Tummy time

[Dboi19]

My 16 week old LO really doesn't like tummy time, he will tolerate it for a minute or two but then get upset and cry until I pick him up and comfort him.
Has anyone had similar experiences and what did you do to encourage your LOs to enjoy tummy time? I've tried distracting him with rattles and musical toys, being at eye level and facing him, popping a cushion underneath him (this helps a bit), but he still doesn't like it. My instinct is to comfort him when he cries, not to just preserve and let him cry. I am aware that the 'official' guidelines says he should be on his tummy much longer than he is... He is able to lift and hold his head up but isn't really using his arms too much to do it.
Any advice or reassurance would be great, thanks

I wouldn’t worry too much. Remember he can do his tummy time on you. If you have a sling or carrier then it develops the same muscles every time they peer around. I’ve never bothered with specific tummy time with my boys apart from on my tummy and in the sling. They’re fine!

That's really reassuring, thank you! My LO is in a sling for an hour or two every day as we walk a lot as well as spending time on my chest

My dd hated tummy time so i never really persevered if she was crying

I really wouldn't worry re tummy time and the pressure to do so many hours a day to aid their development! My little one was the same, not liking it much, crying after being on her tummy for thirty seconds. She hardly did any tummy time and she is doing really well. She rolls, crawls. Don't worry at all, if LO doesn't like it, then don't force it

Babies can do tummy time whilst they are on you. As long as they are lifting their head then they are using the same muscles.
I bought my baby a Fisher Price tummy time mat thing, it's got a crinkle pad with a squeaker and rattle and bells and then there is a mirror which stays up right. Once my baby figured out if he lifts up his head he can see a reflection, he started to enjoy tummy time instead of just winging at me

I stopped bothering with it waited tilhe could roll and wanted to do tummy time himself.. He started rowing at 5 months and we used a sling. As a ftm I was worried about tummy time, but then realised its pointless just upsetting your baby every day when they don't want to do it!