Tummy time is one of the first real jobs you can own with a newborn, and it's mostly lying on the floor making faces. This is a few short sessions a day, face to face, that build the neck and arm strength your baby needs to roll, sit and crawl.
Dad Field Manual editors · Drafted with AI help · Published Oct 15, 2026
A small towel, rolled, to prop under their armsHave
One or two baby toys or a board book with bold picturesHave
A timer on your phoneHave
Where: A blanket on a clear patch of floor, or you lying back on the couch or bed with the baby on your chest, wide awake and watching.
Before you start
Awake and watched, every time. Tummy time is only while your baby is awake and you're right there. If they get sleepy, it's over.
Back to sleep, always. When they doze off, put them on their back in their own crib or bassinet, even for a short nap.
Chest time means you stay awake. If you feel yourself drifting, sit up and move the baby to their back in their crib.
Clear the floor. No pets, pillows or older kids' small toys within reach, and never on a couch edge or bed alone.
02Steps
Pick the moment
DadGo when they're awake and content, like after a diaper change or when they wake from a nap. Starting the day you get home is fine. Set a timer for 3 minutes.
Start on your chest
DadIn the first days, lie back and set the baby tummy-down on your chest. They'll try to lift their head to see your face. Talk to them: "Hey, I'm right here. Look at you."
Move to the floor
DadLay the baby tummy-down on the blanket. If their head is hard to lift, slide the rolled towel under their chest and arms. Lie on your belly so your face is level with theirs, about a foot away.
Give them something to look at
TogetherMake faces, sing, or hold a toy just out of reach so they stretch for it. Move the toy slowly side to side, or set toys in a circle around them so they look and reach in different directions.
Stop before the meltdown
DadWhen they fuss, roll them onto their back or pick them up. That's the session. A minute counts. Try again later in the day.
Build it up
DadAim for two or three short sessions a day at first. As they start to like it, make each one a little longer. AAP suggests working up to 15 to 30 minutes a day in total by about 7 weeks.
03If it stalls
If they hate the floor, go back to your chest or your lap, tummy-down across your knees. That counts too.
If they cry the moment they're down, get your face closer. Many babies settle when they can see you.
If you only manage one minute at a time, do more sessions instead of longer ones.
If you notice they always turn their head one way, ask the baby's doctor at the next checkup.
04Variations
First weeks
Mostly chest time and lap time, a few minutes at a stretch. Your face is the best toy they have.
Around 2 to 4 months
Floor sessions get longer. Put toys in a circle around them and move a little farther away so they reach and pivot.
With a big brother or sister
Let an older kid lie on the floor face to face with the baby while you watch both. They can make the faces.
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AAP: Back to sleep, tummy to play. Babies are safest sleeping on their backs for naps and at night. Tummy time is for babies who are awake and closely supervised. Play with your baby on their tummy 2 to 3 times a day for 3 to 5 minutes, starting the day you get home from the hospital, increase it as they enjoy it, and work up to 15 to 30 minutes a day by 7 weeks. Ideas include after a diaper change or nap, putting yourself or a toy within reach, toys in a circle, and lying back with the baby on your chest. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) Checked Oct 15, 2026
NIH Safe to Sleep: Tummy time. Tummy time means placing your baby on their stomach while they are awake and someone is watching. It helps strengthen neck, shoulder and arm muscles, build motor skills and prevent flat spots on the back of the head. Most babies can start a day or two after birth with two or three 3- to 5-minute sessions a day, growing longer with age; tips include a blanket on a clear floor, a rolled towel under the arms, and someone sitting in front of the baby. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NIH), Safe to Sleep campaign Checked Oct 15, 2026
AAP: Safe sleep. Place babies on their backs to sleep on a firm, flat surface with no soft objects, and avoid falling asleep with your baby on a couch, soft armchair or cushion. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) Checked Oct 15, 2026
Dad Field Manual · Field card 116 · New Dads & Babies
Tummy time with Dad
Tummy time is one of the first real jobs you can own with a newborn, and it's mostly lying on the floor making faces. This is a few short sessions a day, face to face, that build the neck and arm strength your baby needs to roll, sit and crawl.
Time
3–5 min, a few times a day
Cost
$0
Ages
Newborn to 1
Where
The floor or your chest
What you need
A blanket on a clear patch of floor
A small towel, rolled, to prop under their arms
One or two baby toys or a board book with bold pictures
A timer on your phone
Before you start
Awake and watched, every time. Tummy time is only while your baby is awake and you're right there. If they get sleepy, it's over.
Back to sleep, always. When they doze off, put them on their back in their own crib or bassinet, even for a short nap.
Chest time means you stay awake. If you feel yourself drifting, sit up and move the baby to their back in their crib.
Clear the floor. No pets, pillows or older kids' small toys within reach, and never on a couch edge or bed alone.
Steps
Pick the moment. Start after a diaper change or a nap, when they're awake and happy. Timer for 3 minutes.
Start on your chest. Lie back with the baby tummy-down on your chest and talk so they lift their head to see you.
Move to the floor. Baby tummy-down on the blanket, towel under the arms if needed, your face level with theirs.
Give them something to look at. Make faces or hold a toy just out of reach, and move it side to side.
Stop before the meltdown. When they fuss, roll them over or pick them up. Try again later.
Build it up. Two or three short sessions a day, a bit longer as they enjoy it, toward 15 to 30 minutes a day by 7 weeks.
If it stalls
If they hate the floor, go back to your chest or your lap, tummy-down across your knees. That counts too.
If they cry the moment they're down, get your face closer. Many babies settle when they can see you.
