How to Make Tummy Time Actually Fun: 10 Tips Every New Parent Needs
How to Make Tummy Time Actually Fun: 10 Tips Every New Parent Needs
Why Is Tummy Time Important?
Tummy time — the practice of placing your baby on their tummy while they are awake and supervised — is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics from baby's very first day home. It might seem like a simple thing, but the benefits for your baby's development are profound.
When babies spend time on their tummies, they are working hard. Every time they lift their head, turn to look at something, or push up on their arms, they are building the neck, shoulder and core muscles that they will need for every major physical milestone that follows: rolling over, sitting up independently, crawling, and eventually standing and walking.
What tummy time builds in your baby
- Neck and shoulder strength — the foundation for all head control
- Core and upper body strength — needed for sitting, crawling and walking
- Motor skill development — reaching, grasping and coordination
- Sensory processing — touch, sight and spatial awareness
- Prevention of flat head syndrome (positional plagiocephaly)
- Visual development — babies must focus on objects at different distances
The recommended amount of tummy time increases with age. Newborns can start with just 2–3 minutes at a time, two to three times a day. By the time your baby is 3–4 months old, aim for at least 20–30 minutes of tummy time spread across the day. By 6 months, many babies are spending much of their waking floor time on their tummies naturally — because they want to be there.
The challenge is getting to that point. And that is where the right tummy time toys make all the difference.
10 Tips to Make Tummy Time Fun
Start on your chest, not the floor
Many newborns are perfectly happy lying tummy-down on a parent's chest. This is tummy time — and it counts. The familiar smell, warmth and heartbeat of a parent make this the most comfortable starting point for a brand new baby. Recline slightly in a chair, place baby chest-to-chest, and let them practice lifting their head to look at your face. This is often the best way to introduce the concept in the first two weeks.
newborn tummy time from birthGet a supportive tummy time bolster pillow
One of the biggest reasons babies dislike tummy time is that the position is hard work when they have no support. A tummy time bolster pillow elevates baby's chest, reducing the effort needed to lift their head and making the position more comfortable from day one. Rather than fighting gravity flat on the floor, babies propped at the right angle can actually enjoy looking at the world around them. Our Little Gardener Tummy Time Pillow & Sensory Bolster is designed specifically for this — raising baby at the optimal angle while surrounding them with nature-themed textures to explore.
tummy time bolster pillow for newbornsGive them something exciting to look at
A blank floor is a boring floor. Babies — especially newborns — are strongly drawn to high-contrast patterns and vivid colours because their vision is still developing. Placing a high-contrast baby play mat beneath your baby during tummy time immediately gives them something to focus on. This is both visually stimulating and provides motivation to lift their head and look around. Our Shapes Baby Play Mat uses bold geometric patterns specifically chosen to engage developing newborn vision.
high contrast baby play mat tummy timeUse a tummy time toy with multiple sensory elements
The most effective tummy time toys engage several senses at once — giving your baby something to look at, reach for, listen to and touch. Crinkle sounds, rattle elements, squeaky textures and small mirrors all create an irresistible sensory experience that motivates babies to stay on their tummies longer than they would otherwise. Our Under the Sea Tummy Time Toy includes a crinkly octopus, a rattling fish, a squeaky stingray, a peek-a-boo lobster and a small mirror — five different sensory elements in one toy that babies consistently love.
sensory tummy time toy with crinkle rattle mirrorTime it right — never after a feed
Tummy time immediately after feeding is a recipe for a very unhappy baby (and often a very messy floor). Wait at least 30 minutes after a feed before placing baby on their tummy. The best times for tummy time are often after a nappy change — when baby is alert and comfortable — or after a nap when they've woken up bright and curious. Watch your baby's cues: alert, interested babies will get far more out of tummy time than tired, hungry or overstimulated ones.
