When babies are first born, they are essentially helpless. In fact, it can be disconcerting for many new parents to discover just how fragile those little ones are. But it seems like overnight, they begin to develop muscles they didn’t have at birth. And before you know it, they are lifting up on their own, rolling over, and threatening to crawl.
You baby isn’t an infant anymore, and he or she is bulking up before your very eyes. What does that baby strength development mean for this next stage of parenting though?
Safety First
You’ve probably already realized that the more mobile a baby is, the more prone to accidents they become. Most parents have at least one scare of baby rolling off the bed or couch, and attempts at sitting up often result in at least a few crashes.
Try to go easy on yourself when these mishaps occur; sometimes they truly are unavoidable. But work on being more aware of your baby’s mobility, and start thinking about baby-proofing. Gone are the days when you could set him or her on a blanket while you ran to take a quick shower or make a quick meal. Now, you need to keep your baby in your line of sight as often as possible—you never know what they might do next!
Encouraging Development
Your baby is getting stronger by the day, with or without your help. But providing opportunities for that baby strength development can help them to gain more control sooner. Assist your baby with standing in order to develop those leg muscles, and encourage sitting with lots of clapping and excitement. Play with your little one during tummy time in order to keep him or her from rolling over and giving up, and use toys as incentive for reaching and grasping.
What to Expect
If you thought the last few months went by quickly, wait until you blink. Over the next 6 to 12 months, your baby is going to begin crawling, pulling him or herself up (usually with the assistance of various furniture pieces), standing unassisted, and eventually… walking. The more babies discover about the world around them, the more they want to know, and the more motivated they are to get moving. Gone is your helpless little one; in his or her place is a tiny baby hulk, just looking for a way to propel forward.
Get ready! The fun has just begun!
Written by Leah Campbell, infertility advocate, adoptive mama, writer and editor. Find me @sifinalaska on Twitter.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general informational basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.