Rocking a baby on a fitball makes it possible to physically develop children from an early age; the ball is also successfully used for exercise for other family members. Pediatricians recommend using a rubber apparatus for motion sickness and gymnastics from the first months of life.
A child falls asleep on a fitball
The main objectives of training on a rubber ball at 1-2 months are to improve the functions of the digestive system and prevent colic. For children under one year old, the projectile is useful for developing the vestibular apparatus, improving orientation in space, and treating hypertension. Sports equipment reduces the symptoms of colic and strengthens the back muscles, improving the quality of sleep.
Rocking in your arms: pros and cons
How to make a child poop for analysis
There is no consensus regarding motion sickness; the procedure has many advantages and disadvantages.
Arguments in favor of motion sickness:
- A simple, affordable solution to calm your child.
- Natural need of children under 1 year. Kids feel protected and loved. The proximity of the body, the smell, the heartbeat, and the mother’s face form a trusting attitude towards the world, the baby develops well.
- Synchronization of brain biorhythms with the work of internal organs. Rocking affects the semicircular canals in the brain and causes drowsiness. The sleep is sound and healthy.
- Training the vestibular apparatus is the key to successful intellectual development.
- Normalization of intracranial pressure.
Sleeping also calms the mother. Yoga often uses special swaying exercises that provide a relaxing effect.
Child falls asleep in arms
Among the disadvantages of motion sickness, it is worth highlighting the habit of falling asleep during a certain ritual and the likelihood of harming the child during intense movements. The procedure is also dangerous for the health of the parents. The habit of rocking can lead to back and arm pain.
Devices for motion sickness
Why does a 3 month old baby become capricious and constantly cry?
As soon as a child is born, he has to get used to living conditions that differ from his previous habitat. However, there are little things that remind a newborn of being in the womb. Rocking in your arms is similar to being rocked in your mother's belly in time with your steps. To help a child get used to the environment more quickly, many rocking devices have been developed.
Rocking chair
Rocking chairs for children 3 months of age exclude the “lying down” position. Unlike chaise lounges, the designs have additional levels of backrest tilt (3-5 options) and curved legs. The chairs sway without outside help when the baby moves. Many modifications are equipped with an automatic swinging function and are powered by an electrical outlet or battery. The presence of vibrating mechanisms and swing speeds allows you to set the optimal mode.
Cradle
Many parents associate the name cradle with a chaise longue; cradles are intended for children from birth. The main function of the devices is to rock babies. The designs are usually supplemented with a control panel, night light, and music box.
Fitball
A ball for rocking a baby has many advantages over analogues: the mother regulates the rhythm and strength of rocking according to the situation, reduces the load on the arms and back, and the baby quickly calms down.
How to rock a baby on a fitball
Rough skin on a child’s arms, legs, body - possible causes
The first motion sickness is carried out 2 weeks after birth. The optimal time for procedures is 1 hour after feeding. The first lesson should be short. First, an adult must get used to the fitball. Before rocking the child on the fitball, the mother should sit on a chair or sofa and place the ball in front of her. Cover the surface with a diaper and carefully place the baby on his stomach in the center of the fitball. It is not necessary to undress the baby, but the dressed baby is less stable on the ball.
Fitball as a means to calm a baby
The most comfortable options for rocking a baby on a fitball:
- The mother sits on the ball, takes the child in her arms, and slowly jumps, pumping up the muscles of her buttocks and legs.
- The child lies on the ball with his stomach or back down, the adult puts his hand on the back, holding the baby and rocking the fitball back and forth, right and left, then in a circle.
- Springy down/up exercises (short, jerky pressure with the palm of your hand on the baby’s bottom and back) will also appeal to the baby.
- "Watch." The baby lies on the ball with his back. The mother holds her breast with both hands, rocking the newborn on the ball in a circular motion (clockwise and counterclockwise) to the right/left.
Before rocking a child to sleep on a fitball, you should remember an important rule: holding or pulling children by the hands or feet is prohibited. The ankle and wrist joints are not ready to work with the weight of the baby - there is a high probability of injury.
Exercises for fitball
When a child is restless, a fitball can be used for rocking, or you can put the child on the ball and swing it left and right, or you can sit on a fitball with him in your arms and jump (you can also pump up your leg muscles and gluteal muscles - for this you need to jump cyclically until counting “3” and do at least 30 approaches in one session).
Before mastering gymnastics on a ball for babies, you need to teach your baby to simply hold on to it, familiarize him with the product so that further exercises are not intimidating.
Holding on the ball
The basic way to hold a baby is to lay him on his stomach, holding him with both hands so that four fingers are on the chest, and only the thumbs are on the back. In fact, the child’s body will lie in the parent’s arms, then he will not be able to suddenly fall.
The second option is to also place the baby on his stomach, but place one palm on his back (thereby pressing him to the surface of the ball), and holding his leg with the other. This position will also allow you to control all the child’s movements.
It is recommended to master holding on your stomach. This is a slightly more complex exercise, primarily for the baby himself. They lay him on his back, pressing his chest with one palm, and his legs near his feet with the other. And in this position the ball needs to be slightly swung to the sides. This exercise allows you to relax your back muscles.
