A Blog For Mums
I remember the first time someone told me I needed to start “tummy time” with my newborn. I nodded along politely, pretending I knew exactly what they meant. In reality, I had no clue. Tummy time? Wasn’t that just… lying on their belly?
Fast forward a few years and two babies later, and I’ve got a lot more confidence when it comes to the newborn stage—and tummy time is something I now swear by. If you’re a new mum and you’ve heard the term thrown around but aren’t sure why it’s important or how to actually do it, let me walk you through it.
Tummy time is exactly what it sounds like: time your baby spends on their tummy while they’re awake and being watched. It helps build the muscles they’ll need for things like lifting their head, rolling over, crawling, sitting, and eventually walking.
It’s basically baby gym time.
When your baby is lying on their tummy, they’re using their neck, back, and shoulder muscles to push up and move around. These movements are small at first—just little head lifts—but they’re incredibly important. It’s like strength training for babies (minus the tiny dumbbells).
When my first was born, I didn’t really understand how crucial this was. I’d put him down on his back, let him lie in his bouncer, or cuddle him most of the time. But too much time on their back can lead to something called flat head syndrome (or positional plagiocephaly, if we’re being fancy). It’s when a flat spot develops on the back of the head because of constant pressure.
Tummy time helps prevent that by giving the back of their head a break and encouraging more natural movement and development.
Plus, babies who get plenty of tummy time often reach their physical milestones a bit more smoothly. I really noticed this with my second child. We were much more intentional about it the second time around, and she had much better head control and rolled over earlier than her big brother ever did.
This bit surprised me—you can start tummy time from day one. I always thought newborns were too fragile, but even in the hospital they encouraged me to lay my little one on my chest, skin to skin, for some bonding and light tummy time.
At first, tummy time doesn’t need to be long. A couple of minutes here and there throughout the day is perfect. You’re just helping your baby get used to the position.
By the time they’re a few months old, the goal is around 15 to 30 minutes a day in total. You don’t have to do it all in one go—breaking it into smaller chunks makes it more manageable (and less dramatic when they inevitably cry about it).
Oh, they will. Especially at first.
Both of mine protested hard the first few times I put them on their tummies. There was lots of moaning, a bit of angry face-smushing into the mat, and eventually some wailing. But just like with tummy aches and teething and cutting their nails, they get used to it.
Here are some things that helped us get through the early tummy time drama:
In the early days, you might not see much happening—but trust me, progress is being made. The first time they lift their head off the mat is a massive moment. Then come the mini push-ups, the attempts to roll over, and eventually, they’ll be zooming around the floor like it’s an Olympic sport.
I remember watching my daughter one day push herself up on her forearms and look around like she was Queen of the World. That proud little face made all the grumbling and moaning in the early days worth it.
Honestly, don’t beat yourself up. I didn’t do enough tummy time with my first until he was about two months old. It’s never too late to start.
If your baby is a bit older and not used to being on their tummy, you might need to work up to it slowly. Make it fun, keep them company, and stay consistent. They’ll get there.
And if you’re worried about your baby’s development at any point—whether it’s flat head syndrome, delays in rolling or crawling—definitely speak to your health visitor or GP. They’ve heard it all before and can help you figure out what’s normal and what might need extra support.
Tummy time isn’t always easy, especially when you’re exhausted, covered in milk, and just trying to get through the day. But it is worth it. It’s one of those little things that pays off massively in the long run.
It helps your baby build strength, reach milestones, and explore the world in a whole new way. And best of all, it’s a lovely way to bond with them—just you and your baby, face to face, cheering them on.
So if you’re reading this in between nappy changes and bleary-eyed feeds, just know: you’re doing great. Pop a towel on the floor, plonk your baby down, and give tummy time a go. You’ve got this, Mum.
Baby Care
