Tummy Time

[Pillowcase8]

My 12 week old doesn’t particularly like tummy time and will lift his head occasionally but either dribbles or licks the play mat, he also puts his arms behind him rather than keep them in front. I haven’t been too concerned about it as he has good head control when sat upright, but today in a baby class when we did tummy time the other baby’s seemed to have better arm and head control. I’ve tried putting a blanket or towel under his chest but it doesn’t really help.
Is this something I should be worried about?

In short nope. Don't worry about it.

Lying on your chest having a cuddle also counts as tummy time if baby prefers that.

All babies develop at their own pace

@Twizbe brilliant, thank you for your reassurance! He has got great head control when he is lying on my chest, it’s just the floor/play mat that he doesn’t seem to like.

I found that having some tummy time activities to swap in and out helped to keep my little one engaged and gave him something to focus on/want to look at - I’ve used a tummy time mirror, infinity mirror (mirror with little led lights in that looks like a tunnel when turned on), tummy time roller cushion and an aquarium tummy time water mat. It also helped his head control considerably when I started bringing his arms together under his chin - so he is propped up on his forearms and able to balance better. He does this himself now. My mum however finds it hilarious that we have so many tummy time props - it never used to be a thing and we’re all ok so I wouldn’t worry too much! Plus all babies develop at such different speeds and I bet your little one is excelling in other areas of development.

Thanks @HedgerowRobin! I put him in front of a mirror to see if that would work and it did initially but he then went back to licking the floor
I’ll have a look at a water mat and a tummy time cushion. I worry that I’m not doing it enough with him but I feel bad when his face is planted into the floor.

Mine hated it and did the same as yours (face planted and arms backwards). I didn’t push it and they are absolutely fine sitting up crawling etc.

Incidentally baby groups are for mums to socialise but too often they become fora for everyone to anxiously compare their baby's development with others. If this is the case for you, just meet a friend for a coffee or something instead

My DS has only just started liking tummy time at 6 months!! But he's also now sitting up virtually unsupported and has amazing coordination for his age, much further along than his sister was! All kids develop differently, don't worrry yourself about what other kids are doing.

My two DS are 21 and 23. Over 6ft and incredibly healthy. 'Tummy Time' wasn't a thing when they were babies and they've managed okay!

My little guy is 7 months and absolutely hates tummy time die to reflux. He cried for the first 5 months when we tried. He can roll now so when ever we put him on his tummy he just rolls of🙈he can sit unsupported and it doesn't appear to have done him any harm.

Both mine loathed tummy time. They're fine now!
They used to prefer to lie on my chest and push themselves up to look at my face headbutt me in the nose