I am worried about my 3.5 month old...?

Question

My baby hates being on his belly. Everytime I place him on it he screams and cries and I flip him to his back. He can hold up his head steady when I am holding him, but he doesn't even try when he is laying down. I am worried that he isnt even trying to do the "mini push up" HELP. Is this normal, what can I do to encourage him.
I've tried propping with a pillow and laying down with him but it doesn't help. What should I do?

Answer 1

Most babies really hate tummy time. Just try to give it to him in small doses. Here's some activities taken from the Nipissing District Development Screen™ which is a checklist designed to help monitor your child's development: Babies like variety and tire easily so change their position often throughout the day. Place them on their tummy, prop them up safely in a sitting position, place them on their back, or hold them at your shoulder. When they are on their tummy move bright coloured toys in front of them. This will encourage them to lift their head and push up with their forearms to get their chest off the floor. They want you to see what they can do. They love your face the best so get down on the floor with them.

Click here for copies of the Nipissing District Development Screen™

http://ca.geocities.com/__geri/Nipissing4Months.xls

http://ca.geocities.com/__geri/Nipissing6Months.xls

http://ca.geocities.com/__geri/Nipissing9Months.xls

http://ca.geocities.com/__geri/Nipissing12Months.xls

Answer 2

Not all babies like being on their stomach. None of mine did. They'd scream and lay their face down on the blanket. My youngest (2 1/2 now) wasn't on her belly. She couldn't stand it (she would lift her head up and bang it down on the blanket. So I stopped putting her on her belly. Every child is different. Maybe yours isn't quite ready to be on his belly yet. Give it another month or so. and try again. If he still screams and cries then give it another month or so and try again. Mine didn't start liking being on her belly till she was about 8 month or so. Mine never crawled either. she'd scootch around on her butt. As long as there seems to be no problems (he can hold his head up, reach for things, ETC.) he should be just fine. If however you are still worried I'd bring it up at your son's next check up.

Answer 3

The boy I take care of is the opposite. He can't stand being on his back. I've been caring for him since he was five months old, and his Mom says the preference predates my arrival.

Of course, I understand that you are trying to move your son toward crawling and eventually walking, which makes "tummy time" especially important. I would try to be very low-key about it, and don't force the issue. Keep trying, but only once per day or so.

Answer 4

Some babies, particularly pudgy babies, do not like being on their belly.

The only thing that *may* help is having him lie on your, or better yet daddy's chest (less bumpy than yours).

Just try to encourage strengthening the arms in other ways. Like when he is sitting reclined let him grab your fingers and encourage him to sit up.

Seriously though, my baby would scream every time he was on his belly, until he learned to roll onto his back, then he would just roll over. Once he could get into crawling position he would do that on occasion but it still wasn't his thing.

And he's fine. Maybe a little late crawling 8-months, but he learned to pull himself up on the couch, furniture surf, really crawl, and get from lying to sitting all in one week. (Before he learned to crawl he would roll or sometimes drag himself around using his hands with his head way up).

Every baby is different. And don't listed to those people who are going to tell you that you didn't start tummy time early enough and that makes you a horrible mother. Tummy time is for moms who leave their baby in seats and lying down all day. Not for moms who carry their babies and encourage them to sit. Really the rest of the world and most of history moms just carried babies around all the time and they developed enough strength to crawl and walk at the same age they do now. It's only in North America where people believe holding the baby spoils the child and that strollers, swings, bouncy chairs, car-seats, bumbos and all manner of crazy devices are better for baby that we have problems with flat heads and delayed development for environmental reasons.

Answer 5

My daugther hates being on her tummy so much too..she is three months old and she rolls herself onto her back once I put her on her tummy, but sometimes shell just lie there and scream. I find what may help is putting her on her tummy till she gets fussy then turning her back, then a little later try it again but for a little longer. It actually works and they can tolerate being on their belly longer then. Mabye if you are doing it after a feeding it pushes on her stomatch and gives her a stomatch ache, so mabye try as well whent her stomatch isnt full.

Answer 6

that's normal. My son didn't want ANY belly time until about 4.5mo.

I just layed down with him on my chest so he would be happier and still work to build those muscles.

Answer 7

give him a little more time. My son was the same way and I waited until he could roll himself over onto his stomach by himself. That was only a few weeks later. It seemed to be the right time for him and he seemed to be more comfortable when he did it on his own.

Answer 8

my daughter is a little over four months she won't roll over or like laying on her belly either. im not worried at all. they have theyre own personallities and she just don't like it. you don't lay a certain way if you don't like it do you? if your really concerned tell the dr. on her next visit but she will do it when she's ready.

Answer 9

the books i've read state that tummy time is a little liked activity for babies. at least for a while. i set my daughter on my chest & it helps her a lot.

Answer 10

It is normal just give it time and he will pick it up!!