There are many benefits when we exercise our baby regularly. It develops body awareness, muscle strength, muscle tone, range of motion, and balance. It also helps babies develop fine motor skills, bond with their parents, sleep better, and ease constipation and gas. Having said that, there are tips and tricks for the baby’s first three months of life.
Tummy Time – The goal is to strengthen neck and arm muscles. Tummy time should be done several times a day, beginning with a few minutes when the baby is awake. You can extend the length of each session as the infant becomes more comfortable. You can start putting on their tummy as soon as they got out from the hospital. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 2-3 times a day after diaper changing and increase gradually as baby is comfortable enough.
Turning Head side to side – The goal is to increase head control. Place the baby on the floor or in a bed, face down. Assist him with turning his head from side to side.
You’ll probably have to do most of the movement for him at first, but with practice, he’ll be able to do it on his own.
Shoulder Lift – The goal is to enhance head control. Attempts to keep head upright for a few seconds. Place the infant on the floor or in a bed with his or her back to you. Encourage the infant to turn his head to the right by lifting the right shoulder a few inches. Repeat on the other side.
Fingers clenched – The goal is to enhance arms and hand. When toys are placed in his hand, he grabs them firmly. Allow the infant to grasp your fingers with one or both hands and move them in different directions slowly.
Moving Rattle – The goal is to enhance hearing ability. Pays close attention to speech and strange noises. Shake a rattle and move it up and down in front of the baby’s ears, about 6 inches apart.
Pushing Baby’s Feet – The goal is to strengthen leg muscles. When the feet are pressed against a firm surface, the pressure is applied. Place a little pillow or your hands against the soles of the baby’s feet while she is laying on her back. Her goal is to try to push the object by extending and retracting her legs.
Improving Grip – The goal is to strengthen arms and hands. Place the infant on a soft area face up and have her grab a ring or bar. Pull the object she’s holding and slowly raise her a few inches. If she still has trouble controlling her head or grasping, raise her a few inches and assist her by placing your hands over hers. Assist her in regaining control of the thing if she loses her hold.
Bicycle Exercise– The objective is to enhance leg muscles and ease constipation problems. Hold the baby’s feet and move her legs as if she were riding a bicycle with her face up.
Discovering Leg – The goal is to enhance leg muscles. Hold the baby under his armpits and lower him till his feet contact the floor while sitting or kneeling on the floor. Then, while sweeping his feet across the floor, move him forward and backward 5 times.
To summarize, these exercises aid in the development of the baby’s sensory and, in particular, gross motor skills. This should be done on a frequent basis until the baby feels comfortable doing so.
Disclosure: This blog may include affiliate links, which means that if you buy something through my links, I will make a tiny commission at no additional cost to you.
The goal of my blog is to inform readers and share what I know about my experiences on my travels, motherhood and my crafts which may include product suggestions.
Thank you so much for using my affiliate link if you decide to make a purchase!
