Tummy Time: When to Start, How Long and How to Make It Easier
Tummy time builds your baby's neck, shoulder and core strength. Find out when to start, how much to aim for and what to do if your baby hates it.
Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.
Tummy time means placing your baby on their tummy while they are awake and being watched. It builds the strength in the neck, shoulders, arms and core that your baby needs for rolling, sitting and crawling. It can also help prevent flat patches on the back of the head, because babies spend so much time on their backs. Tummy time is only for when your baby is awake. They should always be put down to sleep on their back.
When to start
You can start from the first days at home, in short sessions when your baby is awake and alert. It is best not to do tummy time straight after a feed. If your baby's umbilical cord stump is still attached, start with chest-to-chest tummy time on your own reclined body.
How long to aim for
Start with a minute or two at a time, a few times a day, and build up as your baby gets stronger and more tolerant. Many health services suggest working towards about 30 minutes in total each day by around three months, spread across the day in short sessions. These are guides, not targets, and every baby is different.
Ways to do tummy time
- Lie back on a sofa or bed with your baby on your chest, face to face.
- Lay your baby across your lap, on their tummy, with your hand on their back.
- Place your baby on a firm playmat on the floor, with a baby-safe mirror or a toy at eye level.
- Get down on the floor with them and talk, sing or make faces.
- As your baby gets stronger, a rolled-up towel under their chest and armpits can help them to lift their head.
If your baby hates it
- Keep sessions short and frequent. Even 30 seconds counts.
- Try after a nap or a nappy (diaper) change, when your baby is calm. Avoid when hungry or tired.
- Start with chest-to-chest or lap tummy time, which feel more secure.
- Use toys, songs and your face to give your baby something to look at.
- Keep trying gently. Many babies who protest at first begin to enjoy it as they get stronger.
Safety
- Always stay with your baby and keep them in view.
- Use a firm, flat surface. Never use a sofa or bed if you will leave the room.
- If your baby falls asleep during tummy time, move them onto their back in their cot.
- For babies born early, ask your health team about the right pace for your baby's corrected age.
When to talk to your health visitor or doctor
- Your baby is not lifting their head at all by about three or four months
- Your baby always turns their head to one side, or has a flat spot that seems to be getting worse
- Your baby's body feels very stiff or very floppy
- You are worried about your baby's development for any reason
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- CDC: Helping babies sleep safely — Safe sleep environment recommendations for babies.
- NHS: Early days — Newborn checks, feeding, and support during the first days.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.