Belly Time

My oldest daughter hated tummy time, too. I used to make her do it and she would just cry and cry. I finally gave up and only made her do it once in a while. I would put her on her tummy for like five minutes a day and she hated it. However, she got used to it over time she started to like it. She's three now. I had the same issue with my second (she's one) and I did the same thing. They were fine in their development.

I also had children like that so I would lay on the floor and put them on my belly and play with them. That seemed to be better. You can also get one of those fun water play mats that they have and maybe the distraction will help.
Good luck,
J.

Keep in mind that your baby isn't crying because she's in pain but is likely crying because it is a new experience,one that separates her from mom's arms for a few moments, and it's a new physical sensation.

Your baby won't immediately take to anything new the first few times. At only 2 months, she'll likely only tollerate two to three minutes of tummy time at a stretch. But it's important to repeat the process every day until your little one becomes more comfortable with the experience.

As long as she's in a safe area and you're near by, she'll gradually understand that there are some advantages to being on one's tummy.

And remember that there's a lot of love behind what you're doing.

You could try laying on you back with her on your chest/stomach that way she will still feel close with you. You can sing or make faces or read to her that way. Then when she's comfortable with that, you could get down on the floor with her and lay down so that she can still see you.

Hi M. ~
My son is now 8 mos old and he hated belly time too. My friends with kids suggested the Boppy, but he hated that more! I just tried once in awhile so he wouldn't be upset and he really didn't start to enjoy his belly time until about 6 or 7 mos of age. His development has been fantastic and he is already starting to pull himself to a standing position, so don't worry. Just do what's right for your baby and she'll be just fine...

Try the couch. That is how we started with my son. It is softer. Or, you can try putting her on a boppy. Put the bobby on the floor, and lay her on her tummy on it. That worked for us also. It gives her a little extra support for lifting her head. It will take some time, but she will get it.

Hi M.-
I have a 5 & 1/2 month old who also hated tummy time. She hated it so much that she learned to roll from her tummy to her back rather quickly. She does better now, and will stay longer on her tummy and she is strong. I was really worried for a while, but I teach kindergarten to ESL students and somehow all my students learn how to sit and walk and all that before kindergarten- even though many of the parents of my students have never heard of tummy time. Keep trying to put her on her tummy, but if she gets really mad I would let her up. All the books and info gets overwhelming!

I also am breast feeding, and it hasn't been easy. Two things that have helped me are Fenugreek it is an herb that you can get at health food stores. Take 3-4 capsules three times a day. The other is Mother's Milk Tea- drink it three times a day. These recommendations were given to me by the lactation consultants at Regions. I think as long as your baby is gaining weight and is content. You don't have to worry. (If your not sure about the weight, ask your baby's doctor if you could bring her in for a weight check.) I did this a number of times the first 8 weeks or so. I think that I finally relaxed a little bit, when she hit 4 months. I hope this helps. Having a baby is so much fun, but there is always something to worry about. Best of luck!!

My son was the same way, and most babies I have been around were too. I would put him on his belly, but he would scream. I sometimes let him for a minute, until he got really upset. He did everything normally still, and I don't think it would have made much difference. He loved to stand up and jump at that age (if you held under his arms... he would jump until your arms hurt... pass him on to the next person until they got worn out, and then the next... )and I think his muscle development was fine. They are all different. As long as she is doing well holding her head up, I think she is fine. Whether it is laying on her stomach, or standing, or even sitting in your lap, really doesn't matter, as long as she uses the muscles.

My son is now 17 months old but when he was 2 to 5 months he also hated being on his tummy. I tried putting several blankets underneath him, enticing him with the fisher price ocean wonder play set. The one where they have a mat underneath with mirrors and toys and it has an overhead toy bar too. Sorry i do not know what they are called. But the point is nothing worked. I even put him on his tummy on my lap and that would work to a point but not for long. But here is the good news, although he never liked it at that age and he did not have a lot of tummy time he was not developmentally delayed at all. he crawled on time, walked on time etc...So don't worry too much about it.

