When to Start Tummy Time: A Parent Guide

If you have a new baby at home, you have probably heard relatives and doctors mention "tummy time". Many parents wonder when to start tummy time, how long it should last and whether it is safe. This guide covers the basics in plain language, based on widely accepted general guidance. It is not medical advice, so please speak to your paediatrician or doctor about your own baby, especially if your baby was born early or you have any concerns.

What is tummy time?

Tummy time simply means placing your baby on their tummy while they are awake and being watched by an adult. It gives babies a chance to lift their head, push up on their arms and look around from a new position.

Tummy time is always for awake, supervised play. It is never for sleep.

Tummy time and safe sleep: keep them separate

This is the most important point in this guide:

• Babies should be placed on their backs for every sleep, including naps, on a firm, flat sleep surface.
• Tummy time happens only while your baby is awake and an adult is watching closely.
• If your baby starts to fall asleep during tummy time, gently turn them onto their back and move them to their safe sleep space.

Keeping "back to sleep" and "tummy to play" separate gives babies the benefits of floor play while following safe sleep advice.

When to start tummy time

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) both encourage supervised tummy time from early on. For many healthy full-term babies, this can begin in the first days or weeks after coming home, starting with very short sessions.

If your baby was premature, had a difficult birth, has a medical condition or you are simply unsure, ask your paediatrician when and how to begin.

Tummy time for newborns: how to begin

Newborns tire quickly, so start small:

• A few minutes at a time, a few times a day, is a common starting point.
• Try chest-to-chest: lie back slightly on a sofa or bed and place your baby on your chest. This counts as tummy time and lets your baby see your face.
• Across your lap: lay your baby tummy-down across your knees while you support them.
• On the floor: place your baby on a clean, firm surface and get down to their eye level.

Many babies fuss at first. That is normal. Try again later, keep sessions short, and let them build up as your baby gets stronger.

How much tummy time?

Every baby is different, so think of this as a gradual build-up rather than a target to hit on day one.

As general guidance, the WHO recommends that babies under one year are physically active several times a day, particularly through interactive floor-based play. For babies who are not yet mobile, this includes at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day while they are awake.

You do not need to do this all at once. Several short sessions after nappy changes or when your baby wakes up add up over the day. Your paediatrician can advise what is right for your baby.

Benefits of tummy time

Tummy time is a normal part of early floor play. It is widely recommended because it gives babies the chance to:

• Practise lifting and turning their head, which works the neck and shoulder muscles
• Push up on their arms, building upper body strength
• Get ready for later movements like rolling, sitting and crawling, at their own pace
• Spend time off the back of their head, which can help reduce the chance of flat spots
• Explore and connect, especially when you are face to face with them

Babies reach these milestones at different times. Tummy time is one helpful part of everyday play, not a guarantee of any particular timeline.

How to set up a simple tummy time space

You do not need much. A clean, firm, flat surface on the floor and your attention are the essentials.

Choose the right surface

For newborns, a firm blanket on a clean floor works well. As your baby grows and starts rolling and crawling, a cushioned floor mat gives a comfortable play area. Our Foamic Foldable Baby Playmat is labelled 6+ months. It has an 8mm cushioned surface and is waterproof and washable, which helps with spills and dribble. See more options in our baby play mats collection.

Keep the area safe

• Choose a spot away from stairs, heaters, fans and pets.
• Remove pillows, loose blankets and soft toys from around your baby's face.
• In the summer heat, pick a cool, shaded room and avoid direct sun.

Add something interesting to look at

Get down on the floor face to face, sing, or let an older sibling chat to the baby. As babies get older, a toy just in front of them can encourage them to lift their head and reach. For babies from around 9 months, the Suction Spinners (Pack of 3) can stick to a smooth floor tile or low surface to watch and tap. From around 10 months, the Musical Smart Pad adds music and sounds to floor play.

A safe space for older babies

Once your baby is on the move, a Playpen / Play Yard (6 months+) can create an enclosed play area on a flat, stable surface. Children should always be supervised while in a playpen. Browse our baby playpens collection for more.

When your little one becomes a toddler, our guide to activities for 2-year-olds has ideas for the next stage.

Quick safety tips

• Always stay with your baby during tummy time. Never leave them alone, even for a moment.
• Back to sleep, every sleep. Tummy time is for awake play only.
• Use a firm, flat surface on the floor, not a sofa, bed edge or raised surface.
• Keep the face clear of pillows, cushions and soft bedding.
• Stop if your baby is upset or very tired and try again later.
• Avoid tummy time straight after a big feed if it seems to make your baby uncomfortable.
• Ask your paediatrician if your baby was premature, has reflux, has any medical condition, or if you have any worries.

Frequently asked questions

When should I start tummy time with my newborn?

Mainstream guidance from the AAP and WHO encourages supervised tummy time from early on, often within the first days or weeks at home, in very short sessions. Check with your paediatrician, especially if your baby was born early.

How much tummy time does a baby need?

Start with a few minutes a few times a day and build up gradually. WHO guidance suggests babies who are not yet mobile get at least 30 minutes of tummy time spread through the day while awake.

What if my baby hates tummy time?

Many babies protest at first. Try shorter sessions, chest-to-chest tummy time, getting down to their eye level, or trying when they are calm and alert rather than hungry or tired.

Can my baby sleep on their tummy during tummy time?

No. If your baby falls asleep, gently turn them onto their back and move them to a firm, flat sleep space. Babies should sleep on their backs for every sleep.