Tummy Time

As soon as possible! The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting Tummy Time shortly after birth. Only start sessions when Baby is awake, alert, and calm.

Begin with short sessions of 2-5 minutes, a few times daily. Stop if Baby gets fussy to keep the experience positive. Gradually work up to at least 15-30 minutes of Tummy Time per day by 2 months old and at least 60 minutes a day by 6 months old. More is always better! Continue daily Tummy Time until Baby can crawl.

Every bit of Tummy Time counts! You can get small sessions in after a diaper change or bath to easily make it part of your routine.

Choose a firm, flat surface like a clean blanket or play mat on the floor. Always supervise Baby closely, and never place them on soft surfaces like beds or couches, where they could sink in or roll over accidentally.

💡 If Baby falls asleep during Tummy Time, gently roll them on their back to sleep. Remember: back to sleep, tummy to play!

Some babies take to Tummy Time right away, while others need a little extra encouragement. It’s normal for Baby to fuss at first; this position is new and takes effort! Stay positive and keep it short and sweet in the beginning.

• Do a couple minutes of Tummy Time after every diaper change or after every bath so Baby starts to expect it

• Try doing Tummy Time exercises when Baby is most happy and stop just before they get upset to keep it a positive experience!

• Sing songs during Tummy Time to calm and soothe Baby

• Use rattles, toys, and mirrors to encourage visual tracking and keep play interesting

• Get down on the floor at Baby’s eye level. Baby loves your face!

Watch the video below for tips to make Tummy Time better for you and Baby!

Tummy Time doesn’t have to start on the floor! There are many Tummy Time positions you can do to help your newborn get comfortable being on their stomach. Pediatric physical therapists recommend:

• Tummy to Tummy (or Tummy to Chest)

  One of the easiest and sweetest ways to start! Lie down on your back (flat or propped up with pillows) and place Baby tummy-down on your chest so you’re face-to-face. Talk, sing, or smile to encourage them to lift their head and look at you.

• Tummy-Down Carry (also known as the Football Carry)

  Perfect for on-the-go Tummy Time! Slide one hand under Baby’s tummy and between their legs, using your other hand to support their head and neck. Hold Baby close to your body, tummy facing down, and gently sway or walk around.

  This “flying” position helps Baby get used to being on their tummy while feeling your comfort and warmth.

• Lap Soothe

  Sit down and place Baby tummy-down across your lap, with their head to one side. Rest your hand gently on Baby’s bottom to help them feel steady and calm.

  This position is especially good for soothing Baby or even helping with burping while sneaking in a little Tummy Time practice.

• Eye-Level Smile

  Get right down on the floor so you’re at Baby’s eye level. Smile, make silly faces, and talk to keep Baby engaged. Babies love seeing your face, and they’ll naturally start to lift their head to look at you!

  To keep things fresh, try placing colorful toys, mirrors, or high-contrast cards nearby for Baby to explore.

The side-lying position is also a great one to add to your Tummy Time routine. Learn about the benefits.

See how to do these Tummy Time positions in the video below!

Regular Tummy Time is important for all babies! If your little one is in the NICU, see our Tummy Time in the NICU guide for safe, gentle ways to begin. Always follow the guidance of Baby’s medical team when trying new activities.

If Baby has physical disabilities that limit their ability to do Tummy Time, talk to Baby’s healthcare provider about alternative ways to build their strength.

Right now, it’s all about helping Baby get used to the feeling of being on their tummy—just a little at a time! Think of it as easing into floor time, building comfort and confidence day by day.

• Spends time in Tummy to Tummy, Tummy Down Carry, and Lap Soothe positions

• Lifts head briefly to clear nose from the surface

• Attempts Tummy Time on the floor

At 1 month, Baby is starting to build head and neck strength during Tummy Time. Attempts at head lifting and turning to both sides are important markers of progress.

• Attempts to lift head up – even if only for a second • Turns head to both sides equally

By 2 months, baby should be lifting their head higher and tolerating more frequent floor-based Tummy Time to build strength and prevent flat spots.

• Spends at least one minute in Tummy Time several times a day (5-10 sessions) without becoming upset

• Spends at least 15-30 minutes of Tummy Time on the floor per day by 2 months of age

• Lifts and holds head up

• Possibly tilts head to one side

• Does the majority of Tummy Time on the floor

By 3 months, Baby should be lifting their head steadily and beginning to push up on their forearms, a sign of improving upper body strength! Baby will also start tracking toys from side to side.

• Begins to put weight on forearms, with elbows behind shoulders at a 45 degree angle

• Gains head control and is able to lift head between 45 to 90 degrees, without tilting head to either side

• Starts to visually track toys or rattles you move around

By 4 months, Baby is pushing up on forearms more easily and actively tracking movement with good head control during Tummy Time.

• Pushes up on forearms and brings chest off floor. Elbows will be under shoulders at a 90 degree angle or in front of shoulders.

• Lifts head up 90 degrees and keeps head centered

• Lifts head and moves neck to track toys, voices, and faces

At 5 months, Baby starts pushing up on their hands and reaching for toys—key steps toward crawling and upper body coordination.

• Begins to push up on hands with straight elbows

• Starts to move hands forward to reach for toys that are placed nearby

By 6 months, Baby is becoming more mobile! They will use Tummy Time to play, pivot, roll, and reach as they explore their surroundings.

• Starts to prefer being on their stomach. Being on their tummy allows them to play, move, and explore more easily.

• Pushes up on straight arms

• Reaches and grabs toys of different sizes

• Able to pivot in a circle while on stomach

• Rolls from back to tummy and tummy to back

• Self-directs Tummy Time

It’s common for babies not to like Tummy Time, especially in the beginning. This is because the position is new and takes time for their muscles to get used to. Baby may also get upset during Tummy Time if they just ate, are tired, or simply bored. When Baby starts to get fussy on their tummy, take a break to keep the experience positive.

Find tips to help a baby who doesn’t like Tummy Time here.

Tummy Time is important for all babies, including those born premature and/or staying in the NICU. It’s important to ask Baby’s healthcare provider if an activity is safe before trying it, but here are some general tips:

• Do Tummy Time when Baby is awake and alert, and keep sessions very short (especially if Baby has a large head).

• Use positions that keep Baby close to your body, like Tummy to Tummy.

• If your baby has a feeding tube or a sensitive abdominal area, use the Lap Soothe position to create a gap around that area.

Learn more ways to safely do Tummy Time with a NICU baby.

• Wait 15-30 minutes after feedings to do Tummy Time.

• Try Tummy Time in an inclined position: Place a rolled-up blanket or pillow under Baby’s chest to put them at a mild angle

• For more guidance, talk to Baby’s healthcare provider.

If your little roly-poly loves to show off their new skill during Tummy Time, that’s great! Let them do their thing, but make sure they still get plenty of time on their belly. It’s important to keep doing Tummy Time until at least 6 months. Use these tips to keep Baby on their tummy!

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/back-to-sleep-tummy-to-play.aspx

https://safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov/reduce-risk/tummy-time

https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/specialties-conditions/pediatric-occupational-therapy/resources/tummy-time/