When should I put my baby on his tummy?

Even as a newborn, when your baby is awake, let him spend some time on his tummy to help strengthen the neck and shoulders. This will help their head control and healthy development. Always supervise you’re her during "tummy time" and be ready to help if she gets tired or frustrated in this position. She will gradually get stronger.

But never put him on his tummy to sleep. The recommendations from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) and the Department of Health, outlines the key steps parents can take to reduce the risk of cot death. A key piece of their advice is to place your baby on their back to sleep. In 2006 FSID introduced a campaign to help parents to remember the importance of putting sleeping babies on the back, but when they are awake allow them to spend time on their front or sitting up safely. When your baby is awake they should spend a lot of time in different positions, not always lying on the back.