How do I do tummy time when my baby hates it or barely tolerates it?

The community's strongest tip is to do tummy time on your own chest or shoulder, especially for young babies, keep sessions very short (even 1 minute), and not stress, since babies build neck and rolling strength in their own time and contact napping counts.

Community Answers from Moms(8)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1. 1

   Do tummy time on your body - lying on mom while you're flat or sitting counts and is the easiest way to build neck strength. Even 2-3 minutes is a lot for them.

2. 2

   For a young baby, contact napping on your chest is good tummy time. Placing them on their tummy with a feeding pillow or rolled towel works for short durations - 1 minute is enough. Use flash cards or colourful toys, and avoid battery-operated toys as they over-stimulate. The tiger-in-the-wood pose and airplane hold are easy ways to sneak in tummy time.

3. 3

   Start with about 5 minutes and gradually increase; don't over-stress, it's fine if they take their time.

4. 4

   A water mat helped a lot; a roll rain-maker toy is great as babies follow it everywhere.

5. 5

   Try putting the baby on a flat surface like the bed, have them hold your finger and practice turning around - learning to do something on their own can make them want to do it again.

6. 6

   Some moms barely do floor tummy time and only use it to help release gas; babies still go on to roll and walk on time, so don't force what the baby isn't ready for.

7. 7

   Tummy time builds the sitting and rolling strength babies need.

8. 8

   If the baby turns its head to only one side during tummy time, that's normal - place toys on the other side to encourage looking that way; it usually evens out as they grow.