As parents, we all want to give our babies the very best start in life. One of the easiest and most beneficial activities you can introduce from an early age is tummy time.
Although it may seem like simple play, spending time on their tummy helps babies build strength, develop important motor skills and prepare for milestones such as rolling, sitting and crawling.
The good news? It only takes a few minutes a day, and adding colourful sensory books can make tummy time something your baby genuinely enjoys.
What is tummy time?
Tummy time is when your baby spends time lying on their tummy while they are awake and supervised.
Because babies spend so much time sleeping on their backs (which is the safest sleeping position), tummy time gives them the opportunity to strengthen muscles that aren't used as much while lying on their back.
It also allows them to explore the world from a completely different perspective.
Why is tummy time important?
Regular tummy time offers many developmental benefits, including:
- Strengthens neck, shoulder and back muscles.
- Builds the core muscles needed for rolling, crawling and walking.
- Helps improve head control.
- Encourages reaching, grasping and early hand-eye coordination.
- Reduces the chance of developing flat spots on the back of the head.
- Supports sensory development as babies explore different textures, colours and sounds.
Even just a few minutes several times a day can make a real difference.
When should you start tummy time?
Many health professionals recommend introducing tummy time from the first few weeks after birth, once you're both comfortable.
Start with short sessions of just 1-2 minutes, a few times throughout the day.
As your baby grows stronger, gradually increase the length of each session. By around 3 months, many babies can enjoy around 20-30 minutes of tummy time spread across the day, gradually building towards around an hour in total by 6 months, broken into shorter sessions.
Remember that every baby develops at their own pace.
How can you make tummy time more enjoyable?
Some babies love tummy time straight away, while others need a little encouragement.
Here are a few ideas:
- Get down on the floor so your baby can see your face.
- Smile, chat and sing to them.
- Use a soft play mat or blanket.
- Introduce colourful sensory books.
- Use books with textures, mirrors, crinkle pages or bright illustrations.
- Rotate toys regularly to keep things interesting.
- Keep sessions short and finish before your baby becomes overtired.
The aim is to make tummy time feel like fun rather than a chore.
Why sensory books are perfect for tummy time
Books aren't just for bedtime.
Many baby books are specifically designed to encourage sensory exploration and tummy time.
Features such as:
- Bright high-contrast colours
- Touch-and-feel textures
- Lift-the-flap pages
- Mirrors
- Crinkle materials
- Different shapes and interactive elements
encourage babies to lift their heads, reach forwards and stay engaged for longer.
They also help develop visual tracking, curiosity and early language skills as you talk about what your baby is seeing and touching.
Discover baby books designed for early learning
At Discover Books, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with books from the very beginning.
That's why we've carefully selected a range of baby books designed to support:
- Tummy time
- Sensory exploration
- Early learning
- Fine motor development
- Parent and baby bonding
Whether you're looking for touch-and-feel books, sensory play books or interactive board books, there's something to help make those early learning moments even more special.
👉 Browse our Baby Books collection: https://discoverbooks.co.uk/collections/baby-books
A few tummy time safety tips
Always remember:
- Tummy time should only happen when your baby is awake.
- Always supervise your baby.
- Place your baby on a firm, flat surface.
- Always put your baby to sleep on their back.
- Stop if your baby becomes overly tired or distressed and try again later.
Short, regular sessions are far more effective than trying to do one long session.
Final thoughts
Tummy time may only take a few minutes each day, but it plays a huge role in your baby's physical development and confidence.
Adding colourful sensory books makes those moments even more engaging while encouraging a lifelong love of reading from the very beginning.
At Discover Books, we're passionate about helping families create more opportunities for learning, bonding and screen-free play - one book at a time.
Explore our Baby Books collection today and discover books that can make tummy time one of your baby's favourite parts of the day.