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Hates Tummy Time

by Z Lamberti
(Gauteng, SA)

My baby hates tummy time. He is 4 months and three weeks. He can sit for a few seconds on his own, but going on his tummy has always been a problem. He suffers from reflux and is on medication for that. But as a result going on his tummy causes him to cry and it is therefore needless to try and teach him to roll. Any advice?

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Hates Tummy Time

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Infant Tummy Time
by: Emily

I also have issues making infant tummy time work. My daughter hates tummy time. We get down on the floor with her, but within 2-3 minutes she's screaming.

She doesn't always even lift her head. She has a very big head and will just not even lift it at times. Other times when she does lift it, she won't keep her arms up and just puts them back towards her legs, then starts crying.

We try to keep her arms bent so she's supporting her upper body but that doesn't last long. One thing I found that lasts a little longer is when she's doing tummy time in her Boppy. I am also looking for suggestions. . . . she can hold her head up very well and I believe will be able to sit unassisted pretty soon.

Encourage Rolling
by: Dalene

From what you say is seems as if your baby's sitting is quite up to standard. Also take heart, acid reflux is usually outgrown as children get older.

On the other hand, when reflux seems to be present, very little seems to help.

I have an Occupational Therapist friend with a daughter who suffered from reflux when she was small. Despite everything they did, her baby kept on crying when put on her tummy.

In the end the wisdom was to continue with the exercises, despite her baby's reflux problems.

You may also try the following techniques to get your baby rolling.

But first, remember to try these stimulation exercises BEFORE feeding, never after. Also try to exercise him whenever he is not irritated or lethargic.

You can try placing your son on his side on an incline, feet at the lower end and head to the raised end of the incline. One way of creating such an incline is by slightly raising a stiff cushion or even a cardboard surface.

Encourage your child to roll in the raised position by placing a few toys right in front of him. Sometimes is helps to have these toys suspended close to him. Very often this encouragement helps immediately.

Another way is to use the same incline, but gently roll your baby down the slope to the bottom to stimulate the rolling movement.

In most cases one of these techniques will work. And keep in mind to allow some time to repeat these exercises. Rarely ever will they work the first time you try them. And as stated above, your child may not necessarily like the exercises, but if you pick your time well you may in fact still get reasonably good results.

Lastly, keep all these exercises playful and fun.

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Submitted by: Dalene

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From what you say is seems as if your baby's sitting is quite up to standard. Also take heart, acid reflux is usually outgrown as children get older. On the other hand, when reflux seems to be present, very little seems to help. I have an Occupational Therapist friend with a daughter who suffered from reflux when she was small. Despite everything they did, her baby kept on crying when put on her tummy. In the end the wisdom was to continue with the exercises, despite her baby's reflux problems. You may also try the following techniques to get your baby rolling. But first, remember to try these stimulation exercises BEFORE feeding, never after. Also try to exercise him whenever he is not irritated or lethargic. You can try placing your son on his side on an incline, feet at the lower end and head to the raised end of the incline. One way of creating such an incline is by slightly raising a stiff cushion or even a cardboard surface. Encourage your child to roll in the raised position by placing a few toys right in front of him. Sometimes is helps to have these toys suspended close to him. Very often this encouragement helps immediately. Another way is to use the same incline, but gently roll your baby down the slope to the bottom to stimulate the rolling movement. In most cases one of these techniques will work. And keep in mind to allow some time to repeat these exercises. Rarely ever will they work the first time you try them. And as stated above, your child may not necessarily like the exercises, but if you pick your time well you may in fact still get reasonably good results. Lastly, keep all these exercises playful and fun.

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