Tummy Time Without the Tears: 4 Simple Ways to Help Your Baby Enjoy It
Four practical tummy time exercises you can do at home - even if your baby hates tummy time
The leaflet says tummy time.
It doesn't always tell you for how long, in which position, what to do to keep your baby engaged, or what to do when they absolutely hate it.
And if you're a new parent, that can leave you wondering:
Am I doing enough?
Is my baby supposed to enjoy this?
What if they cry every time I put them down?
Here's the thing:
Tummy time doesn't have to mean putting your baby flat on the floor and waiting for them to tolerate it.
There are lots of ways to introduce the same developmental experience through movement, positioning, connection and play.
The goal isn't to force your baby to stay on their tummy for 10 minutes.
The goal is to build up tummy-time tolerance through short, successful bursts of play throughout the day.
The World Health Organization recommends that babies who are not yet mobile spend at least 30 minutes on their backs while awake, spread throughout the day.
The American Academy of Paediatrics similarly recommends starting with short periods and gradually building up tummy time as your baby becomes stronger and more comfortable.
So, let's make those minutes count.
Your 10-minute tummy time protocol
Think of this as a 10-minute menu, not a test.
And if your baby only manages 30 seconds at a time?
That's okay.
30 seconds of successful tummy time is still practice.
You can build from there.
4 Simple Exercises to Try in Your 10-Minute Tummy Time Routine
1. Tummy-to-Tummy
Start with you - not the floor.
If your baby protests the moment you put them down, try putting yourself between them and the floor.
Sit or recline comfortably while you're fully awake and place your baby tummy-down on your chest.
Get close.
Talk to them.
Sing.
Make exaggerated facial expressions.
Let them look at your face.
Your baby is still working their neck, shoulder and upper-body muscles while trying to lift and turn their head to see you.
This position can also make tummy time feel much more like connection than exercise.
Try it for:
2–3 minutes
Or simply until your baby starts showing signs that they've had enough.
Make it a game:
Move your face slowly from one side to the other and encourage your baby to look towards you.
Place a red, shiny sticker on your forehead or nose, or even better a large red ball on your nose.
You're giving them a reason to lift and turn their head.
🤡Your face is the toy.
2. Tummy Time Over Your Lap
A gentle transition to the floor
Sit comfortably and place your baby tummy-down across your thighs.
Support their head and body as needed, keeping their head and body aligned.
Now you can turn this into a little movement game.
Talk to your baby.
Sing.
Gently rock your legs from side to side.
Pause.
Let them look around.
Then bring your face into their visual field again.
This is particularly useful for babies who find the flat floor overwhelming.
Try it for:
2–3 minutes
Make it a game:
Put an interesting toy or hand puppet or your face just slightly to one side.
Wait.
Give your baby a chance to turn their head towards it.
Then repeat on the other side.
You're not just keeping them entertained - you're encouraging them to explore their environment from a new position.
3. The Toy Chase
Now take tummy time to the floor.
Place your baby on a firm, safe floor surface while they are awake and supervised.
Get down at their level.
Don't stand over them.
Get on the floor with them.
Place a favourite toy just within their visual range.
When they look at it, slowly move it:
⬅️ a little to the left
➡️ back to the middle
➡️ a little to the right
You can also place toys around ⭕them so they have opportunities to look and reach in different directions.
Try it for:
2–3 minutes
The trick:
Don't move the toy too quickly.
Give your baby time to notice it.
Then wait.
That little pause is important.
You're giving your baby an opportunity to initiate the movement rather than simply following a toy that's constantly moving.
4. The "I'm Almost Done" Favourite
Finish before your baby completely loses it.
This might be the most important part of the protocol.
You don't have to push tummy time until your baby is exhausted, crying and completely over it.
Instead, watch for your baby's cues.
If they're starting to become frustrated, change the activity or position.
For the final few minutes, return to something they already enjoy.
Maybe that's:
❤️ Your face
🎵 Your singing
🧸 A favourite toy
👋 Your hands
Or simply lying tummy-down across your chest.
The aim is to finish tummy time with a successful experience, rather than making tummy time something your baby learns to dread.
What if your baby still hates tummy time?
First:
You're not doing anything wrong.
Some babies simply take longer to become comfortable in this position.
And tummy time doesn't have to happen in one long session.
In fact, short periods repeated throughout the day can be much more manageable.
Try adding tummy time to moments that already happen:
After a nappy change.
After waking from a nap.
During playtime.
While you're having a cuddle.
Before bath time.
Start with short periods and gradually increasing the amount as your baby becomes stronger and more comfortable.
Your 10-minute tummy time example
You could try:
2 minutes
❤️ Tummy-to-tummy
2 minutes
👶 Tummy across your lap
3 minutes
🧸 Toy chase on the floor
3 minutes
🎵 Favourite activity to finish
That's your 10 minutes.
And tomorrow?
Do it again.
You don't need a perfect 10-minute session.
You need lots of little opportunities to move, look, reach and explore.
One important safety reminder
Tummy time is awake time, not sleep time.
Always supervise your baby closely during tummy time.
For sleep, babies should be placed on their backs on a safe sleep surface. If your baby falls asleep during tummy time, move them to their safe sleep space and place them on their back.
You don't have to wait for a problem.
Tummy time isn't about finding something wrong with your baby.
It's about giving your baby opportunities to move, explore and build skills from the very beginning.
Think of it as getting ahead of potential problem...
Small moments now can become a strong foundation for what's coming next.
Not sure where to start?
If you're not sure where to start or want personalised guidance for your baby:
A 15-minute online Play Consult gives you an opportunity to talk through your concerns and get personalised, practical strategies to support your child's development through play.
👉Because this isn't admitting there's a problem.
This is getting ahead of one.
