Tummy time is one of the first and most important exercises your baby will do—long before crawling or sitting up. But many new parents aren’t sure when to start tummy time with newborn, or how to do it safely.

The good news? It’s easier than it sounds, and starting early can help your baby develop strong neck, shoulder, and core muscles. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best time to begin, how to do it right, and simple tips to make tummy time a positive part of your baby’s daily routine.

What Is Tummy Time?

Tummy time is simply placing your baby on their belly while they’re awake, alert, and fully supervised. It might sound basic, but it plays a big role in your baby’s early development.

During tummy time, your baby works against gravity to lift and turn their head, push up with their arms, and eventually start rolling or crawling. These movements help strengthen the neck, shoulders, arms, and core muscles and boost motor skills.

Why Is It Important for Newborns?

Tummy time packs a lot of benefits into a few supervised minutes:

• Stronger muscles from head to toe. Pushing against the floor builds neck, shoulder, back, and arm strength—the same muscles your baby will use to sit, crawl, and eventually walk.
• A rounder, healthier head shape. Spending all night on their back can flatten the soft skull. Regular tummy sessions relieve that constant pressure and help prevent positional plagiocephaly (flat-head syndrome) and tight neck muscles (torticollis).
• Faster motor-skill progress. Babies who log consistent tummy time often roll, crawl, and pull to stand sooner because they’ve already been practicing the skills needed to fight gravity.
• Better sensory and visual development. Lifting the head lets your baby scan the room, track your face, and explore sights, sounds, and textures from a brand-new angle, which supports eye coordination and spatial awareness.
• Relief from gas and fussiness. Gentle pressure on the tummy can also help move trapped air through the digestive tract, making your baby more comfortable.
• Built-in bonding time. Getting down on the floor with your baby—singing, chatting, or guiding their hands toward a favorite toy—turns tummy time into quality face-to-face play for you both.

When to Start Tummy Time with Newborn

You can kick off tummy-time practice almost as soon as you and your baby settle in at home. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing your little one on their belly the very day you bring them back from the hospital, starting with two or three sessions that last just 1–3 minutes each.

Because a fresh-from-the-hospital newborn still has a delicate cord stump, many parents begin “tummy-to-tummy”: recline on the couch or bed and let your baby rest on your chest so they learn the position while still feeling your heartbeat.

From there, move to a firm blanket or play mat on the floor whenever your baby is awake and content—after a nap or diaper change works well—so they can start lifting that tiny head against gravity. Aim to add a minute or two every few days, working toward a combined total of 15–30 minutes a day by about seven weeks old.

If your baby was premature or has medical needs, ask the NICU or pediatric team for a personalized start date, but know that most preemies can begin gentle tummy time sooner than you might think.

The big takeaway? When you wonder “When can I start tummy time with newborn?”, the answer is often “right away—just keep it short, supervised, and frequent.”

How to Do Tummy Time Safely

Tummy time should always be done with safety in mind. Here’s how to make sure your baby is supported and secure every step of the way:

1. Stay within arm’s reach. Tummy time is always a supervised activity. If your baby gets tired or plants their face down, you’re close enough to help.
2. Choose a firm, flat surface. A clean play mat or baby-safe blanket on the floor is ideal. Sofas, beds, or stroller seats are too soft or sloped and raise the suffocation risk. Pediatric safety experts caution against trending “stroller tummy time” hacks seen on social media.
3. Start chest-to-chest. Especially in the first week, lying your newborn on your chest lets them practice lifting their head while still feeling secure.
4. Time it right. Try tummy sessions when your baby is alert—after diaper changes or short naps. Skip the minutes right after a feeding to avoid spit-up and discomfort.
5. Make it fun (and short). Get down at eye level, sing, shake a rattle, or place a mirror nearby to catch their interest. End the session if fussing turns to crying; you can always try again later. Gradually stretch each attempt from a few breaths to several minutes.
6. Roll to back for sleep. If your baby dozes off mid-session, gently roll them onto their back in a safe sleep space—never let a sleeping infant remain face-down

Tummy Time Milestones by Age

Every baby meets milestones on their own schedule, but there’s a general rhythm you can expect if you stick with daily tummy-time sessions:

Weeks 0 – 4

Your newborn may only manage a quick head bob or a cheek lift while resting on your chest or a firm blanket. Those tiny lifts are building neck and shoulder strength already, so celebrate the effort and keep sessions to a minute or two.

