Baby Development – Exercises with a Physiotherapist
We have prepared simple exercises you can do with your baby. These exercises have been compiled by our physiotherapist, Maarja Säde, who collaborated with us in creating our activity items. In the videos, Maarja demonstrates easy techniques for exercising with your baby, using our activity mat.
Practicing the All-Fours Position
The quadruped position, or all-fours stance, is crucial in a child's motor development. Moving in this position strengthens the neck, shoulder girdle, core, and limb muscles. It also plays a role in the development of the spine's physiological structures. Crawling in this position enhances coordination, engaging both the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
1. Place the baby on their stomach on a surface.
2. Position your left hand on the baby's sternum and, with your right hand, bring the baby's right leg into a bent position.
3. Shift the baby's weight to their right side, allowing them to bend their left leg independently.
4. Distribute the weight evenly between both sides and gently rock the baby back and forth, helping them transfer weight between hands and legs.
Strengthening Baby's Neck Muscles
This exercise is excellent for strengthening your baby's neck muscles and teaching them to turn to the side.
It's suitable for babies from birth.
Relieving Hyperextension of the Trunk
If your baby often arches their back, they might be experiencing hyperextension, indicating tension in the back muscles. This simple and pleasant exercise can help alleviate muscle tension and is also great for initiating training to roll from back to stomach.
Bringing Baby's Head to the Midline
By the second month, your baby achieves a symmetrical body posture, meaning they can briefly hold their head at the midline. This video offers a good and simple exercise to train this essential skill. Move a toy slowly to the right and left sides, encouraging the baby to maintain attention briefly at the midline. Our Rattle Wand is an excellent tool for practicing this necessary skill.
Training the Prone Position
When lying on their stomach, babies strengthen their neck, core, and shoulder girdle muscles. These muscle groups are vital for acquiring significant motor skills such as rolling, crawling, and creeping. If your baby doesn't enjoy tummy time, this exercise can make it more comfortable.1. Place the baby's upper body on a pillow or rolled towel, ensuring they rest on their forearms.
2. Show interesting toys at the midline to engage them.
3. To further comfort the baby in this position, gently press on their buttocks in a circular motion, helping their pelvic girdle press against the surface and making it easier for them to extend their neck and back muscles.
Transitioning to a Sitting Position
Babies typically move into a sitting position in one of two ways: through side-lying or the all-fours position. In this video, we practice transitioning to a sitting position through side-lying.1. Place one hand on the baby's thigh and grasp the opposite hand with your other hand.
2. Turn the baby to the side and guide them slightly towards you, encouraging them to extend the arm on the ground and push themselves into a side-sitting position.
3. Repeat the exercise on the other side. This exercise is suitable for babies from the 6th month onwards
Physiotherapist Maarja Säde