How do I make tummy time enjoyable so my baby builds strength? 

Parenting Perspective 

Tummy time is one of the earliest ways babies develop strength, coordination, and awareness of their bodies. By spending short periods on their stomachs, infants learn to lift their heads and push up with their arms, strengthening the muscles needed for crawling and sitting. Yet many parents feel anxious when their baby resists, crying or fussing after only a short while. This can create tension, as parents worry their child may fall behind. 

The key is to remember that tummy time is not meant to be a struggle but a gradual, playful practice. Babies often dislike it at first because the position feels challenging and their muscles are still weak. Forcing them to endure long stretches can create a negative association with the activity. Instead, short and enjoyable sessions will help them build strength at their own pace. 

Start with Short, Playful Sessions 

Begin with just a minute or two several times a day. Place your baby on a soft mat where they feel secure and join them on the floor, lying on your stomach so you are face-to-face. Your presence offers reassurance, and simple gestures like smiling or singing can make the experience enjoyable. Babies are motivated by connection, so turning tummy time into shared play is often highly effective. 

Introduce Gentle Motivation and Variety 

Introducing variety can also help. Place a colourful toy or a baby-safe mirror just within reach to encourage them to lift their head and stretch their arms. If your baby dislikes being flat, try placing them on your chest while you recline. This allows them to practise lifting their head while feeling close and comforted by you. 

Focus on Progress, Not Comparison 

Avoid comparing your baby’s tolerance for tummy time with that of other children. Some babies will enjoy longer sessions quickly, while others build endurance more slowly. Instead of worrying, try to celebrate small improvements, such as your baby holding their head up a little higher or for a few seconds longer. These moments are clear signs of steady progress. 

Consistency Over Duration 

Remember that consistency is more important than duration. Several short and positive sessions throughout the day, especially when your baby is alert and rested, will gradually build strength. Over time, your child will naturally increase how long they can stay on their tummy. Your calm and cheerful attitude ensures that tummy time becomes associated with safety and joy rather than stress. 

Spiritual Insight 

From an Islamic perspective, strengthening the body is an act of trust. The human body is an amanah, a gift from Allah entrusted to our care. Even in infancy, parents guide their children in ways that prepare them for future growth. Tummy time, though simple, is one of the first opportunities to nurture this trust while also teaching patience and gratitude. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah An Nahl (16), Verses 78: 

‘And Allah brought you out of the wombs of your mothers while you knew nothing, and He gave you hearing, sight and hearts that you might give thanks…’ 

This verse reminds us that every ability is a blessing from Allah. A baby on their tummy, learning to lift their head, is living out this verse in its earliest form. Each attempt is a gift from Allah unfolding. For parents, recognising these small achievements as signs of divine mercy transforms an ordinary routine into a moment of worship. 

It is recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 79, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.’ 

Although this Hadith speaks to adults, it carries a lesson for parenting. Building strength, even in infancy, prepares the body for future acts of worship and service. By making tummy time enjoyable, you are laying the foundation for health and resilience, qualities that will one day enable your child to stand in prayer and serve others. 

When parents treat tummy time as both play and an amanah, they bring spiritual meaning to physical growth. In this way, tummy time is not merely exercise but an expression of gratitude, shaping both the body and the soul from the earliest days of life.