummy time for 2-3 minutes. He picks up his head and bobbles it around a bit while he looks around. Sometimes I can distract him with a toy. I just put his elbows together to help him hold his head up. It sounds like you are doing everything right! I suppose it just takes time, patience, and practice.

PathwaysMom · June 2013

I'm sorry Tummy Time has been torture for you! It is still important to try because it will help develop your LO's neck, core, and arm strength while preventing flat spots on the head. This site offers some great tips for parents, Maybe they can help: https://bit.ly/YDanN1

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