Tummy Time Necessary at 14 Weeks Old?

My daughter did not like tummy time either. We would put her on her stomach for about 5 minutes at a time and she "tolerated" that okay. She also preferred to be on her back. Even though my daughter did not spend too much time on her stomach she was crawling by 5 months and by 10 months she was walking with no problems. I think there is a lot more to development than just tummy time so I wouldn't be too concerned at this point. Just do the best you can. It is a good sign he is able to roll over one direction though.

My son hated it as well. I think most babies do... I used to lay my son across my legs on his tummy while I was sitting on the couch. On the floor I would place abstract toys to give him something to look at. If he became fussy I was able to gently bounce him and pat his back. Soon, tummy time became fun time!

It is great that he can already roll over from his tummy to his back. Can he roll from his back to his tummy? It is important for a baby to do tummy time so that he learns to turn his head when laying on his tummy in case he rolls over in his sleep.

Tummy time is also important to building muscles for holding his head up, along with sitting, crawling and so on. Many infants do not like tummy time at first. I would say try it everyday, once or twice, maybe just for about 5 minutes at first. Eventually he will come around.

Hi K.,
My son is 6 mo. (25 weeks) old and JUST started to like tummy time in the past week. He always cried and/or rolled over when we put him in his tummy. We kept doing it, just not for very long. He's been able to do the "baby pushup" for a while and suddenly discovered that he could move while he was on his tummy. That seemed to be a turning point for us. I don't think a lot of tummy time is important for a 14 week old, but some is probably helpful.

Hi K.,

I just wanted to take a minute and respnd to your post about your little guy.

When I had my little boy I also had a 18 month old at home and found it much easier to get on with day to day activities when he was content. If he was laying on the floor happily I thought we were doing great! However, when I took him in for his 4 month check up I got a real wake up call. Our ped. checked him out and sent us to a cranial specialist. Apparently, from not having enough tummy time he had developed quite the flat spot on his head. Looking back at pictures it was so obvious his head was extremely flat in the back but at the time my husband and I saw nothing.

I remember having to go to the specialist and she measuerd his head and told us he was just over the border line of needing to wear a helmet 23 hours a day for up to a year! My heart broke thinking something so simple could have been prevented with darn tummy time (no matter how much he hated it!) We worked with him for a month and believe me he was never on his back again except for sleeping and thank goodness it rounded out enough that he didn't need to wear the helmet.

I know all kids are different but just keep this in mind. You can check out the website http://www.cranialtech.com/ to see what you can do to make it more enjoyable for both of you!

If you have any questions feel free to contact me! I wish I would have known sooner!

A.

I always thought it was pretty necessary, but you are describing the way my son (now 8 months old) was with tummy time. I couldn't believe it b/c I'd never seen a little one so HATE tummy time (he's my 3rd baby). Anyway, he was sitting up by 6 months and now at 8 months is cruising happily on anything & everything (even walking across the living room using his walker toys w/ wheels). He *still* hates being on his tummy and refuses to even try crawling. I think he's just going to be one of those odd ball kiddos who skips crawling in favor of walking altogether!

So, I don't think you should panic. I belong to a message board with 40+ other moms with kids my son's age (we went through our pregnancies together, too!) and my son is one of maybe 3 or 4 of the babies who never wanted to be on his tummy - so, they're the minority, but they *do* exist! I'd say watch out for the flat spot mentioned below just in case, but by no means are you doing anything wrong if he just hates it!

Hello K.,
I had the same problem with my son, he will be 5 months old on the 18 of this month. He only just started to have a little bit of fun on his tummy, he still doesn't like it that much, i'm lucky if i get 15 mintues of it with him. What i did with him is i would hold him in my arms while he sat up in them, that helps with the neck and the back to develope, also i went out and got a bumbo chair, and that helped with the back and neck as well. Also when i would change his diaper, after i was done i would hold his hands and lift him into a sitting postion, that helps him learn how to hold his head. I hope that his helps you out a bit. Good Luck.
S.