when to do tummy time baby tipsGet down on their level
Babies are motivated by faces — especially their parents' faces. Lying down in front of your baby during tummy time and making eye contact, pulling faces, singing and talking gives them the biggest motivation of all to lift their heads: you. This also makes tummy time a bonding activity rather than a chore, which helps both baby and parent feel more positively about it over time.
tummy time tips newborn parentTry the football hold or arm carry
For very young babies who strongly resist floor tummy time, the "football hold" is a useful intermediate step. Hold your baby face-down along your forearm, with their head at your elbow and your hand between their legs, supporting their tummy. This gives them the tummy-down position without the floor, and many babies find this carry soothing rather than stressful. It also frees your other hand, making it practical for daily tasks.
tummy time positions newbornMake the surface comfortable
Hard or scratchy surfaces make tummy time uncomfortable for babies whose skin is sensitive and whose faces are close to the ground. A soft, padded baby play mat makes an enormous difference to how long babies will tolerate the tummy-down position. Our baby play mats are specifically designed with a cushioned surface safe for tummy time from birth — including the Under the Sea Play Mat and the portable, fold-flat Grab and Go Play Mats in mint, navy and teal. The portable mats mean you can do tummy time anywhere — at a grandparent's house, a café, the park — not just at home.
padded baby play mat tummy time from birthKeep sessions short and frequent
Tummy time is hard physical work for a baby. Expecting a newborn to stay on their tummy for 10 minutes at a stretch will only result in frustration for both of you. Instead, aim for many short sessions throughout the day — even two minutes counts. As your baby gets stronger over weeks and months, they will naturally tolerate longer and longer sessions without protest. Progress is gradual, and that is completely normal. Celebrate every extra minute.
how long should tummy time be for newbornUse a play gym to extend tummy time naturally
Once your baby starts to enjoy tummy time — usually around 2–3 months — a baby activity center or play gym takes the experience to the next level. Hanging toys positioned at the right height give babies visual targets to focus on and reach for, transforming tummy time from a strengthening exercise into an exciting game. Our Under the Stars Play Gym and Little Gardener Play Gym both create this experience — with celestial or botanical hanging toys that give babies the motivation to push up, look around and stay on their tummies for longer than you would ever believe.
baby play gym tummy time activity centerHow Much Tummy Time Does My Baby Need?
Here is a quick reference guide for tummy time by age:
Tummy time by age — how much and when
- Newborn to 1 month: 2–5 minutes, 2–3 times per day. Start on your chest.
- 1–2 months: 5–10 minutes, several times per day. Introduce a tummy time mat.
- 2–3 months: 10–15 minutes per session, building toward 30 minutes per day total.
- 3–4 months: 20–30 minutes per day, in multiple sessions. Introduce hanging toys.
- 4–6 months: As much as baby wants — they are likely beginning to enjoy it.
- 6 months+: Baby may begin rolling independently — tummy time evolves naturally.
The Best Tummy Time Setup for Your Baby
The ideal tummy time setup combines three things: a comfortable, padded play surface, a supportive bolster or pillow for younger babies, and a sensory tummy time toy positioned at eye level to give baby something to focus on and reach for.
At Role Play Kids, our entire baby range is designed around this approach. Each theme — Under the Sea, Under the Stars, Little Gardener and Neo Geometric — includes a coordinated play mat, tummy time toy, activity center and play gym that all work together to create an immersive, stimulating environment for your baby from their first days through to their first birthday and beyond.
Shop Our Tummy Time Range
Play mats, sensory bolsters, tummy time toys and baby activity centers — all designed to make tummy time something your baby loves, not dreads.
The Bottom Line
Tummy time is one of the most powerful things you can do for your baby's development in the first year — and it doesn't have to be a struggle. With the right timing, the right surface, and the right sensory tummy time toys, most babies learn to love it within a few weeks. Start small, stay consistent, get down on their level, and let the right tools do the heavy lifting.
Your baby is working hard every time they lift that little head. Cheer them on — and enjoy watching them get stronger every single day.