Tummy Time - They hate it! Now what?

So, you've tried tummy time and your baby doesn't like it!  What next?

First, take a good look at tummy time.  Is your baby crying after 30-60 seconds of being there or are they starting to cry even as you start putting them down on their tummy or is your baby just fussing but not really crying?  Is your child consolable or distractible while they are on their tummy, can you play or sing with them to get them to stop crying?

If your child is just fussing but not really crying, persist, persist, persist!  They are telling you they don't really like it but will tolerate it.  Try to bring out a special toy only when they are on their tummy, when they are not on their tummy the special toy goes away.  This will make tummy time a little bit special and hopefully you will be able to build time when they are happy there and not fussing or crying.

If your child is starting to cry after a short time (30-60 seconds) congratulations!  You have a starting point to work from.  After you put your child on their tummy try to play or sing with them to extend the time by about 30 seconds every day.  Before you know it they will be spending 5 minutes or so on their tummy.

If your child is starting to cry right when you put them down and they are inconsolable until you pick them up try the following:

1. Call your Early Intervention provider and schedule an evaluation.  A little help from a physical therapist might be just the trick.  Even if your child doesn't quality for Early Intervention services at this time you will pick up some good hints and tricks to try from the therapists that do the evaluation.

In Colorado this is the link to contact Early Intervention:  http://www.eicolorado.org/

In other states if you Google the term "Early Intervention" and your state name the contact information should come up easily.

2. Call your doctor and see if you can schedule an appointment to talk about anything medical that might be making tummy time uncomfortable or difficult for your baby.

3. Pull out the bubbles!! 

I don't know why but bubbles are a magic and babies will tolerate positions when you are blowing bubbles that they won't otherwise.  Flashlights are another good, novel trick to get them to stay on their tummy longer.

4. Try changing locations to anther room to see if a different spot on the floor is more comfortable.

5. Pull out a special toy, possibly the babies favorite toy at the time, and use it only when your baby is on their tummy.  This will keep the toy special and exciting and may help distract your baby while they are on their tummy.

Whatever you do continue to persist!