If your baby screams the second their tummy touches the floor, you are not alone. Tummy time has a reputation for being one of the trickiest parts of those early months - but it's also one of the most important. The good news? A few small changes can turn tears into (mostly) happy wriggling.
Here's everything you need to know about encouraging tummy time, plus some easy ways to make it more fun.
What is tummy time and why does it matter?
Tummy time simply means placing your baby on their stomach while they're awake and supervised. It looks simple, but it's doing a lot of heavy lifting for your baby's development:
- Building strength: It strengthens the neck, shoulder, and core muscles babies need for rolling, sitting, and crawling.
- Supporting healthy head shape: Since babies sleep on their backs (which is essential for safe sleep), tummy time helps balance out that pressure and reduces the chance of a flat spot developing.
- Encouraging exploration: Lifting their head to look around helps babies build coordination and curiosity about the world.
When should you start?
Tummy time can start from day one - even a few minutes on your chest counts. As your baby grows, sessions can get longer and more frequent throughout the day. Every baby is different, so if you're ever unsure how much is right for yours, your health visitor or GP is a great person to ask.
Tips to encourage tummy time
1. Start small and build up
A newborn won't last long on their tummy, and that's completely normal. A couple of minutes, a few times a day, is a great place to start. As your baby gets stronger, they'll naturally want to stay down there longer.
2. Get down to their level
Babies love faces. Lying down in front of them, making eye contact, and chatting away gives them a reason to lift their head and look up.
3. Try chest-to-chest time
If your baby isn't keen on the floor, try lying back and placing them tummy-down on your chest instead. It's a gentle first step that still builds those neck and shoulder muscles - with plenty of snuggles built in.
4. Pick the right moment
Tummy time tends to go best when your baby is alert, fed, and freshly changed. Trying it straight after a feed or when they're tired can make things trickier than they need to be.
5. Bring in something to look at
A textured book, a mirror, or a high-contrast toy placed just in front of them gives babies a reason to push up and explore. Touch-and-feel books work especially well here, since the bumpy, crinkly, or soft textures give little hands something exciting to reach for while their neck muscles do the work.
6. Change the scenery
A blanket on the floor, a play mat, or even out on the grass (weather permitting!) - mixing things up keeps tummy time feeling fresh rather than repetitive.
Making tummy time fun with sensory play
One of the easiest ways to keep a wriggly baby engaged is to give them something irresistible to look at and touch. Our Never Touch series is full of bumpy, silicone textures that babies love to explore with their hands, while our Sensory Snuggables combine a cuddly plush toy with a textured cloth book - perfect for propping just within reach during tummy time. One of our favourites is our Sensory Play Book - a compact book that folds out into the perfect tummy time sensory mat.
Bright colours, interesting textures, and a friendly face to look at can make all the difference between a tummy time strop and a few minutes of happy exploring.
What if your baby really doesn't like it?
It's completely normal for tummy time to take some getting used to. If your baby protests, try shorter, more frequent sessions rather than one long stretch, and mix in plenty of chest-to-chest time. Celebrate the small wins - even 30 seconds of tummy time is progress worth cheering for.
A quick safety reminder
Tummy time should always be supervised, and babies should never be left alone on their tummy, even for a moment. And remember: while tummy time is important for awake, supervised play, babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep.
The takeaway
Tummy time doesn't have to be a battle. With a little patience, some face-to-face fun, and the right sensory toys to keep little hands busy, those few minutes on the floor can become one of the highlights of your baby's day.
Looking for the perfect tummy time companion? Explore our full range of sensory books and plush toys, designed to turn playtime into a sensory adventure.
