When I meet parents in my workshops and private sessions, I always love to watch from the side and see how they so intuitively provide their babies with the touch they need. Cradling, hugging and holding your baby firmly not only provides a sense of security and peace, but also plays a crucial role in your baby’s physical development by stimulating their proprioceptive system. Today, let’s explore what proprioception is and how you can support this important aspect of your baby’s development.
What is the proprioceptive sense and why is it important for my baby?
Proprioception is the sense that helps babies get to know their body and learn how to use it. It enables them to recognize how their body parts work together to achieve movement and helps them learn the limits of their bodies, and also where it is in relation to their environment. By stimulating this sense daily, we can enhance their movement skills and spatial awareness, which are essential for their overall development.
How can we give this stimulation to the baby?
The sensors of the proprioceptive system are located throughout the body, in the muscles, joints, and tendons, and to activate them we need to give a deep and firm touch that reaches them. A gentle touch, such as a caress, will only remain on the surface of the skin, and won’t reach the proprioceptive sensor.
From the time they are in the womb, babies receive proprioceptive input through contact with the uterine walls. After birth, you can continue this stimulation through activities such as: Holding the baby in a snug cradle position, pressing and tapping on our baby’s body when we play together, and using a Sling. When lying down, the baby presses his or her body against the mattress and receives this stimulation. This is why we will make sure that the baby is lying in all positions, and even better when they are bare skin.
At a later age, we can give this touch if we recognise that the baby is not familiar with a body part or is not using it enough. For example, babies who crawl backwards do so because they do not know how to lean on their forearms and transfer their weight to them, or because they are not used to pushing the floor with their feet. Touching and paying more attention to these areas will help them to perform the crawling better, and to perfect their movement skills. As well as motor progress, this learning can reduce frustration in a baby who is now using their body more effectively.
Toddlers should also be given proprioceptive stimulation from time to time so that they continue to improve their motor skills and enjoy their bodies. Here is an example of a game that can be used from 4 months and up: Roll the baby/ toddler in a yoga mat or thick blanket like a burrito! This is a fun way to give attention (with a little squeeze) to areas that are not always activated during the day.
In conclusion, providing your baby with proprioceptive stimulation strengthens their motor skills, enhances their ability to plan and execute complex movements and improves their spatial awareness. This touch also promotes a calm, relaxed state, making your baby more emotionally available for learning and exploration. As you navigate parenting in a new country, remember that these small, intentional interactions can make a big difference in your baby’s development.
•••
Schreibe einen Kommentar