Why The Prone Position Is So Important For Babies
The prone position is very important for babies because it allows them to improve their physical condition and acquire the skills they need for more independence. Find out more about this topic today.
The prone position makes your baby stronger
When your child is awake, lay them on their stomach, as this will help them strengthen their muscles in the shoulders, neck, arms and back.
This position gives them the opportunity to gain control over their head movements and gradually learn to lift their head on their own. In time, they will use their arms to prop themselves up and raise their chest. This is how it prepares itself to get on all fours and crawl.
In the prone position, your baby can watch the world go by
When your child is on their back, they have a limited perspective because they only see what is in front of them or above them.
However, if you lay your baby on their tummy and gradually develop their muscles, they will have a lot more options and expand their field of vision.
It will be able to observe everything by turning its head in the desired direction. It can also turn around so that its head is where its feet were before. This enables your little one to perceive other things.
In the prone position, your baby becomes more independent
As long as your child cannot move on their own and hardly lifts their head, they are completely dependent on you.
But when your baby is lying on their tummy, they quickly learn how to get their own toys, for example by stretching out their arms. That is the beginning of his independence.
In the prone position, his gross motor skills are strengthened
Lay your child on their tummy as often as possible to help them develop their gross motor skills. Over time, it will learn to move and strengthen its legs.
When your little one is on their stomach, they will find that they can move by pushing their legs and pulling their arms. Your baby can pull itself forward and learn to crawl. In time, it will also be able to sit down by itself.
The correct prone position
Lay your baby on their stomach several times a day. So that it doesn’t get tired, you can alternately lay it on its side and hold it in your arms.
If your baby is barely able to lift its head, make a schedule to lay your baby on its stomach three times a day. Then leave it in this position for about 10 minutes.
The surface should be hard. The floor is perfect for this, because there is no risk of your child falling to the floor.
Just put a blanket on the floor so your sweetheart doesn’t get cold and let him practice and have fun for a while. Under no circumstances should your child perceive this as a punishment.
If you lay your child on their tummy and don’t pay any attention, they will cry heartbroken. You should therefore have toys and plush animals ready and stimulate your little baby with them.
Also, sit on the floor to motivate your little one and learn to lift their head without any pressure or stress . You can also temporarily lie on your back and make your baby comfortable on your tummy. It is so very close to you and will not protest, but smile at you, even if it still feels unsafe.
Final tips
If your baby starts crying when you lay them on their tummy and desperately wants to be carried, don’t pick them up right away. This may seem cruel to you, but it has to get used to the prone position somehow.
Leave it in this position for at least a minute, then take it in your arms and comfort it. Then try again to get it in the prone position. Soon it won’t cry anymore.
Avoid doing this exercise right before or after breastfeeding to prevent your baby from spitting out the milk they just took.
It is also not recommended to lie on its prone position when it is hungry, because then it will be heartbroken. Exercising in the prone position should be entertaining and fun, because it has many advantages for your child!
