WATCH MY BABY MOVE · FLOOR PLAY
Tummy Time: Gentle Ways to Begin
Tummy time is simply time your baby spends on their tummy while awake and closely supervised. It gives them another view of the world and a chance to explore lifting and turning their head. Short, comfortable moments count; this is not a test to pass.
What you’re seeing
Baby may briefly lift or turn their head, rest their cheek down, push through their forearms or simply become accustomed to the position. Comfort and ability vary, and short attempts are still meaningful exploration.
Why babies do this
Supervised floor play gives babies freedom to move in ways that are different from lying on their back. NHS guidance includes tummy time as one way for babies who are not yet mobile to be physically active.
What you might notice around this stage
Head control, reaching and rolling can begin to appear alongside tummy-time play, but they do not arrive in a fixed order or to a timetable.
Simple ways to encourage movement
Try baby on your chest, lie face-to-face on the floor, place an interesting object within a comfortable view, or use a small rolled towel under the chest if current professional guidance suggests it.
- Only while baby is awake
- Stay close and supervise throughout
- Stop if baby is distressed
- Always place baby on their back for sleep
When to ask for advice
Speak to your health visitor, GP or another healthcare professional if you are worried about how your baby moves, if they seem unusually stiff or floppy, use one side much more than the other, or lose a skill they previously had.