Tummy Time: Why, When and How Much

The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it prepares babies for being able to slide on their bellies and crawl ¹. You can start the day your baby comes home from the hospital, the American Academy of Pediatrics says ¹.

Key takeaways

• The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time prepares babies for being able to slide on their bellies and crawl ¹.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says that as babies grow older and stronger, they need more time on their tummies to build their own strength ¹.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says you can start tummy time the day your baby comes home from the hospital ¹.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says to work up to 15 to 30 minutes each day by around 7 weeks ¹.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics says to play with a baby while they are awake and on their tummy 2 to 3 times each day for a short time of 3 to 5 minutes ¹.

Back to sleep, tummy to play

**The American Academy of Pediatrics says healthy babies are safest sleeping on their backs at night and during naps ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, even for short naps ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says side sleeping is not as safe as back sleeping and is not advised ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that although a baby can develop a flat spot on the head, it usually rounds out as they grow older and sit up ¹.**

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

What is tummy time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time prepares babies for being able to slide on their bellies and crawl ¹. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says placing an awake baby on the tummy with toys at eye level encourages the baby to practice lifting the head, and that the baby should never be left alone ².

When should I start tummy time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says a parent can begin tummy time the day the baby comes home from the hospital ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics puts it simply: "As babies grow older and stronger, they need more time on their tummies to build their own strength" ¹.

How much tummy time does a baby need?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says to play with a baby while they are awake and on their tummy 2 to 3 times each day for a short time of 3 to 5 minutes ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics puts it this way: "Work up to 15 to 30 minutes each day by 7 weeks" ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that as babies grow older and stronger, they need more time on their tummies to build their own strength ¹.

Is tummy time safe?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says, "Tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched" ¹. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says infants in early care settings should get supervised tummy time every day while they are awake ³. The American Academy of Pediatrics says healthy babies are safest sleeping on their backs at night and during naps ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, even for short naps ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says side sleeping is not as safe as back sleeping and is not advised ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that although a baby can develop a flat spot on the head, it usually rounds out as they grow older and sit up ¹.

Frequently asked questions

What is tummy time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says it prepares babies for being able to slide on their bellies and crawl ¹.

When should I start tummy time?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says, "You can start the day your baby gets home from the hospital" ¹.

How much tummy time does a baby need?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says to play with a baby on their tummy 2 to 3 times each day for a short time of 3 to 5 minutes ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says to work up to 15 to 30 minutes each day by around 7 weeks ¹.

Is tummy time safe?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says tummy time is for babies who are awake and being watched ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says babies should always be placed on their backs to sleep, even for short naps ¹. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that although a baby can develop a flat spot on the head, it usually rounds out as they grow older and sit up ¹.

A note from us

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Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

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Sources

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/back-to-sleep-tummy-to-play.aspx (retrieved 2026-07-10).
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/act-early/milestones/2-months.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/early-care-education/php/obesity-prevention-standards/physical-activity.html (retrieved 2026-07-10).