i know the feeling my son who is now 7 months hated to be on his tummy and i felt horriable when the doc when ask me about his tummy time. dont sweat it. i used to let my son lay on me on his tummy and he would push with his arms. tummy time doesnt always mean he has to be on the floor. he loves to stand thats his thing even when he was 3 months old so dont sweat it just find others way for tummy time

I think your ped should be able to answer that. I am not sure if they consider it critical, but with my little ones (born full term - late even - and healthy) I start them very short sessions of tummy time basically from day 1. I know so many that don't like it that I figure if they get used to it early, they will at least learn to accept it which I'd say was basically true. They would get tired or frustrated after being on their tummies for extended time, but would accept it at least for short times from a very early age. One thing I'd do to help them to enjoy tummy time more was to put a boppy pillow under their armpits/chest with their arms over it. This helped prop them up enough that they could see a little more. Just by lifting their necks slightly, they could turn their heads before having full control/strength. Their arms were in a position that allowed them to press themselves up slightly if they pushed into the ground too. They aren't really in a good position for rolling over, but it worked well for keeping them on their tummies and reasonably content. There is also space to place a picture mat or small toys under their heads and within arms reach so they can interact a bit in that position. You can get in front of them on your tummy too and talk to them and encourage them to stretch their neck up and build muscles.

God Bless you moma! You are doing a wonderfull thing. Tummy time for a preme at 14 weeks is in no-way a have to. My 2 yr old was a preme and until she was 5 months old tummy time was a joke for me. She crawled at 8.5 months and walked at 14 months. I wouldn't force him. Wait a couple more weeks then put a comforter folded on the floor to lay him on. If you can a full length mirror ( from wal-mart) would be great to put long ways on the wall. Putting him on the blanket while on his tummy can give him comfort and safty. The mirror which should run about $10 will give him the edge to check out that other baby. In the process he will get his tummy time in. :) I had to do this with my DD. It was great after about 3 weeks of the mirror I replaced the comfortar with a childs blanket. After 1.1 months she was playing with the baby in the mirror. It takes time. With preme's time is all you need. Just let him tell you when he is ready for something. God Bless and I hope this helps you as it did me. Keep us posted I ould love to know how he is doing.

For a little one that was a preemie, yes tummy time is very important for development. My daughter was born at 31 weeks and it was stressed upon us to do tummy time. She got early intervention that gave my husband and I tips on what types of things to do with her. She is now 14 months old and the early intervention team that she had has said due to her doing so much tummy time she is completely caught up. Plus if he lies on his back to much his head will become misshapen. Please let me know how this goes and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. I have several books that the EI gave me that helped greatly. Good luck and God Bless.
S.

My daughter (who is now 9months) never liked tummy time. She would get frustrated and just cry. Just up until maybe 3 wks ago since shes rolling over like crazy, she likes to be on her tummy but still not for very long. I was concerned so I asked her ped, and she told me not to worry about it. She is still strengthening her muscles and some babies just dont like to be on her tummy.
I would still every now and then try to get your son to be on his tummy, but if he doesnt like it, dont force it. Your son will be fine!
My daugther can lift her head and everything even though she didnt have "tummy time".

I see you work from home, Im loooking into that, is it from a previous co. you worked for or a job specifically to stay at home? Im looking for advice! :)

My son who is now 1yr hated tummy time too. I gave up on it after a few times of him screaming while he was on his stomach. I don't feel that this affected him at all. He didn't crawl but he did scoot around on his butt which his doctor said was perfectly fine. As long as he seems to be doing fine with everything else I wouldn't worry too much about tummy time if he doesn't like it.

i started the tummie time when my kids were 2 months old. It will build up their muscles and get them ready to crawl in the next few months.

Tummy time has only been popularized since most babies started spending their time lying on their backs in cribs, bouncers, carseats, swings, etc. If your baby spends most of his time being held or in a sling, it will not be necessary.

TRy rolling up a towel, using a pillow (or boppy) or over your legs and supporting his upper body with them. Lots of babies do not like flat on the floor tummy time, but but like it better if their upper body is propped up a bit. This will still help them with strengthening. Also, only a few minutes at a time, most resources now suggest 5 for 5. 5 times a day for 5 minutes each.
Best of luck!
K.