Tummy time: why it matters in the first six months
Tummy time — supervised time spent on the front while awake — is a baby's first movement experience and an important foundation for early motor and sensory development. You can begin gently from the very first weeks, building up as it becomes part of your baby's daily routine.
Why it helps
- Builds head and neck control
- Strengthens the back, shoulders, and tummy
- Helps prevent flattening of the head from lying in one position
- Supports motor and sensory development
Start with a few minutes several times a day, always supervised, and build up gradually. By around three months, many babies work towards roughly an hour of tummy time spread across the day.
Activities for 0–3 months
- Lay your baby tummy-down across your lap while soothing or winding them
- Place your baby on your chest or tummy, face to face
- Get down to their eye level to encourage eye contact
- Carry them tummy-down along your forearm
Activities for 3–6 months
- Sing calming songs during tummy time
- Play peek-a-boo with a blanket or your hands
- Use rattles or toys that make sounds
- Use a mirror — babies love faces
- Gentle 'baby push-ups' with your hands supporting the chest and tummy
Tummy time is just as important for children developing atypically, using supports suited to the child's age and stage. This is general educational guidance — for a child with motor concerns, a physiotherapist or your treating clinician can tailor an approach.
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