June 2026
how to do tummy time
To do tummy time, place your baby on their stomach on a firm, flat surface during supervised awake time, and stay down at their level to keep them engaged. Start with short sessions of one to a few minutes and repeat them several times a day, building up as your baby gets stronger. Most parents want to know not just when to begin but how to do tummy time so their baby actually tolerates it, and the good news is that a few simple adjustments make a big difference. If you are still wondering about timing, read our article on when to start tummy time first. This guide focuses on the how.
How to do tummy time step by step
Doing tummy time correctly is simple once you know the basics. Choose a firm, flat surface such as a play mat or blanket on the floor, and pick a moment when your baby is awake, alert, and not too hungry or too full. Lay your baby gently on their stomach with their arms forward and their hands near their shoulders, so they can push up. Get down on the floor in front of them, at eye level, and talk, smile, and make eye contact to encourage them to lift their head. Keep the first sessions short, around one to three minutes, and stop when your baby shows signs of tiring such as the head dropping or fussing. Repeating tummy time several times a day works far better than one long session.
How to do tummy time with a newborn
Newborns are still building neck strength, so tummy time should be at its gentlest in the first weeks. The easiest way to do tummy time with a newborn is on your chest: lie back in a reclined position and place your baby tummy down on you, so they lift their head to see your face. This tummy to tummy time is a softer introduction than the floor. When you do move to a flat surface, you can place a small rolled towel under your baby's chest and bring their arms forward over it, which makes lifting the head easier. Keep newborn sessions very short and frequent, and always stay right next to your baby.
How to position your baby for tummy time
Good positioning is what makes tummy time work. Always bring both arms forward so the elbows are under or in front of the shoulders, because this gives your baby the leverage to push up rather than lying with arms trapped underneath. Make sure the head is free to turn to either side, and alternate which way the head faces across sessions so pressure does not always land on the same spot. A firm surface is important, as a soft couch or bed makes lifting harder and is less safe. If your baby plants their face down at first, that is normal; gently encourage head turning with a toy or your voice from the side.
How to do tummy time correctly: common mistakes to avoid
A few small mistakes make tummy time harder than it needs to be. Doing it right after a full feed can cause spit-up and discomfort, so wait a little while after feeding. Using a surface that is too soft reduces the effort and the benefit. Leaving your baby alone, even briefly, is never safe during tummy time. And waiting until your baby enjoys it before starting usually backfires, because tolerance is built through short, regular practice. Done correctly, tummy time is calm, supervised, on a firm surface, and repeated little and often throughout the day.
How to use a Boppy or pillow for tummy time
A nursing pillow such as a Boppy can be a helpful prop in the early weeks. To use a Boppy for tummy time, place the pillow under your baby's chest and bring their arms forward over the front of it, so their upper body is slightly raised and lifting the head is easier. This gives a gentle incline similar to chest tummy time while your baby is on the floor. Keep your baby's face clear of the pillow and never leave them unsupervised on it, and never use a pillow for sleep. As your baby grows stronger, gradually reduce the support so they work more on a flat surface.
How to make tummy time fun and encourage your baby
Most babies resist tummy time at first, and that is completely normal. The trick is to make it easier and more engaging rather than waiting for your baby to like it. Get down to their level so they can see your face, use a baby-safe mirror, bright toys, or your voice to draw their attention upward, and change the scenery by moving to a different spot. Singing, gentle encouragement, and lots of smiles turn it into play rather than a task. If your baby hates tummy time, keep sessions short and frequent, and start on your chest before moving to the floor. Resistance almost always decreases as strength builds.
How long, how often, and what to expect by age
In the beginning, aim for short bursts of about one to three minutes, several times a day, and build up gradually as your baby gets stronger. Frequency matters more than the length of any single session. Newborns do best mostly on your chest with very short sessions, by one month you can add brief floor time with a rolled towel under the chest, around two months sessions get longer with short head lifts, and by three months many babies manage steady lifts and push-ups with less support. As a rough guide, many families work toward a total of around an hour spread across the day by a few months of age, always broken into small, comfortable sessions. For age-specific targets, read our guide on how much tummy time at 2 months and 3 months. Let your baby's tolerance, not the clock, set the pace.
How tummy time protects your baby's head shape
Beyond building strength, tummy time is one of the simplest ways to support an even head shape. Time spent lifting and turning the head takes pressure off the back of the skull, which is where positional flattening tends to develop in the early months. Combined with varied positioning during the day, this helps reduce the chance of a flat head in babies. If you are unsure whether your baby's head shape is developing normally, you can easily check it yourself with the Skully Care app. A quick measurement with your smartphone gives you an objective, clinically validated result, so you know right away whether everything is on track.
Common questions parents ask
How do you do tummy time?
Place your baby on their stomach on a firm, flat surface during supervised awake time, get down to their eye level, and keep sessions short and frequent.
How do you do tummy time with a newborn?
Start on your chest while reclined, or use a rolled towel under the chest on the floor, with very short and frequent sessions.
How do I position my baby for tummy time?
Bring both arms forward under the shoulders so your baby can push up, and keep the head free to turn to either side.
How long should tummy time be?
Begin with one to three minutes at a time, several times a day, and build up gradually as your baby gets stronger.
What if my baby hates tummy time?
This is very common. Keep sessions short, start on your chest, and use your face, voice, and toys to make it more engaging.
Written by Elly van der Grift
Elly van der Grift is the co-founder of Skully Care and a pediatric physiotherapist with over 30 years of experience. Her mission is to provide top care for babies with skull deformities. With her infectious enthusiasm, she shares simple, effective tips that can make a big difference for your baby. Working with Elly, you'll feel confident and supported in your baby’s journey to better health.