If your baby is starting to move onto hands and knees and rock they might be getting ready to crawl! Overcoming obstacles in their path can greatly facilitate their progress, and here’s a nifty trick you can try…
It might sound a bit unconventional, but trust me, it works like magic for those little ones who are teetering on the brink of crawling, perhaps rocking on all fours or attempting a few tentative creeping steps before pausing.
Crawling on hands and knees demands considerable strength and coordination from major muscle groups. Often, babies’ eagerness to explore outpaces their physical readiness, leading to variations like army crawling. This hack, in my experience, is particularly beneficial for those babies on the verge of mastering the crawl. It provides the necessary feedback for coordinating opposite hand and leg movements, aligning their desire to move with their body’s capabilities.
Now, the key here is to use a fabric that covers from armpits to hips, ensuring even pressure distribution. Scarves tend to work wonders in this regard!
Here’s the technique: gently lift the scarf upwards, relieving some of their weight. This slight unweighting makes it easier for them to shift their weight.
As they lift one arm, slightly shift your support away from that arm. This subtle adjustment helps them complete the weight shift and advance the arm.
Repeat the process on the opposite side!
Remember, this should be enjoyable! If they’re not keen on the assistance, respect their preferences. Some babies embrace the boost, while others prefer to navigate independently. Both approaches are perfectly acceptable.