1 – 2 Months

You’ll notice steadier head control. Many babies can briefly hold their head at about a 45-degree angle and turn from one cheek to the other. Aim for a total of 10-15 minutes of tummy time spread throughout the day.

3 Months

Mini push-ups appear—your baby props on forearms and lifts the chest off the floor. Head control is stronger, making exploration more fun. Work up to 20–30 minutes daily, broken into short, playful intervals.

4 – 5 Months

Pushing up on straight arms becomes the new trick, and many babies start rolling front-to-back (the easier direction). Consistent tummy time is what gives them the strength and confidence to flip.

6 Months and Beyond

Expect longer, more independent play on the belly—pivoting in a circle, reaching for toys, and rolling both ways. By now, the groundwork is laid for crawling, so don’t be surprised when your little one starts rocking on hands and knees.

Remember, these are guideposts, not deadlines. If you’re unsure about your baby’s progress—or tummy time is consistently distressing—check in with your pediatrician or a pediatric physical therapist.

Tummy Time Tips

Most babies don’t love tummy time at first—and that’s normal. With a few simple tricks, you can make it something both you and your baby enjoy and look forward to.

Blend it into your routine.

Place your baby tummy-down after each diaper change or nap. Short, predictable bursts add up fast and feel less like a chore.

Try the chest-to-chest start.

Recline on the couch and let your newborn rest on your torso. Your heartbeat, warmth, and face are built-in motivation—and it still counts as tummy time.

Roll up a towel for support.

A small towel or nursing pillow under the chest shifts weight back and frees the arms, making those early sessions less frustrating.

Bring on the entertainment.

Get down face-to-face, shake a rattle, place a black-and-white cloth book nearby, or prop up a baby-safe mirror. Interesting sights and sounds encourage longer lifts.

One toy that fits perfectly into tummy‑time play is the Alilo bunny baby rattle. Its easy‑grip handle lets you shake 66 gentle nature sounds to grab your baby’s attention; before long, they’ll reach for it and jiggle it themselves. The soft silicone bunny ears glow in seven soothing colors, encouraging visual tracking and adding a dash of wonder to each lift of the head.

Tap a button, and it also plays nursery rhymes, stories, or lullabies—handy for winding down once the workout is over. With music, lights, and a friendly face, the Alilo Bunny turns an ordinary minute on the mat into a mini floor‑show your baby will want to repeat.

Watch the clock—and your baby.

Start with 1–2 minutes; if fussing ramps up, scoop them up and try again later. Happy practice beats forced reps every time.

Make it social.

Siblings can lie beside the baby, or you can narrate what your little one is doing: “You’re pushing up so high!” Positive feedback turns effort into play.

Stay consistent.

Daily practice—no matter how brief—produces steadier progress than sporadic marathons. Think of tummy time as brushing teeth: small, regular doses work best.

Conclusion

Knowing when to start tummy time with newborn babies is really about trusting the process and starting small. A couple of supervised minutes on their tummy, right from the first week, helps your little one build strength, ease gas, and hit those exciting motor milestones. Use a comfy play mat, your encouraging voice, and maybe a favorite baby rattle, and tummy time turns into one of the day’s sweetest moments. Keep it relaxed, follow your baby’s cues, and celebrate every wiggle—each second you spend together on the floor is a step toward stronger muscles and a happier, curious explorer.

FAQs

Can I do tummy time on my chest?

Yes, doing tummy time on your chest is a great way to start, especially in the early weeks when your baby is still developing neck strength. It encourages bonding, allows your baby to hear your heartbeat and voice, and motivates them to lift their head to look at your face—all while safely practicing the essential motor skills tummy time helps develop.

How long should tummy time be each day?

You can start tummy time as soon as your baby comes home by placing them on their tummy for just 1 to 2 minutes, a few times a day while they’re awake and alert. As your baby gets stronger, gradually increase the time, working up to 20 to 30 minutes daily by 3 months of age, and aiming for a full hour by 6 months—spread out in several short, supervised play sessions throughout the day.

What if my baby falls asleep during tummy time?

If your baby nods off, end the session and gently roll them onto their back in the crib or bassinet. Tummy time is intended for supervised play while your baby is awake, and babies should always sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Is tummy time necessary if my baby sleeps on their back?

Yes—more than ever. Putting your baby to sleep on their back reduces the risk of SIDS, but giving them daily tummy time while they’re awake is crucial for healthy development. It builds the strength in their neck, shoulders, arms, and back that they’ll need to roll over, sit up, and eventually crawl, while also helping to prevent flat spots on the back of their head.