6 month old still hates tummy time

[CJ1990]

Hi ladies,

Just wondering if this is normal! My 6 month old still hates tummy time. We manage about 2 minutes a day as she just cry’s or puts her head on the floor until I turn her over.

She’s not rolling yet and I’m wondering if this is why, and if it will effect her going into crawling.

Not sure what I can do to help her! Can’t put her on her tummy if she hates it but I’ve heard you really should be doing lots of tummy time!

Try tummy time on top of you? Not all tummy time has to be on the mat.

I really liked the MamaOT website for all aspects of baby physical development. This post sounds right up your streetmamaot.com/tips-for-making-tummy-time-a-little-less-um-miserable/

I used to have to lie down with mine or have him on his tummy on my chest. He hated it but he's 4 now and is perfectly fine, try not to worry to much

Both my DC hated tummy time so I didn't do much of it. Neither rolled much at all, although they both sat up early (much preferred this to being on their tummies), and both crawled fairly late, at 9 months. DC1 didn't crawl much though DC2 was a very fast crawler. They were both walking at 12 months.

They are now 9 and 6 and great at seimming, dancing and gymnastics so I can honestly say the lack of tummy time had no adverse long-term impact whatsoever! Don't force it if they don't like it and don't worry about the rolling.

Ds10 months hated being on his tummy still not keen on that position. He likes to be upright and is very strong upright. I have a small flat toy that i put under his front to encourage tummy time that plays music he would tolerate tummy time with this for a bit.

My DS hated being in his tummy. He hardly spent any time on his front at all as he just cried. HV told me to lay baby across my knees on his back and he would try and lift his head and legs (like a little crunch) which uses his core muscles.
DS didn’t crawl until he was 10.5 months as he wouldn’t get himself onto his front into a crawl position but he was standing confidently at 8 months.
He started walking bang on his first birthday so it hasn’t held him back.

Don’t know if many babies that like it. Think my baby started being okay with it around that time just before crawling, but each baby is different and try not to judge yours against others- they all have different preferences. As a ftm I tried to force tummy time with an upset baby. There’s no need for it. Have you got a carrier? I found that that was an alternative to developing those muscles and made me feel better

My baby was rolling at 5 months, crawling at 7- hit milestones spot on. Still waiting for him to walk without holding my hand though at 14 months- he’s a cautious baby. Really forget about the milestones (within reason) your baby will do things when they are good and ready and the longer they’re not on the move the better! I’m currently exhausted

my dd hated tummy time too. She only rolled at 6 mo ths but now at 7 months shes rolling both ways confidently, sitting unaided and crawling backwards and round in circles. Not quite got the ha g of forward yet! as long as she has plenty of time on her back she will roll over when shes ready, and once shes can roll both ways she wont mind being on her front

I tried twice and gave up. Nothing bad happened. I asked my mother if it was a thing when we were little. She looked at me . I really wouldn't bother.

Wtf is “tummy time”?! It certainly wasn’t a thing when my children were babies, and they’re both now adults who seem to manage to walk and run around perfectly okay!
If your baby doesn’t like it, I don’t understand why you persist with it. You aren’t going to cause some terrible developmental problem by not doing it, for goodness’ sake!
I think modern mums are being horribly pressurised to conform to a competitive child rearing protocol - please, just relax and enjoy your baby in your own way. They’ll grow up anyway regardless!

Before the "back to sleep" campaign tummy time wasn't a thing because it wasn't needed - most babies got plenty of time on their fronts. Obviously the campaign has had a significant on reducing SIDS rates which is extremely valuable, but had the slight disadvantage of meaning that babies do get less opportunity to strengthen some key muscles which can hold back physical development. So tummy time (which doesn't need to be flat on the floor of course - see the link I posted above) became helpful as a counterbalance. No point making a misery of it but worth trying to find ways to fit it in that work for your baby.

I spent a fair bit of time lying on my back with my baby lying on his tummy on my shins "flying" - good for his muscle development (and mine!) and a great opportunity for lots of giggles.

My first two both hated being on their tummies so I never really bothered with it. The first was walking at 12mo and the second at 10mo. Try not to stress about it.

You could try lying down in front of the baby so you’re face to face. Or lie her at right angles over your lap.

I once read very interestingly that in cultures where babies are carried in a sling most of the day they still develop at the same stage as babies in the western world.

Mine never done tummy time didn't roll up sat up at 4 & 5 months crawled at 7 months for both and walked at 11 &10 months. Do not worry about it don't force your baby to do it if she's upset

I went to a baby sensory group for 6 weeks. And I bought a blow up beach ball that I put my LO on. I put her on her belly on the ball and she has no choice but to lift her head up and she loves it !