Babies and Movement Readiness

John and I let Caleb explore his own environment in his own time. We are a "baby-container-free-ish" house. The way we see it, babies are meant to move or be held! The only "containers" we have for Caleb are his Rock-in-Play for naps and for his first night shift, his carseat (which stays in the car), and his stroller (which we have used a handful of times but will use more when he is bigger). No swings, rockers, play stations, bumbos, playpens, cribs, or other things meant to restrict movement and babysit Caleb. The main reason we don't have these things is for space.  John has helped me learn about infant development and movement readiness through his personal research on functional mobility. Functional mobility is what is sounds like; movement with a function. Walking, running, squatting, lifting, pulling, pushing, and other natural movements we use daily. From what John has researched there is a progression of movement patterns that babies develop. The order of these movements is important because it helps their nervous system structure movement patterns and develop skills that build on top of each other. Babies are experts at functional movement! We can learn a lot from how a baby learns to move. They have the ultimate perfect squat position!

With all this information we have decided that Caleb needs to "earn" the right to move. This can be really hard for other people to understand because they might think we are being mean to our child! Our philosophy is that if his ligaments, muscles, and spinal structure cannot support himself in a particular position then he is not ready to be in that position. That means no bumbos, johnny jump-ups, play saucer walker things, or propping him up with pillows to sit him up unless he can get into a sitting position or a standing position on his own without assistance. Muscle imbalances occur with repetitive incorrect movement patterns. We want Caleb to learn how to move the right way by not giving him the option of developing muscle imbalances. I read a blog post before Caleb was born from Mama OT called "Beware the Bumbo Seat" and this has helped influence my decisions not to register for any of those things that claim they will help your child "develop".

We want Caleb to learn to walk the right way by using his own body awareness and again "earning" the right to do so. We aren't going to "help him walk" or put him into a standing position before he can hold his own weight up without our assistance. A lot of moms might think I am crazy, but this is our choice! It is not "good for their muscles" as your mom or grandmother might tell you. In their defense, our parents didn't know any better and made the best decisions they could with the information that was available to them at the time!

Motivation is what keeps these movement patterns progressing. All that kicking you see babies do, crawling, and trying to reach things is what builds their muscles up for walking readiness. I can already see Caleb reaching for toys that are just out of his reach and becoming frustrated that he cannot access them. The motivation to reach that toy will drive his gross motor development to figure out a way for his body to get over to it. We let Caleb get "frustrated" to a point that we believe he can handle and we give him breaks so he doesn't lose motivation. He is pretty close to rolling over or squirming over to his favorite cow toy. We are patient with him and affirm his efforts by saying "I can see how much you want that toy, you are doing such a good job trying to figure out how to get it! Go buddy! You are so close!".

After 10 minutes of trying to get his rings Caleb figured out a combo of pulling the towel and squirming forward. Then he spit up. Bummer ;-)

I see so many moms  judge, criticize, and put down other moms and families for their choices and decisions. Judgement is not in short supply when you approach another person with the intent of  proving that you are "better" than someone else. Often times we put down someone else or deliver judgement to feel better about insecurities we are struggling with and to give ourselves the satisfaction of feeling "right". My intent with sharing this information is to help other parents consider why they are doing something (like putting their child in a bumbo) so that they can consider another option. If I see a mom using these items I will not jump on her and recite this post word for word. That mom is doing all that she can with the information that she has to raise her child! I do not judge other moms and think that I have it all figured out. In fact, I need the help of other moms to raise this little boy!

Other Articles that are useful:

The pitfalls of some modern day baby equipment 

Therapists see no developmental benefits from Bumbos

Baby containers: Are we living in a culture of overuse? - See more at: http://blog.uindy.edu/blog/health-sciences/baby-containers-are-we-living-in-a-culture-of-overuse#sthash.9VNNgCQ1.dpuf

Baby Containers: Are we living in a culture of overuse? 

Our little love is such a joy!

 

Baby containers: Are we living in a culture of overuse? - See more at: http://blog.uindy.edu/blog/health-sciences/baby-containers-are-we-living-in-a-culture-of-overuse#sthash.9VNNgCQ1.dpuf

Baby containers: Are we living in a culture of overuse? - See more at: http://blog.uindy.edu/blog/health-sciences/baby-containers-are-we-living-in-a-culture-of-overuse#sthash.9VNNgCQ1.dpuf

Baby containers: Are we living in a culture of overuse? - See more at: http://blog.uindy.edu/blog/health-sciences/baby-containers-are-we-living-in-a-culture-of-overuse#sthash.9VNNgCQ1.dpuf