Tummy Time 101: When to Start and How to Do It Right.

6 Aug 2025

As a new parent, it’s natural to have plenty of questions about your baby’s development. One of the most common ones we hear from families is: “When should I start tummy time?” Whether you’re navigating your baby’s early weeks with help from a confinement nanny or going solo, understanding tummy time is an important part of supporting your little one’s growth.

What Is Tummy Time?

Tummy time refers to the practice of placing your baby on their stomach while they are awake and supervised. It helps your baby develop strong neck and shoulder muscles and promotes motor skills that lay the foundation for rolling over, crawling, and eventually walking.

It might look simple, but tummy time plays a big role in your baby’s development, and can even help prevent flat spots (flat head syndrome) on their head caused by too much time lying on their back.

According to Healthhub, Babies between 4 to 6 weeks old are encouraged to engage in at least 30 minutes of safe, supervised floor-based play each day, spread out over multiple sessions. This includes tummy time, where your baby lies on their stomach. You can place them on a clean, firm mat or mattress with no soft toys or cushions around. Position your baby with their tummy on the surface and arms placed in front to form a triangle shape. This helps build strength in the neck and back muscles, supporting their ability to eventually push up and roll over. Always ensure their face is turned to the side and keep a close eye on them during the activity.

When Can I Start Tummy Time?

You can begin tummy time as soon as your baby comes home from the hospital. Yes, that early!

In fact, many confinement nannies introduce gentle tummy time from the newborn stage. At first, this might look like a few minutes of baby lying on your chest or across your lap. It’s a soft and comforting way to get your baby used to the new position while still feeling close to you.

How Long Should Tummy Time Last?

Now that you know it’s best to start tummy time early, the next question is usually: how long should each session be? The good news is, even short sessions make a big difference. According to The Bump, for newborns, aim for 2 to 3 tummy time sessions a day, each lasting about 3 to 5 minutes. The best times are often after a nap or diaper change, as part of playtime. If your baby seems uncomfortable, it’s perfectly okay to pause or take breaks.

As your baby grows and becomes more comfortable with tummy time, you can gradually increase both the frequency and duration. By the time your little one is around 3 to 4 months old, aim for a total of 20 to 30 minutes of tummy time per day.

Note: This doesn’t have to happen all at once! Shorter sessions throughout the day work just as well.

Continue practicing tummy time until your baby can confidently roll over on their own, which typically happens between 4 to 6 months. Even after that milestone, incorporating tummy time into your daily routine can help build the strength and coordination needed for crawling.

How to Do Tummy Time (Without Tears!)

Some babies love tummy time. Others… not so much. If your little one gets fussy, don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal. Here are some simple tips to make tummy time easier for both baby and you:

1. Start slow and stay close

Place baby tummy-down on a firm, flat surface (like a play mat or blanket on the floor). Get down to their level and talk or sing to them. Your face is their favourite thing to look at!

Use props or toys

A soft tummy time pillow or rolled-up towel can provide a bit of elevation under baby’s chest. Add a colourful toy or a mirror in front to keep them entertained.

Build it into your daily routine

After nappy changes or bath time are great moments to sneak in a few minutes of tummy time. If you have a confinement nanny, they can also help make it part of baby’s daily rhythm.

Make it a bonding moment

Lie down on your back and place your baby on your chest tummy-down. This skin-to-skin time is not only great for development, but also helps with bonding and soothing.

Final Thoughts

Tummy time is a simple yet essential part of your baby’s early development. By starting early and making it fun, you’re giving your baby the best start in building strength, coordination, and confidence!