My 3 1/2 month old absolutely hates tummy time and thus, doesn't get to work her arms, chest and neck muscles much. I've tried toys, playing with her and putting her on my chest, but she still continues to cry face down and refuses to lift her head. Should I be worried?
2007-03-05 05:54:46 · 18 answers · asked by new mommy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
In arms time counts as tummy time. Carry her around in different positions, bend, clean, do stuff. Use a carrier too, that helps. This will build up her neck strength.
Also try tummy time on dad's tummy while dad lies on his back (dad is less bumpy *lol*) most babies prefer this.
2007-03-05 16:22:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My baby did the EXACT same thing at that age. She is 20 weeks now. I really don't do "tummy time" but I will put her on her stomach on the bed for a bit while I am doing something in the room. Do not worry. She is still young. Some babies just do not like that positon. It is new. When a baby is laying on their backs they can explore and see things. It just took time.
Make sure you do not put her on her tummy after she has eaten.
2007-03-05 14:04:54 · answer #2 · answered by D J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be worried. I mean, ask the ped. when you next take her in for a Dr. appt. but she's only 14 weeks old. She'll get there!
You could see a radical change in her in a week or two or it could be a couple months. Babies develop at different rates.
Personally, I didn't like "tummy time" and my daughter didn't seem to like it either. She had plenty of time to develop her neck and arms on her back or reclined, with me gently playing with her arms as she grasped my fingers...or with a mobile that she could grab at...and eventually she just went gangbusters and was rolling all over the place.
So don't worry and don't force her into a position she hates. All that's going to do is make her cry hard and her poor little face will get all red and snotty and teary and she'll end up crying face down into the floor!
2007-03-05 13:59:54 · answer #3 · answered by ssssss 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I'd let her cry for ten or fifteen minutes in that position a couple of times each day. Just tilt her head slightly to the side so that she gets the idea. If she moves it back herself, then be assured that if she were suffocating she could move her head herself. Most babies do not like tummy time if they sleep on their back or side. She'll eventually get used to it. I'd keep trying to distract her with toys and lay down on your own stomach in front of her so that she sees you doing it too.
2007-03-05 14:39:38 · answer #4 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a Boppy pillow. Put a blanket over it. Put your baby on hher tummy where she's propped up just over the pillow. Put some of her favorite toys in front of her. As always, supervise your daughter (I know you would anyway), since you'd be using a pillow to prop her up.
It makes it difficult to turn over, but it's a little less work than just laying flat on her belly.
In itself, there's nothing to worry about, but since the "back to sleep" campaigne began, it's not uncommon for babies to seriously not like being on their tummies, and some of these babies develop really flat heads. My neice ended up wearing a helmet for about 6 months to round out her head. "Back to sleep" is without a doubt a good thing, but an aversion to tummy time is not uncommon.
2007-03-05 14:14:09 · answer #5 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a 3 month old too and he HATES being on his tummy, 3 minutes tops is all i can get him to stay. but his pediatrician said that it was fine as long as i tried several times a day or as much as i thought was enough. some babies just dont like it, he also said that he will eventually roll around by himself as he gets older and starts trying to move around. so im not even stressing it cuz he just gets more angry tha more i try to put him on his tummy. Im sure they'll get it soon enough.
2007-03-05 17:02:35 · answer #6 · answered by MsChuLa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is too young to worry but one thing that worked for me was sit in a recliner or rocking chair so that you can lean back and lay your baby on her tummy across your chest. This lessens the angle at which she is trying to raise up. This allows her to build her muscles without frustrating her. Besides, she likes lying on mommy.
2007-03-05 14:30:16 · answer #7 · answered by David 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just the frustration of her not being able to go anywhere. Just tough it out, it will change later on. My daughter gets fed up with tummy time sometimes and she's almost 7 months. Just give her breaks every 15 minutes if she's really fussy. Mirrors help too.
2007-03-05 13:59:01 · answer #8 · answered by beanie_babymama 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That sounds pretty normal to me=) None of my children were really happy with Tummy time either. You sound like you are doing everything right, just keep working on it and pretty soon she will get used to it and start lifting her head. Just make sure you do it consistantly and not when she is tired, hungry or dirty....
Good Luck
2007-03-05 13:58:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Don't worry. And consider that if you put things above her while she is on her back she will reach for them strengthening her torso. This will also produce stretching if they are out of her grasp. Stretching will lead to rolling and guess what? She will begin having tummy time on her own.
2007-03-05 14:00:32 · answer #10 · answered by NakasEvilTwin 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