Tummy time means placing your baby on their stomach while they’re awake and you’re watching. You can start as early as a day or two after birth, beginning with two or three sessions of three to five minutes each. From there, you gradually build up to longer stretches as your baby gets stronger, eventually reaching 60 to 90 minutes total per day by the time they’re crawling.
Getting the technique right matters. Proper positioning keeps your baby comfortable, builds the right muscles, and helps prevent flat spots on the back of their head.
How Much Tummy Time by Age
The daily goal changes significantly over the first six months. For newborns up to about two months old, aim for two or three short sessions of three to five minutes, working toward a total of about 20 minutes per day. By two months, bump the daily total to 15 to 30 minutes. By three months, aim for 30 total minutes spread across the day.
Between four and six months, work up to 60 to 90 minutes of total tummy time each day. That sounds like a lot, but it’s spread across many sessions, not done all at once. Once your baby starts crawling on their own, they’re getting plenty of floor time naturally and formal tummy time sessions become less necessary.
Six Positions to Try
There’s no single “correct” tummy time position. Mixing it up keeps your baby engaged and works different muscle groups. Here are the main options, roughly ordered from easiest to most challenging:
- Tummy to tummy (chest-to-chest): Lie on your back and place your baby face-down on your chest. This is the gentlest starting point for newborns because they can feel your body warmth and see your face.
- Tummy carry: Hold your baby face-down along your forearm like a football, supporting their head with your hand. For younger babies, keep your hand under their head. As they get stronger, shift your support to their body so they work on lifting their head independently.
- Lap position: Sit down and lay your baby tummy-down across your thighs. Keep one hand on their back or hips so they feel secure. This is a good middle step before moving to the floor.
- Over-the-leg prop: Sit on the floor or couch and position your baby so their chest rests on the edge of one leg, arms hanging over the side. This lifts their head higher and encourages them to push up with straight arms.
- Floor with a rolled towel: Place a small rolled-up blanket or towel under your baby’s chest. This lifts their upper body slightly, teaches them to bring their arms forward for support, and shifts their weight toward their hips. It’s especially helpful for babies who get frustrated flat on the floor.
- Flat on the floor: The classic position. Place your baby belly-down on a firm, flat surface with nothing soft nearby. This is the most challenging version and the one your baby will eventually spend the most time in.
For newborns, start with chest-to-chest or the tummy carry and introduce floor time gradually. By two to three months, most babies are ready for the floor positions with or without a towel prop.
What Tummy Time Builds
Tummy time strengthens the neck, shoulders, arms, and core in a way that no other position does. These are the same muscles your baby needs to push up on their elbows, roll over, sit up, and eventually crawl. Babies who spend regular time on their stomachs also show improvements in gross motor skills, the ability to move while on their back, and rolling and crawling milestones.
There’s also a protective benefit. Babies who sleep on their backs (as they should) can develop flat spots on their skulls, a condition called plagiocephaly. Regular tummy time during waking hours reduces pressure on the back of the head and lowers the risk of these flat spots forming. A systematic review in the journal Pediatrics confirmed that tummy time is positively associated with both better motor development and reduced rates of skull flattening.
Milestones to Watch For
During the first month or two, your baby will mostly rest their head to one side and make small attempts to lift it briefly. By around two to three months, most babies can hold their head up at a 45-degree angle and start propping themselves on their forearms. This forearm push-up is a key milestone that shows growing neck and upper-body strength.
Between four and six months, you’ll likely see your baby pushing up on straight arms, pivoting in a circle on their belly, and reaching for toys while balancing on one arm. These movements lay the groundwork for rolling over. Most babies roll from tummy to back first, typically around six months, because the mechanics are a bit simpler. Rolling from back to tummy usually follows shortly after. If your baby is pushing up well during tummy time and showing good head control, they’re on track for these transitions.
Timing Around Feedings
Wait about 20 minutes after a feeding before starting tummy time. The pressure of lying on a full stomach can cause spit-up, which makes the experience unpleasant for everyone. The best windows are after a diaper change, after a nap when your baby is alert and rested, or midway between feedings when their stomach has settled.
If your baby falls asleep during tummy time, move them onto their back right away. Tummy time is strictly a supervised, awake activity.
When Your Baby Hates It
Some fussing is normal, especially in the beginning. A baby who has never been on their stomach is using muscles they’ve barely activated before. That said, there are several ways to make it more tolerable:
- Check the basics first. Make sure your baby has a clean diaper, isn’t hungry, and isn’t overtired. Discomfort from any of these will make tummy time miserable regardless of technique.
- Get on their level. Lie on the floor face-to-face with your baby, or place them on your chest. Eye contact and your voice are powerful motivators.
- Talk, sing, or make silly sounds. Babies will work harder to lift their head when there’s something interesting to look at or listen to.
- Rub their back gently. A calm, steady touch on the back can ease frustration.
- Keep sessions short. Two minutes of successful tummy time is better than five minutes of crying. If your baby is still upset after you’ve tried soothing them, pick them up and try again later.
Consistency matters more than duration in the early weeks. Short, frequent sessions throughout the day add up and help your baby adjust to the position gradually.
Safety Rules for Props and Surfaces
Always use a firm, flat surface for floor-based tummy time. A play mat or clean section of carpet works well. Avoid soft surfaces like beds, couches, or thick cushions, where a baby’s face can sink in and block their airway.
If you use a support cushion or pillow designed for tummy time, keep it on the floor, never on a raised surface. These products should be firm enough that they don’t conform to your baby’s face. The Consumer Product Safety Commission finalized safety standards for infant support cushions requiring firmness testing, a maximum incline of 10 degrees (roughly two inches of height), and no restraints that might suggest a baby can be left alone. Regardless of what product you use, stay within arm’s reach and keep your eyes on your baby the entire time. If your baby rolls off a prop or falls asleep, reposition them immediately onto their back on a flat surface.
Keep blankets, pillows, and stuffed toys away from your baby’s face during tummy time. The only things on the floor should be the baby, a firm surface, and optionally a small rolled towel under their chest for support.