You can start tummy time the day your baby comes home from the hospital. Begin with 3 to 5 minutes at a time, two to three sessions per day, and gradually work up to 15 to 30 minutes total by around 7 weeks of age. The key is keeping your baby awake, supervised, and on their belly on a firm surface while you interact with them.
Start on Your Chest, Then Move to the Floor
For brand-new babies, especially before the umbilical cord stump falls off, the easiest way to begin is chest to chest. Recline in a chair or on your bed with a pillow supporting your head, then lay your baby tummy-down on your stomach or chest. This position feels secure for newborns because they can hear your heartbeat and feel your warmth. It counts as tummy time because your baby still has to work against gravity to lift or turn their head.
Another early option is lap time. Place your baby belly-down across your thighs lengthwise, keeping their head aligned with their body and gently supporting it. For a little extra stimulation, slowly raise and lower your legs or rock them gently side to side. If your baby falls asleep in this position, transfer them to their crib on their back.
Once your baby is a few weeks old and you’re both more comfortable, move tummy time to the floor. Lay down a clean blanket or play mat and place your baby on their belly. Get down on the floor yourself so you’re at eye level. Babies are far more likely to stay engaged when they can see your face.
How to Use Props for Support
If your baby struggles to lift their head on a flat surface, a small rolled-up towel or blanket tucked under their chest can make a big difference. The goal is to keep their head slightly higher than their stomach, which takes some of the effort out of lifting. Position the roll under the armpits so the arms are free to push against the floor. A small nursing pillow or foam wedge works the same way.
You don’t need any special equipment beyond that. A blanket on the floor, a couple of small toys or a baby-safe mirror placed in front of them, and a rolled towel for support if needed. That’s a complete tummy time setup.
What Your Baby Gains From Tummy Time
Tummy time builds the neck, shoulder, and arm muscles your baby needs for every major physical milestone ahead: holding their head up, rolling over, sitting, crawling, and eventually walking. These muscles don’t develop as quickly when a baby spends all waking hours on their back or in a car seat.
There’s also a direct connection to head shape. Since the “back to sleep” guidelines reduced SIDS risk by keeping babies on their backs at night, the tradeoff has been a rise in positional flat spots on the skull. One Canadian study found that nearly half of 435 healthy newborns had developed some degree of flattening by 7 to 12 weeks. But in research comparing babies who got regular supervised tummy time to those who didn’t, the tummy time group had roughly half the rate of flat spots (15% versus 33%). Regular belly time takes pressure off the back of the skull during the hours your baby is awake and gives the head a more rounded shape as it grows.
What Progress Looks Like Month by Month
In the first few weeks, your baby’s movements will look jerky and uncoordinated. They may barely turn their head to one side. This is completely normal. By around 2 months, most babies can briefly hold their head up on their own when you hold them upright, a sign that tummy time is doing its job. By the end of month three, many babies can prop themselves up on their elbows during tummy time, lifting both their head and chest off the floor. Over the following months, they’ll start reaching for toys in front of them, pivoting on their belly, and eventually pushing up onto their hands, all of which sets the stage for rolling and crawling.
When Your Baby Hates It
Most babies fuss during tummy time at some point, and many protest loudly in the early weeks. This doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. A few adjustments usually help.
Timing matters more than anything else. Try tummy time right after a nap, when your baby is rested and alert, with a clean diaper and a recently full stomach (but not immediately after a feeding, which can cause spit-up). A baby who is hungry, tired, or uncomfortable will cry on their belly regardless of what you do.
- Get on their level. Lie on the floor face to face. Talk, sing, make exaggerated expressions. Babies work harder to lift their heads when there’s something interesting to look at.
- Use a mirror. A baby-safe mirror placed in front of them gives them a face to focus on, even when you step away briefly.
- Rub their back. Gentle touch can calm a baby who feels uneasy in the position.
- Add a chest roll. Propping them up slightly with a rolled blanket reduces the difficulty and can turn crying into calm exploration.
- Keep sessions short. One or two minutes of successful tummy time is better than five minutes of screaming. You can always try again later.
If your baby is still upset after you’ve tried soothing them, pick them up. This isn’t giving in. It builds trust, and your baby learns they can count on you to respond. You can try another short session an hour or two later. Over days and weeks, tolerance builds, and most babies go from hating tummy time to happily playing on their bellies for 10 or 15 minutes at a stretch.
Safety Basics
Tummy time is only for awake, supervised play. Never leave a baby on their belly to sleep, even for a nap. The surface should be firm and flat, not a soft couch cushion or pillow where a baby’s face could sink in. Stay within arm’s reach the entire time, especially with young infants who can’t yet lift or turn their heads reliably. If your baby falls asleep during tummy time on your lap or chest, gently roll them onto their back before you set them down.