Bright Futures in Practice: Physical Activity

INFANCY

Frequently Asked Questions About Physical Activity in Infancy

How can I encourage my baby to be physically active?

Babies need physical activity from the time they are born. Provide your baby with opportunities that encourage her to move. Offer her a challenge (for example, a toy just out of reach) and see how she reacts. She will let you know if you push her too much. When babies move, their arms and legs often look jerky and uncoordinated. Remember, your baby is learning a lot of new skills in her first year. When a baby's brain and muscles learn how to work together, her movements will get smoother.

What's the best way to carry my baby?

Carry your baby in a way that makes him feel secure and comfortable. Try to vary the position. For example, instead of always carrying your baby so that he faces backward, carry him so that he faces forward, to give him the opportunity to look in the direction you are going.

Should I use a walker to help my baby learn to walk?

Babies should never be placed in an infant walker (baby walker) because of the considerable risk of injury and even death. The risk of injury from the use of walkers is even greater in homes with stairs. Make sure your child care provider does not use walkers.

My baby's head flops over to the side when she is upright. Should I support her head?

Yes, offer light but firm support. Try to offer less support each time, so that eventually she will be able control her head herself.

My friend's baby, who is the same age as mine, is sitting on his own, but my baby can't do this yet. Should I be worried?

Babies develop at different rates. As long as your baby attains motor skills at an appropriate age, there is nothing to worry about.

What can I expect my baby to do as he grows?

Newborn to 1 Month
Your baby will have rooting, sucking, and swallowing reflexes. He will begin to develop the ability to start and stop sucking. He will wake up and fall asleep easily.

3 to 4 Months
Your baby will raise her head when she is on her stomach. She will follow objects and sounds with her eyes. She will put her hand in her mouth a lot. She will sit with support.

6 Months
Your baby's torso will move in the direction of his head when he turns his head while lying on his back. He will reach for objects and pick them up with one hand. He will hold his hands together. He will sit with support.

7 to 9 Months
Your baby will reach for pieces of food and pick them up between her thumb and forefinger.

9 to 12 Months
Your baby will play games such as peek-a-boo. He will explore toys with his eyes and mouth, and will transfer a toy from one hand to the other. He will sit and crawl, and may walk without support.

Resources for Families

See Tool F: Physical Activity Resources for contact information on national organizations that can provide information on physical activity. State and local departments of public health and education and local libraries are additional sources of information.

Bressler KW, Parker D. 2000. Yoga Baby: Exercises to Help You Bond with Your Baby Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually. New York, NY: Broadway Books.

Clements RL, Lee M. 1998. Parent's Guide to Physical Play. New York, NY: American Association for the Child's Right to Play.

Cooper KH. 1999. Fit Kids! The Complete Shape-Up Program for Birth Through High School. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

Eliot L. 1999. What's Going On in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

Fox S. 1999. Baby Steps: Exercises for Baby's First Year of Life. New York, NY: Berkley Publishing Group.

Meltzoff AN, Gopnik AM, Kuhl PK. 1999. The Scientist in the Crib: Minds, Brains and How Children Learn. New York, NY: Morrow/Avon.

Segal M. 1998. Your Child at Play: Birth to One Year. New York, NY: New Market Press.

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