I own a baby boppy that is very small not the one used for nursing,but this is small enough for the baby to lay on, it is only four inches thick and has toys attached to it so they have something to grab or look at. It is in very bright colors and I think my MIL got it at Babies R Us. Hope this works

Start with small incrimants of time. Example for the first couple of days only put her on her tummy for a couple minutes. Gradually increase the amount of time she's on the floor. Soon she'll have no problem for long stretches of time...hopefully. I know it doesn't work for everyone.

Otherwise like others have said, put her on your stomach. I've heard doctors say that is also a very good way to do it because they will try to look at you - giving you the same effect as if they were on the floor.

Good luck.

Hi M.!

I am a new mom too, to a little boy who is 6 months old. As far as belly time goes, I know your struggle, he hates it too! He actually sleeps on his belly now and loves that, but hates to be put on it to play. What I have found to work is after he is fed and the happiest time of day is a good time, so morning for him. I try to lay down with him and dangle things a little above his head and laugh and giggle and play music or if you have a dog, I am sure your little girl loves watching the dog or other animal and that helps distract from the tummy time. The other thing that really helped was to let him fuss for a minute or so and he would settle and then look around, I just hate seeing him fuss, but it was surprising to me how quickly he accepts it and then starts to play or hold things. So, I think it will get better for you for sure, 2 months is really young and it is good to do tummy time, but you have a few months to keep trying!! Also, just a note, I found the best book, that I wish I would have read when before I had a baby, but got it around 2 months after he was born, it is the Baby Whisperer, it has great tips and advice for scheduling and other methods to soothe and train your baby to sleep other than "crying it out" which I just can't do. So, don't know if that is what you are interested in, but you can also find forums on www.babywhisperer.com of other moms and tips of feeding and scheduling and all sorts of info, really good stuff! Anyway, good luck!

Two words! Boppy pillow ;) they are wonderful. YOu can use them for belly time, back time, feeding, sitting up, etc. They are the greatest. My 11 month old likes to lay on it still. I cant put it away because he looks for it.
They are around $25 but well worth it.

You could try using a boppy pillow. Hang her arms over the front, that will keep her from being right on the floor and if she can hold her head up, she'll be able to look at things. Maybe that will help her get used to being on the floor.

I also would use the boppy pillow for her to lay on. I would also try laying on the floor and facing her during tummy time. Sing songs, play with toys, and just be there with her! It will become a great time for both of you.

Wow! Two months is young. I couldn't get my second daughter to lay on her stomach for anything until she was about eight months old. But she had sporatic acid reflux all during early infancy, which probably was made worse when we laid her on her stomach. This could be your darling's problem too. I would advise that as long as she seems to be developing physically and intellectually at a normal pace and is appropriately socially interactive for her age, then let her decide what's appropriate.

M., My daughter hated being on her belly too. You just have to let her cry and fuss. Eventually she will figure out how to play like that or flip over. My daughter learned how to flip herself over early due to the fact that I would leave her on her tummy no matter how much she would get mad at me.

This is new for your child and so because it's new they don't want it. Belly time is good for the development of your child but simply plopping them down on the floor won't do it. Taking some time with your child is all that is necessary for the "newness" not to be a scary or unwanted thing.

What I have done for my son, (and every other child I have taken care of at the infant stage which is many since I run a home daycare -15 yrs- and have helped raise my nieces and nephews), was to start by putting him on my knees first for 5 - 10 mins. 3 or 4 times a day. I would swing my knees or bounce just the same as I would if I was holding him in my arms. Then I would get on the floor once or twice a day, lay him on my chest and raise him up in the air with my arms all the while making faces! He loved that! After a few weeks we progressed to my laying him on the floor with me on my back very close to his head and having conversations. Finally, I would lay him on the floor by himself with a few toys scattered round so he would need to reach a bit for them.

This seemed to be a very nice and smooth transition for babies whether they were tummy-sleepers or back-sleepers (I've had both over the years). They didn't ever get the feeling they were "alone" which we all know they are not but it is their perception because they can not see you.