Comments on: Exercise Affects Baby Brains – And 6 Other Reasons To Let Your Baby Move

By: Soha

Soha — Thu, 13 May 2021 23:28:00 +0000

In reply to Melissa. Yes I have the same question

By: Ana G

Ana G — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 02:27:23 +0000

In reply to Terrence. Pick up your baby and comfort her. She's a newborn. Carrying babies in a sling or similar helps solve this issue. Babies have been worn for as long as humanity has been around and continue to be worn in traditional cultures. Contrary to what some people believe, carrying babies in a sling DOES help strengthen them as they continuously feel the need to shift around in it to compensate and maintain balance as parent moves around. It's a genius way to help develop their vestibular system. Besides so many other benefits to them. Do the research!

By: Hanna

Hanna — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 21:11:56 +0000

In reply to Tina.

My foster baby came to us still suffering withdrawal symptoms pretty badly at six weeks.
He could not be treated with medication.
He had barely any working reflexes or any he had were very jerky and not consistent.
We actually taught him to hold a tiny toy, to roll him on the floor. He was super vigilant, but physical unable to do much.
His Paediatrician asked me when he was six mth old to just leave him lying on the floor as much as possible, we also got a book to follow with more exercises as he was been flagged with cerebral palsy.
Our intense but playful exercising showed results slowly. His brain ‘woke up’ .
With nine month he suddenly stood up, decided to walk holding on to furniture and walked by himself about just before his first birthday.
As soon as he became physically more active he also showed for the first time that he had initiative,
Yes your article is so true.
As foster parents we have to achieve milestones for our children, this is a must and not helpful when you’d like a child to follow his own way… but the paediatric neurologist thought he might have still be laying happily watching the ceiling

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 17:22:30 +0000

Hi Janet,

I’ve been giving my baby freedom of movement, but she is almost 8 months old and hasn’t started crawling or isn’t really able to sit. Should I be worried? Is her gross motor movement delayed? I’m not sure

By: Vicki Burgess

Vicki Burgess — Mon, 07 May 2018 02:02:04 +0000

My newest grandchild is a girl and she was born at 28 gestational weeks. Her prematurity has not slowed her down. She is very mobile and pulls herself up to a standing position. She has become quite adept at moving around and getting down herself. Today I observed her explore the play area which is a library in the home turned into a free space for the babies. There is a 29 month old too. Well our little girl today crawled onto the lower bookshelf where toys are set. I watched as she solved all the problems to get her body onto the shelf and off of it too. She was able to touch the object of her goal. Anything that is her brother’s is her target and she wanted to get to his cement truck, and other construction vehicles he has for play. I enjoyed observing her expression of satisfaction.

By: janet

janet — Wed, 06 May 2015 00:49:57 +0000

In reply to Laura Grace Weldon. Hahahahha! I love the curmudgeon gift, Laura. My kind of curmudgeon!

By: Laura Grace Weldon

Laura Grace Weldon — Tue, 05 May 2015 15:09:42 +0000

I just survived another baby shower where moms of little ones gave the mom-to-be all sorts of containment devices for babies, assuring her “you won’t believe how much you’ll rely on this!” I felt like the curmudgeon in the crowd but these products are so forcefully pushed on new parents that they come to believe they must have all these ways to strap in and contain babies and toddlers. I gave a curmudgeon gift, a sturdy quilt that I assured her was perfect to put out on the grass so the baby could look at wind moving through the trees.

By: Vicki Burgess

Vicki Burgess — Tue, 05 May 2015 06:04:39 +0000

Janet, I am so happy to see this post as I see parents putting their babies in contraptions before they can stand, or sit, and in walkers, thinking walkers help a baby walk. Point to make is our Emily had the opportunity to be in a safe, clean environment where she could be mobile. At age 12 months, she was busy walking around with much energy, while the neighbor’s grandson, Grant, was still trying to pull himself up with the aid of furnishings. His father, a child neuropsychologist believed putting him in a walker. Grant was 13 months and not walking. I asked him if in his studies he had come across Magda Gerber, and he never heard of her. Even before studying ECE, as a mother, I avoided any item until my baby crawled, pulled themselves up on their own and began to walk. This child neuropsychologist told me, “Okay, the next children, no walker!” I am amazed that this information that you posted isn’t out there for even the top, like our neighbor’s son, who definitely cares to do the optimal best for his babies as well as others. Keep posting! I’ll keep sharing.

By: Naim

Naim — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:34:59 +0000

Dear Janet, thank you for the valueable knowledge you share with all of us. my son is going to be 15 month next week. I am fullday working woman. when i am not home he is very good with his caregiver and plays well and eats well. when I get home he becomes super fussy and doesnt leave me for a while, doesnt take much interest with play. only plays when i am arround or sitting in my lap, wants me to carry him all the time. please guide me how to relax him and myself.
regards

By: janet

janet — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 04:15:52 +0000

In reply to Terrence.

Hi Terrence! Congratulations on your daughter! When she complains or cries, respond immediately, but that doesn’t mean you need to scoop her up. TALK to her… Acknowledge, “You sound uncomfortable… what can I do to help?” Try doing less first… like maybe gently massaging her tummy (if you think she might have a gas bubble), etc. In other words, don’t panic or jump to conclusions…be patient… If she continues to complain or escalates, definitely offer (asking first), “Do you want me to pick you up?” Slowing down this whole process will give her more time to settle into this situaion. Just go a LITTLE bit at a time, holding her when she needs to be held. If you really need to do something, it’s okay for her to cry where she is for a minute or two, but I would not leave her for longer than that. This WILL get easier.. just be aware of the times that she is happy on her own…and try not to interrupt. Gradually, she will be “playing” more and more. Enjoy!