Am I Imhibiting my daughter?

Question

My daughter is 6 and a half months old, and she isn't rolling over yet. My mom and sister say it's because I didn't give her a lot of tummy time when she was younger. She sits up by herself, she's babbling and is on cue basically for her age besides the rolling over part. When she was younger I put her on the floor but she would always cry so I would pick her up, now she doesn't like to lay on the floor and I pick her up when she starts to cry for to long. A couple months ago it looked like she was trying to roll side to side but now she's not trying at all. I feel like it's my fault for not letting her get used to tummy time. What can I do to make tummy time better for me and her and to help her learn to like it and to roll over?

To the third person who answered my question I appreciate you taking time to give me your opinion but the doctor told me to give her 15 min of tummy time a day,so it can't be to harmful.

To everyone else thanks for the advice.

Answer 1

a lot of babies "skip" certain things that other babies do because all are different and some babies do other things much sooner than others...it's perfectly fine....my first daughter when 4 and a half months old would say mum.....mum! when her swing stopped(very surprising) and she never crawled she would scoot across the floor....my second daughter hardly ever talked besides basic words until she was 4(she talks too much now)....my son "never" took naps after he was 8 months old and he is too clever for his current age and his vocabulary is surprisingly large. Never feel worried by what other parents say....I personally find it rude for someone to make any comments about a baby's development "style" and comparing it to their child. Unless your pediatrician says there is a problem than ignore what anyone says.....you are the mommy and you know what is right for your baby.

Answer 2

I wouldn't be the slightest bit worried. If she isn't interested in rolling over, no big deal. Is it because you didn't give her much tummy time? I doubt it. Consider this... if she had poor head control or low muscle tone from a lack of tummy time, she wouldn't be sitting up on her own. Some kids will hit milestones out of the typical order. Some will walk before they crawl. Your daughter sits before she rolls. As long as you aren't seeing a pattern of missed milestones, it's totally normal.

If you are still concerned, you can do some things to encourage her to roll. Put her on her tummy and lay on the floor with her. Sit face to face and keep her engaged. Show her how to roll. Find a toy she's interested in and hold it over her head but in her sight. Move it and try to get her to follow it. (We have a hilarious home movie of me doing this to my little brother with an ice cream cone. While I don't recommend giving a 6 month old ice cream, it worked pretty well.)

Good luck and keep up the good mommy-ing

Answer 3

Hey there. Mother of two and a third one on the way...

First of all, DO NOT BLAME YOURSELF. Mothers and sisters have a lot to say. Heck, when it comes to babies, everyone suddenly becomes an expert. But there is only ONE expert of YOUR baby and that's YOU.

Your daughter sounds like she's right on target for all the important milestones, I really wouldn't sweat it over the fact that she's not rolling over. Some babies don't. My son (oldest) didn't until he was about seven months and yet my daughter was rolling around by the time she was four months old. It all varies depending on the child.

My son really hated being on his tummy too and I always wanted to pick him up. So, to compromise, I'd lay on the bed and lay him on his tummy on top of me. That way he was next to me, warm and comforted, and yet getting his tummy time too. Plus, mommy's face is much more exciting than any activity mat, right?

Laying on the floor in front of your daughter is a good idea too. But either way, don't sweat it. Sounds like you're doing a great job and your daughter is happy and well-adjusted. Grow a thick skin when it comes to your mother and sister and follow your maternal instincts.

Answer 4

Hello!

As parents we read and hear sooo much stuff about what our babies should be doing. Everyone wants their baby to thrive and meet certain standards that society sets as "normal". Take it all in stride! From your post it sounds like your daughter is progressing well. Not all babies will perform ALL the activities WE want them to do. Case in point is that some babies never crawl but the learn to walk. Does that mean that something is developmentally wrong with the child. Of course not. Your daughter has her own personallity. She may just not like being on her belly. I don't unless I am sleeping! lol My daughter would scream for dear life everytime I put her on her tummy, so I stopped. Heck I am one of 6 kids. I did not start walking until I was almost 2. (so I was told). My mom took me to the doctor and they told her there was nothing wrong with me. Guess what...I am walking today. I just did not do it at the time others did. I was not retarded infact I was always in advance groups at school. I am sure your daughter will be fine.

