"Why can't my baby lie on his stomach, huh?". If this question pops up in your mind, don't worry, first. To be able to lie down, every baby takes a different amount of time. However, this can be accelerated by training it from the start.
Babies generally take about 5-6 months to be able to roll from a supine position to a prone position. Before that, try to pay attention to whether your little one starts to shift his body frequently or move his arms and legs. This is a sign that your little one is ready to roll over and on his stomach.
Causes of Slow Stomach Babies and How to Train It
There are several conditions that can cause a baby to slow down on his stomach. One of them is premature birth. Premature babies usually take longer to develop movement skills than normal babies.
In addition, there are several disorders that can cause the baby's ability to move to be disturbed, including:
- Cerebral palsy
- Myopathy, or muscle disorders
- Failed to grow
- Abnormalities in the sense of sight
- Spina bifida
This disorder occurs due to genetic factors and usually occurs since the baby is born. So, as long as your little one is still cheerful, actively moving his legs and arms, especially if he is under 5 months old, you don't have to worry. Maybe this is not the time for him to lie down.
To train your little one to get on his stomach quickly, you can do the following ways:
Hold the baby for a few minutes
Since the little one was born, Mother has been able to, you know, train him on his stomach several times a day. It is also often referred to as tummy time. However, you should always keep an eye on him, especially when your little one is still unable to lift his head on his own. Leaving a baby unattended while on his stomach can increase the risk of this sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
When first put on the stomach, the baby may feel uncomfortable in this position. So that your little one is comfortable, you can start to train him on his stomach on your chest first before lying down on the bed or floor. Don't forget to invite your little one to talk or play so he feels comfortable.
Help baby roll to prone position
If at any time your little one looks like he wants to turn around but has difficulty, help him by slowly pushing his body into a prone position.
Train baby on stomach with toys
Your little one can also be fussy and show displeasure when you train him to lie on his stomach. Don't be confused, you can put toys in front of your little one to distract him.
In addition, placing toys in front of your little one while on his stomach can make him lift his head and support his body using his arms. This position can train the neck and arm muscles and make them stronger to be able to lie down on their own.
Another important thing that you must remember is that you don't carry your little one too often or put him in his arms bouncer nor stroller. It is feared that this will limit his opportunities to move and train his muscle strength.
Causes of slow prone babies are usually not serious. As long as your little one is healthy and active, you don't have to worry. Try to do the ways above so that he quickly prone. However, if your little one is 5 months old and still can't lie on his stomach despite frequent training, you should consult your little one's condition to the doctor.