Hello!

Any tips on how to get my 12 week old to enjoy tummy time? He seems to hate  it! I’ve tried putting bright colourful toys in front of him i get down to his level and try playing with him but he screams the whole time like he is in pain and once I roll him over to his back he is happy! He needs lots of tummy time as he is starting to get a flat spot on one side too so any tips would be great!


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  • Make silly sounds, shake rattles, hold up board books… anything that encourages them to lift their head and look. Mirrors are also a great way to keep babies happy during tummy time! In fact, you can find mirrors especially made for tummy time, that you can prop on the floor in front of your baby at eye level.
    Let your baby know you’re there by talking and singing, stroking their back or tickling their hands. If your baby doesn’t like tummy time on the floor, try tummy time on a rolled-up towel, your lap or large ball. Supervise baby during tummy time.


  • Roll up a spit rag and put it under his forearms as he’s lying on his tummy. Helps him get his position up. Otherwise, you just have to keep persisting, for small amounts of time.


  • with my daughter we used one of those neck pillows under her to sort of prop her up and that helped alot.


  • I had torticolos as a teenager when I obviously slept in a wierd position. Not only was my neck painful, my shoulder was too.
    Some babies just do not like tummy time. One baby girl I know was two months old, put on her tummy and she rolled over onto her back herself. We didn’t know whether we were shocked or surpised – probably a bit of both.


  • I think some babies just hate it and you just have to keep persisting.


  • Have you put him in front of a mirror?


  • It might be just too soon I know mine didn’t until they were a certain age.


  • Softer surfaces… We used to put bub on our belly so he could look at us, then we moved to laying him on the sofa with use sitting on the ground in front, then we did the same on our bed, then on floor.

    Also, time upright helps the muscles too.

    If the flatspot is uneven, check for torticolis too (short neck muscle which limits neck movement).


  • Let him be on his back … he is too young atm for this. he will in time learn to roll. you could lay him on his side you need to roll a blanket or towel for behind his back.


  • Hope this has been resolved for you. My children didnt enjoy tummy time either.


  • Did he end up enjoying tummy time?


  • how is he going with it now?


  • How did they end up going on their tummy?


  • Mine hated it too so we just did very little stints constantly


  • Just do a little bit by little bit and they soon get the hang of it


  • How did you go with tummy time?


  • Just trying them with a short amount of time – gradually working up as they tolerate it more.


  • Some babies really like it while others are not all that fond. It is a different sensation and different view on things, so I guess it could be scary for them.


  • All babies are different you just have to have patience and good luck with yours


  • A little bit at a time and gradually they will like it.


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