What To Do When Your Baby Hates Tummy Time (After 6 Months)
“Anyone's little one still hate tummy time at 7 months and still manage to not need early intervention?”
ANSWER- I completely understand your frustration, and that is so tough!
Once a baby hits 6ish months, if they're still really hating tummy time, I usually try to build in some modified knee play against something like a cushion on the floor (helping them gently keep knees under hips if needed, like this) rather than continuing to try flat on the floor tummy time & have it turn into tears.
Here's why: modifying traditional tummy time for a child that is super frustrated (& thus not really exploring or learning movement & interacting with their world) can REALLY help break up that pattern of frustration AND....
They get nice movements of upper body extremity strengthening when pressing up they have missed out on during tearful tummy time
They get to work big muscle groups on both sides of the trunk and nexk in prep for crawling
They're strengthening their hip & bottom muscles for crawling & beyond
They get to see & experience their world in a new, positive way, which equals more motivation to do exactly that!
Hope this helps!
ant More?
For developmental questions, tips and guidance related to milestones about tummy time, rolling & sitting, crawling and walking, check out KC’s developmental Masterclasses linked here.
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KC is a pediatric doctor of physical therapy, wife and mom of three! She has spent her career working with children and young adults of all ability levels, and currently specializes in birth to three years.
