Tummy time for your baby

Many health professionals will mention tummy time when asking about your baby’s development. Tummy time involves placing your baby on their stomach when they are awake. This is very important to help strengthen your baby’s muscles and protect the shape of their head.

It is normal for young babies to be unhappy on their tummy as their heads are heavy and tummy time is hard for them. Even though babies may feel uncomfortable initially, it is important to keep trying.

Why does my baby need to do tummy time?

Placing your baby on their tummy helps them in a number of ways, including:

developing head control (strengthens the muscles of their neck)
strengthening the muscles used to move their bodies so they can learn to roll, sit and crawl. This includes the muscles of their shoulders and back
helping to protect their head shape so they don’t develop a misshapen head (called Plagiocephaly)

When can I start tummy time with my baby?

Tummy time can be safely started from birth. It has been found that babies who start regular tummy time early like this position more and can manage it for longer periods of time.

Try to do tummy time regularly throughout the day and make it a part of your baby’s regular activity. Start with short periods of tummy time (one to two minutes) and slowly increase the time as your baby becomes stronger (aiming for 10 to 15 minutes at least three times a day, by around four months of age). Babies with big heads or those who were born early often find tummy time more difficult and may need more time to improve at it.

How can I do tummy time with my baby?

There are a number of different ways to do tummy time with your baby. Do not leave your baby alone or unsupervised during any tummy time positions.

These positions may be helpful if your baby does not like being directly on their tummy or has colic or reflux. Please see our Kids Health Info fact sheets on Reflux (GOR) and GORD and Crying and unsettled babies - colic for more information.

Positions for tummy time

Chest to chest, in a chair	Over your lap, adult seated on a chair or on the floor

Chest to chest, on the floor	Baby over your Arm

Over a rolled towel – placed under baby’s chest, arms forward	On the play mat, lots of play

Over a gym ball

Please note: remember to put your baby on their back for sleep safety - never sleep your baby on their tummy or side.

What are some tips to help my baby with tummy time?

Supervised tummy time is best when your baby is awake, not too tired and not too soon after a feed (which may cause vomiting or discomfort)
In the beginning, your baby may not enjoy tummy time very much and may only tolerate a minute or two. Don’t give up – it will get better with daily practice. If your baby is crying when placed on their tummy, try to distract them with play. Examples of play include getting down on the floor with your baby, using toys such as rattles and mirrors, and singing and talking to them
You could also try a different position to see if they find this any easier. Different positions for tummy time are shown above
Your baby will find tummy time easier if they can take their weight through their elbows. You may need to help them with this or support them there. Try to use a play mat that isn’t too silky, soft or slippery and a surface that isn’t too soft
Newborn babies can move their heads by themselves but not control their position. You may need to help them position their head in the middle
To help your baby lift their head, gently press down on their bottom. This gives them something solid to push off. For adults, this is similar to when someone holds your feet when you are doing a sit up

When to see a doctor?

Remember that it is normal for your baby to find tummy time difficult to begin with. If you remain concerned or are worried about any of the following, please seek medical advice from your GP, Maternal and Child Health nurse, paediatrician or a paediatric physiotherapist:

Your baby isn’t improving at tummy time after six to eight weeks of age
Your baby feels very stiff or very floppy
If your baby is six weeks old and not making eye contact or focussing on toys
If your baby is developing a misshapen head or a strong preference to have their head on one side
If your baby is not moving both sides of their body the same

Key Points to Remember

Tummy time helps to strengthen a baby’s neck, shoulder and back muscles
Tummy time helps to protect your baby’s head shape
You must always supervise your baby when they are on their tummy and during any tummy time positions
It is recommended you start tummy time from birth and do it regularly
It is normal for babies to find tummy time difficult to begin with. Use a variety of positions and tips listed to help them enjoy it more and get better at it
Babies with big heads or those who were born early often find tummy time more difficult and may need more time to improve at it
You must always sleep your baby on their back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

For more information

Kids Health Info fact sheet: Plagiocephaly - misshapen head
Kids Health Info fact sheet: Reflux (GOR) and GORD
Kids Health Info fact sheet: Crying and unsettled babies - colic
Baby’s Head Control fact sheet: Physiotherapy Department handout
Raising Children Network - Tummy time for babies: in pictures
Red Nose safe sleeping

Common questions our doctors are asked

At what age is it no longer necessary to put my baby on their tummy?

We recommend you continue with tummy time until your baby starts to crawl or can get onto and off their tummy themselves. Once your baby is doing this, they will be doing their own tummy time. Remember, it is safe to start tummy time from birth.

If my baby has reflux/vomits a lot, should I put them on their tummy?
If your baby has reflux, you can and should continue with tummy time. Try the positions where your baby is more upright such as on your chest, over your legs or on a gym ball. Remember to leave 20 to 30 minutes after a feed before placing your baby on their tummy to reduce vomiting and discomfort.

What do I do if my baby dislikes tummy time?
It is very normal for young babies to be unhappy on their tummy as their heads are heavy and tummy time is hard for them. Babies need to be motivated when on their tummy and can be motivated through play. Examples of play include getting down on the floor with your baby, using toys such as rattles and mirrors and singing and talking to them.

Use some of the tips listed on this page to make tummy time more enjoyable and a little easier for them. The more upright your baby is when they are on their tummy, the easier it will be for them. Remember, every little bit helps and your baby should slowly improve and start to enjoy being on their tummy. If they continue to have difficulties, please talk to your GP, Maternal and Child Health nurse, paediatrician or a paediatric physiotherapist

What do I do if my baby is developing a flat head or unusual head shape?
Baby’s heads are very soft and, if they are in one position more than others, they can develop a flat spot. This is called Plagiocephaly. Please read our Kids Health Info fact sheet on Plagiocephaly – misshapen head if you are concerned about this.

Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Physiotherapy Department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

Developed December 2020

Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au.

Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.