Milestone Tips and Tricks

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 Your little one is on the move... exciting times

Here are some useful tips to encourage your baby to roll:

• Tummy Time is Key: Strengthens neck and back muscles crucial for rolling.  Place your baby on their tummy, on your chest, over your lap (variety is key) for short periods throughout the day, with interesting toys just out of reach to motivate them to reach and lift their heads.
   
• Playtime with a Purpose:  While your baby is on their back, place a favorite toy just out of reach to one side. This will entice them to turn their head and body towards it, which is a precursor to rolling.
   
• Leg nudges:  When your baby is on their back, gently guide one leg across their body towards the toy they're interested in. This can help them initiate the rolling motion.
   
• Side lying counts: 
• This helps build strength to push off and eventually roll over.
   
• Rocking side to side: Rock your baby's hips back and forth while they're on their back. This helps them  understand weight shifting, a key component of rolling.
   
• Praise and encouragement: When your baby makes any progress towards rolling, celebrate their efforts! A big smile, claps, or silly noises will keep them motivated.
   
• Be patient: Every baby develops at their own pace. Rolling typically happens between 4-6 months, so don't worry if yours takes a little longer.

An exciting milestone to reach as once sitting balance is achieved weaning can begin... 

Here are some useful tips to help your baby develop the strength and coordination needed to sit up:

• Tummy Time Superstar: Tummy time is crucial, for strengthening the neck, back, and core muscles that are essential for sitting.

• Supported Sitting: Once your baby can hold their head steady (around 4 months), practice sitting with support. Sit on the floor with your baby facing you, legs cradled between yours. This provides a safe and comfortable environment to experience an upright position.

• Supported sitting: Prop your baby up on a firm surface like a play mat with pillows or cushions around them for support. Place engaging toys just out of reach to encourage them to reach and lean forward, strengthening their core

• Place a favorite toy just out of reach in front of your baby while they're on their back. This motivates them to reach and prop themselves up on their hands, building the muscles needed for sitting.

• Safety First: Always supervise your baby during playtime, especially when practicing sitting. Use pillows or blankets for support to prevent falls.

• Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. Most babies can sit with some support by around 6 months and independently by 8-9 months. 

Now they are really on the move....time to think about door and cupboard locks

Here are some useful tips to help your baby crawl:

• Tummy time is the foundation: This builds the core strength babies need to lift themselves up and propel themselves forward. Aim for plenty of supervised tummy time throughout the day, right from birth whatever position that may be in.

• Motivate with Toys. Play with a purpose: Place enticing toys just out of reach during tummy time. This encourages reaching, rocking, and pushing up on their arms, all precursors to crawling.

• Mirror on the Floor: Place a safe, unbreakable mirror on the floor in front of your baby. Their fascination with their reflection can motivate them to scoot closer, promoting crawling motions.

• Rolling practice: Encourage rolling from belly to back and back to belly. Rolling helps develop coordination and core strength needed for crawling.

• Crawling Position Play: Briefly place your baby in a crawling position (on all fours) with your hands supporting some of their weight or on top of a cushion. This allows them to get comfortable with the movement.

• Tunnels:  Tunnels are a fun way to encourage crawling.  

• Every Crawler Crawls Differently:  There is no single "right" way to crawl. Some babies commando crawl, some army crawl, and some even scoot on their bottoms. As long as they're getting from point A to B, celebrate their efforts. 

 Most babies crawl between 6 and 10 months, but every baby develops at their own pace.

 First steps time... the big milestone all parents are eager to see...

Here are some useful tips to encourage your little one on their walking journey:

• Let those toes wiggle: Allowing your baby to explore barefoot whenever possible. This allows them to feel the floor better and strengthen the muscles in their feet and ankles, which are crucial for balance and walking.

• Cruising Champs: Utilise your furniture. Arrange couches, chairs, or a baby activity center to create a safe "cruising track" for your baby to hold onto and practice taking steps along.

• Toys: Place a favorite toy just out of reach to entice your baby to take those first steps. You can also hold the toy and slowly walk backwards, encouraging them to follow along.

• Push toys:  Push toys can be a great motivator.  These toys provide both stability and a fun goal for your baby to reach, encouraging them to walk and explore.

• Walking support: When your baby starts taking wobbly steps, offer a safe hand to hold onto for balance. Holding round their waist is a good place to start this provide good stability and arms free for exploring. 

• Safe and sound surfaces:  Make sure your walking area has a grippy surface to prevent slips and falls. Avoid thick carpets or rugs that can be tricky to navigate.

• Every baby walks at their own pace:  Most babies take their first steps between 9 and 18 months.