5 month old used to love tummy time, now hates it, what can I do?

Question

I need suggestions. My son used to LOVE tummy time, even when he was a 2 month old colicky baby, but as of the last 2 months or so he hates it. I show him toys, make silly sounds, get on the floor with him, but all he does is kick his legs and scream his little head off. He loves to be in his bouncer and since 3 1/2 months when you hold his hands he will "walk" one foot in front of the other. So I am usually doing that with him, which is fine, but does this mean he won't crawl? My mom says that there is something wrong with babies that don't learn to crawl, what do you think of that? I find it ridiculous.

Back to my question, how do I get him to enjoy tummy time again? Any suggestions would be wonderful.

Thank you in advance ;)

Answer 1

He may not crawl -no biggie.

There is a persistent rumour that not crawling is linked to dyslexia.  You will even find it in relatively reputable parenting mags.  Not only is it not true, I have seem numerous experts say that they can't even find a reference to a single study that statement could be based on!

I wouldn't force the tummy time, as long as he is off his head walking etc.

http://www.drgreene.org/body.cfm?id=21&a...

Rolling over, sitting without support, cruising (walking along furniture), and walking independently are important developmental milestones. Crawling isn't.

Crawling isn't even mentioned in my favorite pediatric development textbook!

This seems strange since, of any of these behaviors, crawling is most associated with babies. The truth is many babies never crawl! They do need to find some way to move across the floor. Each will do so at unpredictable times and in distinctive ways. Your grandson may be a scooter, one who likes to stay upright and scoot across the floor on his bottom. Many babies prefer creeping, or wriggling forward on the stomach. Many children will crab-crawl, moving backwards. And, of course, many children will get up on all fours and crawl forward in the traditional way. Each child is unique.

Some adults are concerned that children who don't crawl in the traditional way will be less coordinated. This is a myth. As long as the baby begins to move across the floor using each arm and each leg, there is no cause for concern.

I'm reluctant to mention time frames, but somewhere between six and ten months I expect babies to discover some way to move horizontally across the floor to get desired objects. Obstacles to this include the child's not spending enough time on the floor, using an infant walker (which often eliminates the desire to learn crawling behaviors -- infant walkers are bad for proper development), having toys brought to the infant, pushing the child to learn to crawl, and physical problems such as muscle weakness. If babies actually crawl, it usually begins at around 8 to 10 months.

Crawling – and moving in general - may be encouraged by spending time on the floor with the baby (called “tummy time” by many parenting resources). Consider placing favorite toys just out of reach, putting a dog-bone pillow or a rolled towel under his chest when he's on his stomach to keep his head up so he can look around and enjoy himself more when on his stomach, or putting a hand behind his feet to give him something to push against if he tries to crawl.

Answer 2

Some babies don't learn to crawl because they do have a developmental delay that hinders their cross body movements.

Tummy time is just for babies that spend all day in carseats, bouncers, cribs, on their backs under floor gyms, etc.  Carry him on your hip in a sling and he will get strong and you won't have to worry about flat head.  I NEVER did tummy time with any of my children, and they all walked at 11 months, and crawled at 8 months.

Answer 3

My 11-week old daughter hates tummy time too.  My pediatrician says that even if she cries, I NEED to put her on her stomach several times a day, even if it's just for 5 minutes at a time.  It's important that she learn how to roll over by herself.  

How long do you make him stay on his tummy?  I would start with just 5 minutes at a time, then gradually increase the time.  Also try to keep the baby off of her back when she is not sleeping/getting a diaper change/changing clothes.