Struggling to Get Your Baby to Enjoy Tummy Time? These 6 Things Actually Worked for my Baby 🤍

 I’ll be honest, tummy time wasn’t something my baby naturally loved at first.

There were moments where it felt like I was trying everything… only for it to last a few seconds before the fussing started.

And as a first-time mom, I kept wondering if I was doing something wrong.

But slowly, I started noticing something:

It wasn’t that my baby hated tummy time…
She just needed the right kind of stimulation to actually enjoy it.

Once I made a few small changes, everything shifted.

Tummy time became less of a struggle… and more of a moment we could both enjoy.

So if you’re in that phase too, here are a few things that genuinely worked for my baby 🤍

1. Oball (easy to hold, hard to ignore)

This was one of the first things that worked.

The shape made it easy for her to grab, even at that early stage.
She stayed focused. She reached. She stayed a little longer.

It gave her something to do instead of just being there.

👉 [Here is the direct link to the one I use, or you can also purchase this 7pcs set]

2. Flash Cards (simple, but they work)

I didn’t expect much from this.

But the contrast, the colours, the shapes, holds her attention.

She would stare, process, stay still.
And just like that, tummy time lasted longer without forcing it.

👉 [I have several flashcards. This is one, and another]

3. Books (a quiet kind of engagement)

Not for reading. Just for looking.

Placing a simple picture book in front of her gave her something calm to focus on.

It slowed everything down.
Less resistance. More presence.

[My babies current favorite book]

4. Mirror (this changed everything)

This one shifted everything.

She saw herself and stayed.

More head lifting. More curiosity.
Less fussing.

It didn’t feel like “tummy time” anymore. It felt like discovery. 

To save cost, you can get a tummy time mat that comes with a mirror.

5. Hanging Toys (turning it into play)

This made it interactive.

Reaching. Swiping. Trying again.

She wasn’t just lying there,  she was doing something.

And that made all the difference.

6. Tummy Time Mat (creating a space they want to stay in)

This tied everything together.

Having a soft, comfortable mat made tummy time feel less like a task and more like a space.

It gave her room to move, explore, and stay longer without discomfort.

I noticed she was calmer, more willing, and more engaged when she was on a surface that felt good.

Sometimes it’s not just what they’re doing, it’s where they’re doing it.

[This tummy time mat has really helped my baby enjoy her time even more]

Final thoughts

Tummy time isn’t always natural.

It didn’t feel easy for us at first.

But once I stopped trying to make it work and started helping her engage with it, it became something different.

Not perfect. Not effortless.
But better.

If you’re in this stage too,  figuring it out one day at a time, you’re not alone 🤍

Let’s Connect!


If you’re a new mom too, or just navigating motherhood in your own way, I’d love to connect with you 

📩 Email: genysbubble@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: @genysbubble
🌸 Blog: Geny’s Bubble

Come say hi,  I share more real moments, motherhood experiences, and soft lifestyle content over on Instagram too.





(Note: This post includes some affiliate links)



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