The amount of time your baby spends lying on his stomach, awake and playing is very important for healthy growth and development. Babies learn to support their heads and pull themselves up (the basis for crawling) while lying prone. Given how much it is now recommended that newborns sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), it becomes even more important to plan times when your baby is free to play. prone position.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Part 1: Knowing When to Get Him Lying on the Pancino
Step 1. Start placing your baby in a prone position now for healthy growth
If your baby was born on time and has no serious health problems, you can have him lie down on his tummy as soon as you get home from the hospital - just remember not to put the baby prone when he sleeps (this increases the risk of SIDS). Babies won't be able to move much at first, so limit the time to a few minutes and make sure the baby is comfortable.
Some babies may feel uncomfortable lying on their stomach until the umbilical stump falls off. If that's the case, you can wait a few weeks to get started
Step 2. Talk to your pediatrician if you are concerned about putting the baby on its stomach
If the baby was born prematurely or has any health problems, get the doctor's approval before you start putting him in the prone position. And above all, which is true for all newborns, don't let him sleep prone.
Step 3. Choose the best time
If you can plan the times for him to spend time in the prone position, you can maximize the chances of your baby having fun. Choose a time when your baby is awake, cheerful, and not hungry, and get into the habit of lying prone after a diaper change.
- It would be better if the baby did not get hungry, but it is also better not to let him sit on his tummy immediately after feeding, as he could regurgitate.
- Never make it sit on your tummy when you put it to sleep. This must be a daytime and stimulating activity.
Part 2 of 4: Part 2: Putting the Baby in Position
Step 1. Start in a comfortable and familiar position
For infants, you can start by lying down yourself, on your back, and placing the baby on you, belly to belly. Your baby will feel reassured by your proximity and your heartbeat. When it grows, you can start using a flat surface (a large bed or a blanket on the ground). Place the baby lying on his stomach on the flat surface; check it to make sure it is supporting your head well. Make sure you stay close to him by keeping an eye on him for the entire length of time he is in the prone position.
Babies struggle more when prone, so your baby may complain at first. Don't be in a hurry and pick him up if he starts to cry or is very upset
Step 2. Adjust the baby's arms
Make sure the arms are forward so that the baby can use them to pull himself up. Babies with locked or backward arms will not only feel uncomfortable, but they will not be able to reap the full benefits of this position.
Step 3. Change the location
If the baby is fidgeting, you can try sitting down and holding him on your lap. Cross one leg over the other, then place the baby's head and shoulders on the tallest leg. Sing him softly, talk to him and massage his back.
You can also try holding the baby in your arms by putting him prone (be sure to support the muscles until he can do it himself). However, this is not as effective as the prone position on a flat surface
Step 4. Lift the baby
If your baby still can't use his hands to pull himself up, roll up a blanket and place it under his arms for support. Sometimes children like this change of position.
You can also use an infant pillow
Step 5. Slowly increase the duration
If it's a baby, you can start letting him prone for a minute or two at a time, gradually increasing the time, up to an hour a day when the baby is four or five months old.
The child does not need an hour in a row in the prone position; you can safely break up the duration into several shorter sessions
Part 3 of 4: Making Time Spending on the Pancino Fun
Step 1. Keep the child company
Don't just lay him flat on his stomach and then walk away. Instead, lie down on your stomach too, facing him. Then talk to him, sing him songs, make funny faces - anything that comes naturally and entertains him.
Step 2. Add toys
As the baby grows, entertain him with colorful toys as he spends time in the prone position. Try waving the toy in front of his face and moving it around him; this will encourage him to lift his head, move it, and eventually try to get the toy.
Step 3. Don't force it
If the baby cries or protests, you can put him back upright earlier than expected. The key is to give the child the opportunity to get used to the position and exercise different muscles, not to force him to a strict schedule. The time he spends on his tummy must always be fun and interesting for him.
Part 4 of 4: Observe the Results
Step 1. Observe your baby's ability to lift his head
By the end of the first month, he should be able to lift his head for a short period of time and move his feet a little, as if he were crawling.
Step 2. Observe when the head turns
By the second month, the baby should be able to hold his head up for a longer period of time and turn it from side to side.
Step 3. Pay attention to the child's balance
By the third month, the baby should be able to stand on his arms and pelvis, especially with the help of a blanket. By the fourth month, you will notice how well he balances on his stomach and by the fifth month, you will see him trying to get toys.
Step 4. Observe how his strength develops
The baby will get stronger and stronger in the first few months. By the end of the seventh month, the baby should be able to support himself with one hand while trying to grab a toy with the other.
Step 5. Look for signs of mobility
Some babies start crawling in the eighth or ninth month. You may also see your baby trying to pull himself up into a kind of standing position.
Advice
- Let the baby decide how long to stay on the tummy. Don't force it. Pick it up if it starts crying or moaning.
- Don't put too much weight on the timing of the results. Talk to your pediatrician if it feels like he's behind, but know that each child grows at their own pace.
Warnings
- Do not put your baby on your stomach to sleep, as this increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Always keep an eye on the baby during the time it spends on the tummy.
