Tummy time

This is something that I struggled with with Nathan and swore I would be better at with subsequent children. I find myself, however, in the exact same spot with Hannah. I dislike doing tummy time with her for a few reasons.

First - she hates it! She screams most times I put her on her tummy. I've tried doing it right after she eats and later in her wake time as I worried a full tummy might be the problem. It doesn't seem to matter.

Second - we have a very hard floor (tile and laminate over concrete). I've tried putting those foam mats down and then a blanket or mat, but when she bounces her head up and down (crying, of course) it looks so painful!

Third - I never know where to position a blanket / pillow under her chest to help keep her head from banging off the floor. I've read you can do it and her activity mat even came with a little pillow to help with it, but she always looks so uncomfortable with it - either her head hangs past it or it just rests on it. She also tends to push forward with her legs when she's on her tummy so eventually the pillow ends up near her stomach.

So, all of those combined (especially the first two) cause me to put off doing tummy time. I know it's supposed to be important for them to develop head and neck muscles, etc ... but I just don't have the heart to do it that often! I try to do at least a couple of minutes every day but it doesn't always happen. I wonder if his lack of tummy time is why Nathan never crawled?

If I make any breakthroughs in this area I'll keep you posted and if anyone has any ideas they would be much appreciated!