Tummy Time Troubles Solved

May 2, 2017

updated, Nov 1, 2025 – Parents often hear about the importance of tummy time, yet overwhelmingly report their babies don’t want to do it! Tummy Time Troubles Solved has tips to help baby enjoy tummy time.

Why Does Your Newborn Need Tummy Time?

Newborns and infants often seem uncomfortable with being placed on their bellies when they’re awake, so why do we do it? Babies spend a LOT of time sleeping. And since it’s been proven that placing babies on their backs to sleep for the first year is one of the best ways to minimize the risk of SIDS, they also spend a LOT of time on their backs. Because of this, we need to give newborns and infants opportunities to exercise their next and shoulder muscles. Stronger muscles = healthier and safer babies. In addition to building neck and shoulder strength, tummy time supports motor development, prevents flat spots (positional plagiocephaly), and helps babies learn to push up, roll and eventually crawl. It’s not just exercise, it’s the foundation for all future movement skills.

So yes, tummy time is your baby’s workout and just like us, sometimes they don’t feel like working out! With slight but important adjustments though, infants can have comfortable, yet productive play and exercise.  

Infant expert Terri Lee Weatherholtz, M.A, CCC-SLP, CDA says: “the time an infant is awake on the floor should consist of 50% back and 50% tummy time.” There’s no exact rules on when to begin tummy time sessions with your baby. Chances are it’s something you and your baby are doing together naturally anyway!

As a guideline however, you can start with 3-5 minute sessions 2-3 days after baby is born, and this is an accepted rule of thumb. As baby grows, tummy time can gradually increase to about 20–30 minutes a day by the time they’re 3 months old. Short, frequent sessions are better than long ones, think “floor time snacks,” not “floor time marathons.”

Tummy Time Troubles Solved – Steps for Success

1. Roll a thin baby blanket (3–4 inches thick) to create a small chest lift.
2. Place baby tummy-down with arms out front and chest resting at nipple level on the blanket.
3. Keep the neck clear of the blanket so weight shifts backward off the tummy.
4. Encourage movement: Use a firm but gentle stroke from the back of the head down to the bottom to activate the neck extensor muscles.
5. Get face-to-face: Lie down on the floor to make eye contact. Smiling and talking help your baby lift their head and build social connection at the same time.
6. Try chest-to-chest: Lying on your back with baby on your chest lets them look “up” at your face—a natural tummy time position for even the youngest infants.

Another way to help tummy time be a fun activity is to lay on your back with baby on your chest, so you’re face to face. With a gentle hold on baby for safety of course, baby will be motivated to look “up” at your face. 

Night Nurse’s Reminder- Always supervise tummy time and use a flat, firm surface instead of a couch or bed to be sure baby is safely positioned.

It’s perfectly fine if tummy time only lasts 5 minutes or less some days.  Eventually continuing the routine a few times a day for longer periods though, helps your baby equate “tummy time” with happy, social time. As always, if your baby consistently dislikes tummy time or shows limited movement or head control after a few weeks, talk to your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist.

For answers to more early care questions, visit our newborn care guide, Your First Week Home with Baby: Ultimate Q&A

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