11 week old and tummy time

[alexio]

My 11 week old (12 on Monday) absolutely hates tummy time. When propped up with a rolled towel or tummy time pillow he can lift his head but if lying flat on a blanket he just lies there screams, kicks his legs and lifts his bum. He gets so distressed it takes 10+ minutes to calm him down.

Any advice?

I feel like such a shit mom because he has flattening to one side of his head also

I'm trying my best really but I don't think it's enough

Tummy time isn't really the be all and end all, I wouldn't bother.

Just keep trying little and often with the blanket as a prop. My LO was the same and hated tummy time. He is 5 months now and has only just started enjoying tummy time now he can roll and is in control of it!

Thank you, just worried about his head control as when I sit him on my knee it's a bit wobbly still. I've tried contacting HV but no answer as per usual. Little and often is what I'll keep doing

I'm sure there is good reason for tummy time, but remember it's only been a thing for the last few years. Babies have been growing into children who are quite capable of holding their own heads up on their own for all of time. Mine included.

I agree with little and often. Also, keep trying things to make it into a game - lie down in front of him with your face level with his and chat to him / pull faces / play peekaboo etc. He may also like looking in a mirror. And remember tummy time on your chest or across your lap counts too if he is more comfortable with that.

Babies don’t like tummy time because it’s hard work - as he strengthens through practice, he will stop hating it so much. You’re doing great, just keep at it in little chunks here and there. 3 minutes at a time, 5 times in a day will get him going before long.

The reason tummy time didn't used to be a thing is because babies used to sleep on their fronts so had plenty of tummy time.

My little is hated tummy time. Keep trying to do a few mins here and there. Have you tried rolling him over rather than placing? Helped my little one.
Using a beach or exercise ball can also help.

Unfortunately there is no magic fix just things which can help. You will get there so try not to worry but I do know it is easier said than done. Once your little one can grab and play more with things they are usually more into tummy time from my experience

You and recline on the sofa or the bed and and lo can do tummy time on your chest or sling time counts as tummy time.

all of mine hated it.

so after a few times I didn't bother.
they played happily on their activity mats, looking up at dangling things until they learnt to roll then sit

tummy time is the spin off sequel of babies sleeping on their tummies and so spending some time awake in that position too by default.

with the exception of Frasier spin offs are usually pointless

A wobbly head to some degree is definitely expected until about 4-5 months so don't worry. Plenty of time.

Oh and also don't worry about the flat spot. They almost always resolve over time. My first DS had a terrible one and you'd never know now. DS2 does too despite tummy time. His is from sleeping facing in one direction. I'm not worried and HV was unconcerned.

Don't worry, he'll get there. All the props you can buy to encourage tummy time and rolling over are a complete scam. Too much emphasis is put on reaching milestones at certain times. His flat head will sort itself out too x

You don't need to worry about tummy time in the sense of them being 100% on their tummy with no support, but they do need to keep changing position to avoid the flat spot getting worse and to help heal it.

So instead of having baby in a bouncy chair for 45mins you would have baby on the floor for 15mins to have a wriggle, on your lap for 15mins having a cuddle, and then in the bouncy chair for 15mins.

Instead of having the baby in a pram for a nap for 1 hour then get the baby to sleep in a sling for 30 mins, and in the pram for 30 mins.

At night you can pick them up and turn them half way through the night so that they spend less time on the flat spot.

A lot of babies with the flat spot have a stiff neck on one side. Although tummy time is an ideal way to get them to turn their head from one side to the other with no pressure on the back of the head, anything where they are turning their head from side to side (slowly obviously!) is good.

Standing them up to practise 'walking' or 'bouncing' is great, as is baby wearing and taking them to the swimming pool. Any way you are positioning them differently.

Does your baby have reflux by any chance? My HV said that babies with reflux HATE tummy time. I've barely done tummy time with my baby who is 4 months as she screamed the place down. Don't worry about it :)

@DocsRock

Does your baby have reflux by any chance? My HV said that babies with reflux HATE tummy time. I've barely done tummy time with my baby who is 4 months as she screamed the place down. Don't worry about it :)

Yes! He has had reflux since 3 weeks old and been on omeprazole twice a day since and this week I've def noticed a flare up.

@Foreverbaffled

Oh and also don't worry about the flat spot. They almost always resolve over time. My first DS had a terrible one and you'd never know now. DS2 does too despite tummy time. His is from sleeping facing in one direction. I'm not worried and HV was unconcerned.

Think ds one is because he likes to face right when sleeping at night despite me constantly turning. Thank you for the reassurance

Thanks everyone for the advice/reassurance I feel much more confidant and better now.

@alexio My daughter used to scream til she was red in the face and be so upset which was heartbreaking! We've literally done tummy time on the floor a handful of times but she's now 4 months and her neck and head control is very good to the point she can nearly sit up unaided if that's any reassurance?

You do what's best for your baby and if they don't like tummy time, then don't do it! It sounds like you're doing an amazing job! :)

@DocsRock he is exactly the same does it for about 10 seconds then screams so much and takes forever to settle. He can do it for a bit longer with a pillow so I'll just keep going with that.
Sounds like your DC is doing amazing that gives me so much reassurance

Both mine had reflux and hated tummy time. So I didn’t do it. I carried them in a sling a lot, which has the same benefits. Both had wonky heads but they’re fine now. Kids learn to walk/run irrespective of tummy time. Give yourself a break!

@alexio Have you tried reflux milk?

@DocsRock I have previously thought about it but can't use it because of the carob bean gum in it. Ds was previously prescribed carobel for in his bottles but it gave him such a sore stomach and constipated him. Tried gaviscon too and that never worked so he's on 5mg omeprazole morning and night.

DS2 was the same with all of this but didn't have too much of an issue with tummy time

Ours hated tummy time, he has done everything ‘on time’ though like sitting/standing/almost walking now yay (he’s 1on Wednesday).

He also had a really really awkward flat patch on his right side, Chicco meant he was always looking for me that way so head ended up like a parallelogram and I was so worried it would be like that forever. It’s also of completely gone now👀.

@alexio It really helped my little one, that's all. Initially we had constipation but that was solved with cool, boiled water and lactulose.

@DocsRock yeah I have friends who've used it for their LO but for both my boys it's a no go unfortunately. Is do anything not to have to give the omeprazole because he hates it