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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Tummy time trouble

16 replies

PossetFeatures · 21/03/2011 16:16

I have a 6 week old DS and whenever I go to put him on his tummy on his activity mat, or a blanket, for 'tummy time', he just really screams and cries and sort of flails around (obviously not enjoying it), and i'm finding it really distressing to watch. Only have him on his tum for a max of a few minutes, but was just wondering if i'm doing something wrong at all, and whether him being distressed is normal?

Have been told that tummy time is important, and am already worried about DS spending too much time on his back as already one side of the back of his head is getting a bit flat, so trying to make sure he doesn't spend too much time on this side.

What to do? First time mum here!

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tigana · 21/03/2011 16:21

don't worry about it.
DS hated tummy time... he is a fine and health 5yo now.

Keep trying every so often, but don't make him do it if he doesn't like it.

whoamamma · 21/03/2011 16:25

My 5 week old DD is the same - hates tummy time with a passion. Will just lie to HV about how long she spends on her mat...

tellyaddict · 21/03/2011 16:25

All of mine hated it too until much older (5 months or more) and even then not for long. You can do 'tummy time' by having your DS on his tummy on your chest, which is what I did. He will enjoy being close to you and it will help with his head shape, especially if you alternate sides. Congratulations on your DS!

gourd · 21/03/2011 16:31

My LO is 6 months and still hates being on her tummy. She has been sitting unaided since she was 21 weeks old so she's hitting the milestones fine, and I'm not worried. Some babies never crawl anyway. I'd not worry about it. My DD will reach for toys that are too far away and almost go into a crawl position, flipping herself onto her front, head over heels, before she notices that she's gone onto her front and starts to cry! Eventually I'm sure she will crawl in order to reach a toy, but me putting her onto her front only results in screams and tears so I don't do it any more. There doesn't seem to be any need to.

Original poster

PossetFeatures · 21/03/2011 16:40

Thanks for reassuring me everyone! Will try not to worry too much then, and will not make DS go on his tummy for too long at any one time. He does spend lots of time on my and DP's chest, so that has to help surely?

OP posts:

hildathebuilder · 21/03/2011 16:44

Sorry but I vehemently disagree with this. It will probably be fine, it usually is, but if there are any issues with development the lack of tummy time slows things down further. I listened to similar comments when my ds was younger. I am now desperately trying to catch up for lost time with physio. Now it may be my ds has other problems, but I didn't know about that 5 or 6 months ago. So please keep trying at least daily.

InspirationalBreadbin · 21/03/2011 18:53

My DS hated tummy time until he realised he could lift his head up. Then he loved it. Just keep trying every day, if only for a min.

monkoray · 21/03/2011 21:27

my DS hated tummy time so we stopped doing it. He was fine on his tummy once he learnt to roll (around 5 months). Then he knew he could get off his tummy. He had no problems learning to crawl and his neck strength has always been good.
Don't do it if it distresses your baby or you.

befuzzled · 21/03/2011 21:33

I have 3 boys, all hated tummy time, didn't do with any, all fine, sat, crawled, walked etc at the normal times (youngest not done yet)

Not saying don't do it, but if no developmental issues I can't see ime that it is necessary.

Cosmosis · 22/03/2011 10:07

I second the idea of doing it on your chest, it means they are likely to like it more as they are looking at lovely mummy or daddy. But don't worry, all the babies I know hate tummy time, there is nothing unusual about that!

ShowOfHands · 22/03/2011 10:11

I didn't bother with it as dd hated it. She was very rarely on her back though as she hated that too (unless asleep). She was in a sling most of the time, on our chests on her tummy or being carried facing outwards. She managed to meet all of her developmental milestones on time or early.

Vegasgirl · 22/03/2011 16:12

My DD hated it, so as a result I never did it very often. At 5 months I put her on her tummy and she started doing push ups straight away so it doesn't seem to have made any difference. I'm glad I didn't push it because she likes it now.

MrBloomEatsVeggies · 22/03/2011 19:51

My DS2 hated tummy time, but we persisted because his neck muscles were weak. He learned to tolerate love it.

Tigresswoods · 22/03/2011 20:40

Don't sweat it putting your LO down on their tummy. Have him on your chest and recline. You will all be happier, in a few weeks he will be happier.

Katy1368 · 23/03/2011 23:29

Don't worry - I wasn't even told about tummy time untill DD was 9 weeks and by then it was a bit late!! She hated it so I never bothered much with no probs.

sims2fan · 24/03/2011 08:04

I have read (and this may not be fact, but is what I read), that tummy time has come to be advised because these days babies spend so much time squashed up in car seats that certain muscles don't develop properly. So therefore I would assume that if you don't have a baby sat in a car seat all day then tummy time is unnecessary.

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