The floor is really hard and cold. Try putting her on your bed and play with her at close range. See if you can get her to smile with a toy and playful words.

When you do transition back to the floor put her on something soft but lay her on her back not her tummy. Let her explore the room from the floor on her back. For my dauther I had to do this in the living room. She rarely goes in this room so it seemed "new" to her. As time progresses perhaps not the same day roll her over from her back to her belly and see what happens. I could not lay my dauther directly on her tummy.

Another thing I did was I placed her on my bed and folded a pillow over and placed her ontop of that so that she was partly on her knees but still had to use her hands to hold her head up. She loved it.

I am in my 30's. I have two younger sisters and I do not remember anyone talking about "tummy time 20 years ago! Guess what my sisters are fine and we are fine as well.

Remember take it all in stride. As long as you see her making developmental progress in any area remember she may not complete ALL the tasks we set out. She will roll over when she is ready.

Enjoy your time with her. You are doing fine.

Answer 5

Try lying on the floor with her ... head to head so you can see each other ...

make it a fun happy laughing time ...

sing and tell stories....and even roll around ( setting an example of what she could do)yourself ..

if you have a lush lawn .. take her out and have tummy time on the grass ...

if you show her you are having fun with having your OWN tummy time she may enjoy her tummy time.

I mean can you imagine being tossed down on the ground and seeing mum's legs walking around you and there being little eye contact and interaction .. So in summary I am saying YOU show her how to have fun by having your OWN tummy time with her.

Answer 6

Hello, I am not sure but I think you are asking this question outside of the UK so my answer may or may not help you! I have never heard of tummy time before as here the main focuses are usually (in order) head support, sitting, crawling (but many babies skip this) pulling up on furniture (so standing) and then walking - not so much emphasis on rolling. My neice is 9mths and has never liked being on her tummy so she has gone from sitting unaided to pulling herself up on furniture. She tries to crawl but I think she will skip this altogether and walk next! Have you tried swimming with your baby? This would help strengthen her arms and legs as they love to splash and play and may encourage her to try different positions when out of the water. Anyway, you sound like a brilliant Mum doing what is best for your little one so keep up the good work - remeber you are her mother and mother knows best!!

Answer 7

Don't be so hard on yourself. You are doing something right if your little one is happy! Do all babies have to roll over? My little one never crawled.She's now 3 and she's as perfect as can be! Just the fact that your little one is sitting means that she's developping her motor skills very well. So unless she regresses don't worry. There will always be comments and opinions from every one. Take them like a grain of salt and go with your mom instincts. Your little one will do what she want when she's ready! Have fun with her!

Answer 8

She might not like it, ever. Make her do it anyway. A lot of babies don't like it because it's hard work. Start out with short periods of time and extend them longer and longer over a few weeks. Give her interesting toys to play with, and honestly, if she doesn't like it, tough. She has to do it. It's important to her development to be able to strengthen her arm, gain control of her body and prepare herself to crawl, and then walk. She will not crawl if she cannot build strength in her arms sufficient to support her body. My kids got lots of tummy time. My son was crawling at 5 months. Crawling backwards...but crawling.

Answer 9

um orion are you even a parent? tummy time is essential for baby's not harmful duh! try lying down on your tummy in front of her so you are both head to head and dangle things infront of her or put a ball or other interesting object in between you. don't worry too much about it though because if you stress about tummy time she will pick up on the vibes :) have fun!!

Answer 10

Don't consider that it's your fault. Yes you could have not picked her up as often and made her deal with being on the floor.

She's on target and lacking in one area is OK. It's normal.