Tummy time: when to start, how long and what to do if baby hates it
When to start tummy time, how many minutes by age (AAP and WHO), easy positions, help for babies who hate it, the milestones it supports and safety rules.
Educational content only, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or health visitor about your child.
In this article
Start tummy time from the day you bring your baby home, always while they are awake and you are watching. The AAP suggests 2 to 3 short sessions a day of 3 to 5 minutes each, building up to 15 to 30 minutes a day in total by 7 weeks. The WHO recommends at least 30 minutes a day on their tummy, spread through the day, for babies under 1 who are not yet moving around. Short, frequent sessions work better than one long one.
This guide follows the AAP, the WHO and the NHS. It is educational, not medical advice. If your baby was born early, has reflux or has any health condition, talk to your doctor, health visitor or paediatrician about tummy time first.
Why is tummy time important?
Babies sleep on their backs, which is safest. Tummy time lets them work the other way while awake. Lifting their head to look around strengthens their neck, shoulders, arms and back.
Those muscles are the foundation for rolling, sitting up, pushing up on hands and knees, and eventually crawling. The AAP says tummy time helps babies build the strength and skills they need to reach these milestones.
Tummy time also helps take pressure off the back of the head. Babies' skulls are soft, and lying in the same position for long periods can lead to a flat spot, called flat head syndrome (plagiocephaly or brachycephaly). The NHS recommends plenty of supervised tummy time during the day as one way to help. Flat head syndrome is common and often improves over 1 to 2 years as the head grows.
When should I start tummy time?
From the first days. The AAP says you can start the day your baby comes home from the hospital, and that "tummy to tummy" time on your chest can begin even before the umbilical cord stump has fallen off. A healthy full-term newborn does not need to wait.
Good times are when your baby is awake, alert and content: after a nappy (diaper) change, or after waking from a nap. Avoid tummy time straight after a big feed, as pressure on a full tummy can bring milk back up. Our guide to burping and spit-up has more on that.
How long should tummy time be?
| Age | What to aim for | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 2 to 3 sessions a day, 3 to 5 minutes each | AAP |
| By 7 weeks | 15 to 30 minutes a day in total | AAP |
| Under 1 year, not yet mobile | At least 30 minutes a day on their tummy, spread through the day | WHO 2019 guidelines |
| Once crawling | Plenty of floor play every day, several times a day | WHO 2019 guidelines |
The AAP and WHO targets fit together: build up gradually, then aim for at least 30 minutes a day in short bursts.
The WHO also advises that babies under 1 should not be restrained in a pram, high chair, car seat or carrier for more than 1 hour at a time, and that screen time is not recommended at this age. Floor play, including tummy time, is the alternative.
How do I do tummy time? 5 ways to try
1. On your chest
Lie back or recline, propped up with a pillow, and place your baby tummy down on your chest. They will try to lift their head to see your face. Talk, sing and make faces. This is a lovely starting point for newborns and is often the easiest way in.
2. Across your lap
Sit down and lay your baby tummy down across your lap, with their head in line with their body. Keep a hand on their back. The AAP suggests gently moving your legs from side to side to soothe them.
3. On the floor
Put a play mat or clean blanket on the floor and lay your baby on their tummy. Get down at their eye level, so they have a reason to lift their head. Lay toys in a circle around them, or just out of reach, to encourage reaching and turning.
Foam play mat
Soft, wipeable floor for tummy time and tumbles.
4. With a small rolled towel
If your baby finds it hard to lift their head, a small rolled-up towel placed under their chest and armpits, with their arms forward over it, can make it a bit easier. Use it only during supervised tummy time on the floor and take it away afterwards. Never leave a towel, pillow or roll in the cot.
5. Side lying with support
The AAP also suggests side lying as an in-between option: lay your baby on their side on a blanket, with a rolled towel behind their back for support and both arms in front. Swap sides each time.
As your baby gets stronger, an activity gym with hanging toys gives them something to look at and reach for, both on their back and on their tummy.
Baby activity gym
A play mat with hanging toys for tummy time and reaching.
What if my baby hates tummy time?
Lots of babies cry or protest at first. It is hard work for them. A few things that help:
- Keep it short. Even 1 or 2 minutes counts. Stop before they get really upset and try again later.
- Start on you. Chest-to-chest time is often accepted when the floor is not.
- Get face to face. Your face is your baby's favourite thing to look at. Lie down in front of them.
- Use a mirror or toy. A baby-safe mirror or high-contrast toy in front of them gives them a reason to lift their head.
- Pick the right moment. Try when your baby is rested and not hungry, and not straight after a feed.
- Dress for movement. A simple bodysuit, or just a nappy if the room is warm, makes it easier to move.
- Mix it up. Carrying your baby in different positions and holding them upright also builds strength.
Be patient. The AAP says most babies come to enjoy tummy time as they get stronger.
What milestones does tummy time support?
Regular tummy time helps with:
- Head control: lifting and turning their head, then holding it steady
- Pushing up: first on forearms, then on straight arms
- Rolling: often front to back first, then back to front
- Sitting: core and back strength help them sit with support, then alone
- Crawling: pushing up, rocking and reaching are all practice for moving
Every baby develops at their own pace. You can see typical ages in our guide to baby milestones in the first year.
Is tummy time safe?
Yes, when done the right way:
- Only when your baby is awake. Tummy time is play, not sleep.
- Always watch them closely. Stay with your baby the whole time. If you need to leave the room, take them with you or put them on their back in their cot.
- Never for sleep. If your baby falls asleep on their tummy, gently roll them onto their back and move them to a firm, flat, clear cot. Back to sleep, tummy to play. See our safe sleep basics guide.
- Use a firm, flat surface. A clean floor with a mat or blanket is best. Avoid sofas, beds and soft surfaces they could sink into or roll off.
- Keep pets and small objects away.
When to talk to a doctor
Speak to your doctor or health visitor if your baby:
- Always turns or tilts their head to one side, or has trouble turning it
- Has a flat spot or a head shape that worries you
- Does not seem to be getting stronger, or lifting their head more, over the first few months
- Was premature, has reflux or special needs, as tummy time may need adapting
How can I track tummy time and milestones?
Noting when your baby first lifts their head, rolls or sits up gives you a record for checkups.
Baby Growth Tracker Pro keeps track of milestones and growth, and logs feeds, sleep and nappies in one tap, all offline. Our baby checkup schedule shows when development is reviewed, and the baby care hub has all our care guides in one place.
Frequently asked questions
Can a newborn do tummy time?
Yes. The AAP says you can start the day your baby comes home, with short sessions of 3 to 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day. Lying tummy down on your chest is a gentle way to begin.
How much tummy time does a baby need?
The AAP suggests building up to 15 to 30 minutes a day in total by 7 weeks. The WHO recommends at least 30 minutes a day, spread through the day, for babies under 1 who are not yet mobile.
Does lying on my chest count as tummy time?
Yes. The AAP lists tummy-to-tummy time on your chest as one of its suggested activities. Your baby still has to work to lift their head to see you.
What if my baby falls asleep during tummy time?
Gently turn them onto their back and move them to a firm, flat sleep space with nothing else in it. Babies should always sleep on their backs.
When can I stop doing tummy time?
Once your baby is rolling, sitting and crawling, they spend time on their tummy naturally. Keep offering plenty of floor play every day. The WHO recommends babies are physically active several times a day.
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