My little one was born early, and the doc recommended we give him a little extra tummy time to be sure he meets and/or exceeds his milestones (which he has thus far). Problem is, he HATES tummy time. He either screams within a few minutes of being placed on the floor or he falls asleep almost immediately. That being said, he is an extremely happy baby, barely cries, and loves being on his tummy elsewhere (like on our chests, etc). So, do all babies hate tummy time this much? And do you just let them scream through it? The doc told us to just let him cry, but that is easier said than done! We manage to get about 15-20 minutes total of tummy time per day. Doc is saying this isn't enough. Suggestions? Stories?
just info: almost 4 months old, strong neck, not rolling over yet, able to do "push up", can hold head up when sitting up supported, meeting all other milestones
EDIT: We have tried the toys thing. I purchased a tummy mat that has water filled decorations and a pillow, all kinds of fun things. He doesn't care! Lol. DH and I also put our face down there and try to talk to him, entertain, etc. Nothing helps!
Thanks so much so far ladies! Our doc said that putting baby on us/our chests, etc was not the same as floor tummy time and discouraged us from doing so, but it sounds like that worked for a lot of you and our little guy loves it, so I will continue to use it in addition to the pillow mat I have purchased.
My DD hated tummy time too. She cried and cried or would go to sleep as well. I usually only did 15-20 minutes a day and she is developing just fine. Sometimes I would have tummy time across my lap or on the bed and she tolerated that better than the floor.
My first, a preemie also, hated it. My second had no problems with it. Don't put him down there and leave him to scream/cry no matter what your doctor says. The doc doesn't have to be there when it's going on!
Just go for small increments of time. So that he gets some tummy time but letting him get worked up over it isn't worth it. I promise you. It sounds like he's doing really well and as long as he's getting some tt he will be just fine!
My first hated it! Then I got the second one home, and she hated it too! LOL Both of mine have had reflux, so I'm sure that contributes. What my pediatrician told me is that the purpose of tummy time is to keep them from getting a flat head in the back, so as long as he's not flat from laying on his back all the time, he'll be fine. Both of mine are happy and healthy. I agree with the other moms. Letting him lay there and cry is mean, and your pediatrician is a little out of touch with that. Good luck, and don't worry, children grow up happy and healthy in spite of us. LOL
I wouldn't be too concerned about what your doc is saying and just let him do it as long as he wants to. 15 minutes sounds like plenty of tummy time to me - my son also hated tummy time and he turned out fine. As he gets older it will be more comfortable for him and then it won't be a big deal. Sounds like he's meeting all other milestones just fine so I wouldn't sweat it - you're doing a great job!
Both of our kids hated it! Really, really hated it. I doubt we ever got in 15-20 minutes of time and they turned out fine. In fact, they both walked early at 10 mos.
Yes! All babies hate it! LOL. To make it a little more interesteing is..place some soft toys around your baby, and play with him. Make sounds with some plastic shapes...clank them together. Never tummy time after your baby eats. I normally do it about a half hour before feedings...that way if they get too mad, you can calm them with a bottle. :)
Added; Try the mirror thing. I remember doing that, but I forgot about it. Good call Jenna. Also, try laying him on his belly on you. Get him used to it.
At 4 mos, I'd be doing more, yes. I have a 6mos old, and whenever I set her down, I'd put her on her tummy. Until he can roll, you'll have to move him when he starts to cry (I wouldn't let him just scream face down in the carpet like your doctor is suggesting, that's really mean!) Just give him a break, and next time you move him somewhere, put him back down on his tummy. Use that as your go-to position for him. He'll get used to it quickly.
They all hate it until they can move around. But the more you do it, the stronger he'll get and he'll gain more control.
We used our Boppy for tummy time or a pillow. Once my little guys chest wasn't on the hard floor he was so much happier.
Mine loved it. But she could roll over at about a month. Have you tried putting a mirror down in front of him, so he can look down and see himself?
mine hated it so badly that i rarely made her do it. Just know that if that is the case with yours he will be slow to roll over since its all in the ability to hold up their heads. Mine is barely rolling at almost 7 months.
My son loved it. First his tummy time was on my or Daddy's tummy when we were on the floor with him. Then he loved his play mat no matter whether he was tummy up or not. I'd still be on the floor right next to him. Eventually he could roll over front to back, then back to front and he had a great slither worked out. He'd see something he wanted that was out of his reach when he was on his tummy, then roll over to his back and push with his legs till he was closer to it, then he'd roll back over and make a grab for it. Sometimes he'd roll and scoot a few times before he got it, but he was always a pretty determined little guy!
My first two did because they weren't on their tummy's long enough...#3 came and because I didn't take naps during the day I was determined to avoid the "flat head" business. He slept on his tummy during the day from the time he was 5 days old. He was used to it so when he bacame more active he wasn't bothered in the least.
Keep putting him on his tummy througout the day...Let him cry a little. Try to do it for 10 minute intervals...Prop him on a boppy pillow for more support and place colorful toys in front of him so he can try to reach it.
I agree w/ Dori--go for small amounts of time & work up to longer periods. Don't leave him to cry.
That being said, our little guy hated tummy time; we're virtually certain it was because he had GERD (reflux), so it was uncomfortable for him. So, we would roll up a towel and put his arms over it, so it lifted him up off his belly, but still get the idea of tummy time (holding up his head, turning his head). Our pediatrician also said that if you lay down with the baby on your chest, that is also good tummy time. DH spent a lot of time with our baby that way. He liked that a lot better than the regular tummy time (even with the towel roll, though the towel roll helped).