"Spring"
For this exercise, the baby is placed on his stomach. With one hand, hold the legs closer to the feet, and in such a way that the thumb covers one leg, and the little finger, ring and middle fingers cover the other, and the index finger is between them. With the second hand, with your palm outstretched, gently press on the lumbar area - the baby will spring back. You can do the same thing by placing the baby on his back.
"Fishing"
First you need to take your favorite toys and place them in front of the ball. Then the baby is laid on his stomach on a fitball and, holding his legs in a well-known way, is tilted down, helping to lift toys from the floor. This exercise perfectly develops coordination. Later, when the baby knows the names of the toys, you can diversify the game by giving a specific task: “Take the fish!”, “Catch the cube!”.
"Wheelbarrow"
This exercise can be done from 4 months, when the arms are already strong enough. The baby is laid on his stomach, helped to place his hands on the ball and lifted by his legs, spreading them in different directions - the body position should resemble a garden wheelbarrow. Thanks to this exercise, your baby will train his hands even better.
"Tumbler"
Another name for this exercise is “Rider”. You can do it from 6 months or, if this happens earlier, from the moment the baby can sit up on his own. The child is placed on the ball with his tummy up, then, holding him by the shoulders, he gently helps him sit down and holds him in this position for 8-10 seconds. Sitting in this position, the child trains not only the abdominal muscles, but also balance.
As you can see, exercises on a fitball for infants are not at all difficult. But they are very useful and exciting. In order for a baby to grow healthy and physically strong, it is necessary to help his body work. Instill a love for sports from childhood - it will definitely come in handy in the future.
Is it convenient for mom to use a rocking ball?
Exercising on a rubber ball is not at all difficult; the procedure takes a minimum of time. Fitball “loves” comfortable, non-restrictive clothing made from natural fabrics, a well-ventilated room and a safe space. Objects that could injure mother or baby should be removed.
Attention! If you don’t have confidence in your own dexterity or experience in using a fitball, it’s better to ask your loved ones to back up the mother and child for the first time.
For the first lesson, do not inflate the rubber ball too tightly. For beginners, it is more convenient, easier and safer to rock a baby to sleep on a slightly deflated ball.
Gymnastics on the ball
Why is gymnastics necessary?
In the first year of life, the baby actively grows, develops rapidly, he gets to know his body, learns to control it, begins to crawl and walk. A set of special exercises with a baby, performed daily, helps relieve the child from overstrain in the muscles and strengthens them. Physical activity promotes harmonious mental and mental development, because everything in the human body is interconnected. In addition, during gymnastics classes with a newborn, the following happens:
- prolonged tactile contact with the mother occurs, the baby calms down and relaxes;
- immunity is strengthened;
- intestinal colic, which is painful for the baby, disappears;
- the baby learns to control his own body;
- metabolic processes in the body are activated;
- blood microcirculation improves;
- mobility, coordination of actions, and speed of adaptation to the regime increase.
After classes, the child falls asleep faster, sleep becomes calmer, deeper, and longer. A set of physical exercises on a fitball for infants is selected taking into account the age and physical condition of the baby. Activities are especially necessary for babies who have suffered trauma during childbirth or were born with various pathologies.
Training sessions with parents are conducted by a pediatrician or a physical therapy specialist, then family members independently carry them out with the child. Gymnastics on a fitball is gentle, without serious loads, and it affects all muscle groups. It is well tolerated even by weakened children.
To increase effectiveness, such exercises can be combined with a light massage for newborns.
Fitball exercises can strengthen your baby's muscles
Training sessions must take place in the presence of a specialist
After classes, the baby becomes calmer
The benefits of rocking a baby
Measured swinging on the ball is an effective solution to the problem of children's fatigue and blues. Exercises for babies are useful because they can strengthen and develop muscles, solve the problem of colic, and develop the vestibular apparatus.
Movements on a rubber ball have a beneficial effect on the mother’s spine; exercise on a fitball will replace a visit to the fitness club. If the mother rocks the baby during lactation, it is convenient to place the ball under the swollen legs, enjoying the pleasant outflow of blood from the feet.
Healthy blood circulation and relief after tiring everyday life with a fitball are fully realized.
How to choose a ball?
In order to conduct fitball exercises with your baby, you need to stock up on a reliable ball. It should be strong, have no visible seams, and the valve should be concave inward. You can buy a regular round fitball, but you can also buy a product with horns. They are of no use to the baby, but the mother can also use the ball to get in shape after pregnancy.
It is also worth paying attention to the maximum weight - manufacturers indicate it on the packaging. It is better to choose a ball designed for a load of up to 150 kg, even if mother and baby together weigh no more than 60 kg - it will be more reliable.
If you have the financial opportunity, you should pay attention to balls with the ABS-Anti-Burst System - they are more reliable. The diameter of the product should be 65-75 cm.
This is not that expensive, but a very useful purchase. In sports stores you can find balls starting from 750 rubles. And if you deal with this issue in advance and monitor prices, then you can buy them at a promotion for an even more reasonable price.
