Exercise program for babies
| Exercises | Visual presentation | Description | Time period | Advantage | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tummy time |  Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash |
| -After birth - 6/8 months of age. -10-15 minutes per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Helps in developing neck control. -Brings spine stability. -Relieves colic pain. | -Check baby's breathing constantly -And never leave the baby alone in prone position. -Don't do this exercise immediately after feeding. |
| Bridging exercise |  Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels | -Baby in supine position. -You have to lift the hips of the baby just like in the picture. | -Birth - 8 months. -10-15 repetitions per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Brings strength in muscles of back, hips and abdominal. | -Don't do this exercise immediately after feeding. |
| Abdominal co-activation |  Photo by nappy from Pexels | -Baby in supine lying. -Pull the baby in sitting position by holding the hands of the baby just like in the picture. | -3 months - 8 months. -5-6 times a day. | -Makes the abdominals strong. -It helps in maintaining the sitting posture in baby. | -Don't over do it. -As baby has weak joints so carefully hold the hands of the baby. |
| Supported sitting exercise |  Photo by nappy from Pexels | -Place the baby in sitting position. -Use pillows or your lap for baby's support. | -5 months - 7 months ( until baby starts independent sitting). -15 - 20 minutes per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Helps in sitting. | -Carefully observe the baby. -Never leave the baby alone in this position if baby has not developed the sitting control. |
| Cycling exercise |  Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels | -Baby in supine position. -Move the baby's legs in alternating manner just like cycling which is show in the picture. | -Birth - 8 months -20-30 times per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Improve blood circulation in legs. -Strengthen the legs muscles. -Relieves colic pain. | -Slowly perform this exercise. -Don't over do this. |
| Rolling exercise |  Photo by Ignacio Campo on Unsplash | -Baby in supine position. -Fold the legs of the baby towards his/her stomach. -Now turn the folded legs to one side of the body. -Assist your baby in turning the trunk to the same side. -Rotate the neck to same side. -Now baby is in side lying position. | -2 months - 8 months -4-5 times per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Strengthen the muscles of back, legs and upper body. | -If baby is too small then look to neck to avoid twisting. |
| Reaching exercise |  Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels | -Baby in crawling/prone position. -Place some bright toys in front (or on the sides) of the baby. | -1 month - 12 months. -15-20 minutes per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Brings eye hand and head co-ordination. -Helps baby to begin crawling. | -If baby is too young kindly check their breathing. -All the toys must be clean as baby puts every thing in mouth. |
| Focusing exercise |  Photo by Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels | -Baby in supine position. -Hang some bright toys above the chest of baby. -You can use playing mat. | -Newborn - 8 months. -15-20 minutes per session. -4-5 times a day. | -Helps in focusing the eyes. -Mental development as baby wants to explore the environment. | -Don't hang any heavy, sharp or dangerous thing above your baby. |
| Static standing exercise |  Photo by Keira Burton from Pexels | -Stand the baby with the support of a standing stand, bed, sofa or chair. | -7 - 12 months -5-10 minutes per session -4-5 times a day | -Bring coordination in babies. | -Never leave your baby alone if he/she is under 10 months of age. |
| Climbing exercise |  Photo by Ksenia Chernaya from Pexels | -Stand the baby with the support of a sofa or bed. -Slightly push the babies hips to help him in climbing the bed or sofa. | -7 months - 12 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -Brings strength in legs and trunk of the baby. -Bring coordination in babies. | -Never let your baby to climb tables or any sharp surfaces. |
| Supported walking exercise |  Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash | -Hold your baby from hands, chest (preferably) or abdomen and help him/her in taking steps. -Gradually your baby starts walking with the help of furniture. | -8 months - 12 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -Helps in developing control to start walking. | -Carefully observe the baby legs and feet to avoid twisting. -Never pull your baby from wrist or shoulder as baby has weak joints. |
| Balancing exercise |  Photo by Lena Helfinger from Pexels | -Stand the baby with support provided by both hand. -Then gradually free one of your baby's hand and provide support only from one hand. -Then spread your baby's arm to make him stand independently. | -10 - 12 months -5-10 minutes per session -4-5 times a day | -Helps in developing control to start walking. | -Carefully observe the baby legs and feet to avoid twisting. -Never pull your baby from wrist or shoulder as baby has weak joints. |
| Hand to hand coordination exercise |  Photo by Lena Helfinger from Pexels | -Place some blocks in front of your baby. -Ask the baby to place one block on another block. -Or to put the blocks in a jar. | -4 months - 24 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -It develops coordination in hands. | -Never use small or sharp blocks for young babies. |
| Fine motor exercises |  Photo by cottonbro from Pexels | -Give your baby some crayon colors and a paper. -Allow him to draw something on it. | -12 months - 3 years -5-10 minutes per session -4-5 times a day | -It develops fine motor skills in babies like writing, eating etc. | -Never use small or sharp pointed colors for young babies. |
| Different sounds practice |  Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash | -Produce different sounds in front of your baby and associate a fix gesture with it. -Example with phone ring put your hands on ear and say hello. | -4 months - 24 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -It helps baby in communication and how to react in different situations. | -Never use too sharp, loud or dull sound. |
| Face mimicking exercise |  Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels | -Sit in front of your baby. -Make some face expressions or produce sounds which makes your baby laugh. -Then he/she will start coping you. | -4 months - 24 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -It helps baby in communication and how to react in different situations. | -Don't over do it. |
| Speech exercises |  Photo by Edward Eyer from Pexels | -Sit in front of your baby. -You can use a red lipstick to bring your baby's attention. -Produce some sound like MAMA BABA DADA -Then he/she will start coping you. | -4 months - 24 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -It helps baby in communication. | -Don't make complex sounds. |
| Mental development exercise |  Photo by Gabby K from Pexels | -Play peek a boo, hide & seek, jumping, football, putting all the balls in the jar, sit and and other creative games with your baby. | -4 months - 24 months -5-10 times per session -4-5 times a day | -These games or exercises have multiple positive effects on muscular system, joints, brain, breathing, circulation and digestion. | -Don't over do it. |