Frustrated 17 week old DD - advice please!

[milkwagon]

My DD is 17 weeks and rolls from her back to her front and props herself up on her arms . She then absolutely wails as she doesn't know what to do next and seems so frustrated. Any tips on where I go from here with her?

I don't think there is anything you can do - my DD exactly the same rolled at 4 months and frustrated that she couldn't crawl. She's been going up onto hands and knees for weeks (now 7 months) but hasn't quite got crawling. They have to learn for themselves and strengthen the muscles gradually.

I'm at this stage with my DD too...she's 20 weeks. As soon as I put her down on her playmat she rolls onto her front and gets stuck! A couple of times I've seen her roll back onto her back and sometimes I see her trying to get onto her knees. But like with anything they just need to practice, get stronger and eventually they'll get it. But it is frustrating...for them and for us. I remember my DS going through this stage...as soon as I left the room I'd hear him straining and crying and I knew he'd got stuck again. I seemed to spend my life picking him up and putting him on his back! No advice though...it's just a (slightly amusing) phase they go through!

Maybe you could put your hands across the soles of her feet to give her something to push against as a first step to moving forwards?

Thanks folks - much appreciated, she already pushes against me if I'm kneeling next to her so maybe I'll do what TheGoldFish has suggested to help her feel like she's getting somewhere!

Might be worth seeing if you can find a baby yoga or baby gym class as they will give you more ideas of exercises to help her get mobile. Then you can come back and ask for advice on how to keep her still!