GM.A.5 ON TUMMY, LIFTS HEAD TO 90°, WEIGHT ON FOREARMS

This skill combines the skills that the baby has been practising up until now and it will become a useful play position for the child.

How to Assess

Method: Place the child on her tummy on a firm surface. Score plus if your child raises her head to 90° and maintains for 5 seconds.

How to Teach

Place a bright and interesting toy in front of the child so that she will see it easily, then raise it slightly off the floor to a position that requires her to lift her head higher and in doing so push on her forearms. Hold the toy in that position for a few seconds if she is watching it. If she stops looking at the toy when it gets higher, lower it slightly until she again can see it, then try to raise it again. Obviously it has to be a specially interesting toy to make her work so hard to keep it in sight. You may also practise this with her lying on her tummy on the table with your face level with her face. Don’t expect her to reach 90° straight off – initially it will be 65°, then 70°, then 90°, but consistent practice will strengthen the back and neck muscles sufficiently to allow her to raise her head to 90°.

If you have a large beach or exercise ball, you can lay your baby on her tummy and support her at her hips, or if necessary her trunk, to help teach this skill. As you push the ball forward, she will tend to lift her head back. To add some incentive do this in front of a mirror, so she can see herself as she comes forward, or have a marvellous toy on a support in front of her, for her to look at. Maybe a brother or sister would enjoy helping with this exercise?

Positioning, Carrying and Playing

Your baby will be awake for more of the day now, so can be placed on her tummy on the floor for extended playtimes. Make sure you have a variety of toys around for her. Some babies resist being on their tummies. If this happens, try placing her back over the wedge, or rolled up bunny rug, as this makes the position easier for her. Each time you put her down, increase the length of time a little. Place her down at least three times a day on her tummy.

This skills can be practised in bed, lying on Dad’chest. Support her around her upper arms and talk to her while she is feeling weight through her forearms. You could also place her over your lap on the couch, encouraging her to look up to your voice. To extend this skill, encourage your baby to turn her head to look at you or follow a moving object when she is supporting her head at 90°. It is important to practise this to both sides. If she turns more freely to one side than the other, position her so that she must turn to the weaker side to see what is going on.

It is important that you get used to ‘rough and tumble’ play with your baby from this early age. Within reason, older children should not be discouraged from helping with her, and you should gently start introducing ‘fun movement’, for examples, swinging in your arms, raspberries on her tummy, tickling her feet. If your baby can manage, she need no longer be firmly wrapped to be carried; however this does require more effort on her part. Continue to carry with no support to her head, either over your shoulder or sitting in the crook of your arm. Make sure you hold her legs together when you carry her in this position. Support her as low on her chest as she can manage. Try carrying your baby lying along your forearm, face down. Her head can rest on your hand or, if you face her in the other direction, in the crook of your arm. Once she is adept at lifting her head, you can support her with your hand under her chest.

You could begin to expect your baby to take some weight through her forearm and shoulder when you put her down. (This will apply only when your baby is no longer firmly wrapped.) Once again, turn her on her side, supporting her around her chest and her hips. Lower her towards the surface, so positioned that her lower forearm will touch the surface first. Lean her on this arm for a few seconds, supporting her shoulder if necessary. Now rest her down onto her side, and then if you wish, turn her on her tummy. If you do this every time you put her down, you will be preparing her neck and shoulder girdle muscles for her future skills. Remember to alternate sides.