In the first year of life the child makes a huge leap in development, and the ability to keep your head - one of the first skills of possession of his bodym. When a normal child should keep the head and why is it so important?
A clear answer to the question "when?" no one can, because each child is different and each child can have their own peculiarities. But the average figures, the deadline for when a child should start to hold the head - about 3 months. Sometimes it happens sooner, but if the three-month baby does not attempt to keep the head in an upright position or lying on your stomach, you should consult a pediatric neurologist. So, how to help the crumbs to master this skill, and what difficulties may arise?
The first attempts to gradually lift the baby's head does in 1-1,5 months, lying on his tummy, but closer to 2 months can try to hold it, and while you're holding. It is important to know that even if you have little pipsqueak masters this skill, it would still need help, as the head is required to be maintained up to 4 months, until the neck muscles finally strengthened.
How to teach a child to hold the head?
Once completely healed navel, lay your baby on his tummy, that's fine and is training the neck muscles is the prevention of intestinal colic.
But not all the kids are happy to lie on the tummy, many of them desperate protest, cry and capricious, so parents, trying to please the crumbs, spread on a tummy rare. This is the main mistake because of which the crumb can begin to hold the head later.
If the crumbs do not like to lie on the tummy, try to teach him to do so gradually, first place for a few minutes, then increase the time. He poprotestuet bit and get used to, but you will not face this problem as hypotension muscles and stunted physical development.
If the child keeps the head too early?
Many parents are happy when their toddler is still in the hospital starts to hold his head, but in vain, as this may be a sign of a serious breach. If your baby is a month confidently holds his head, then do not delay a visit to a neurologist, as this may indicate from increased intracranial pressure or neck muscle tone and requires a certain therapy.
Toddler up 3-4 months still can not hold his head without the help of my mother, so be sure to keep the head crumbs, otherwise you can damage the delicate cervical vertebrae, resulting in serious health problems and development child.
The reasons why the child is not holding his head
If the three-month baby is not trying to keep your head, you should immediately consult a pediatric neurologist. Among the reasons that might be a problem is isolated:
- premature birth.In case of premature birth, do not worry, as "Swifty" slightly lagging behind their peers, but in just a a month or two, they also will master this skill, and one and a half years, and nothing at all will not be different from children born term.
- weak muscle tone.This problem is quite common, but very quickly adjusted thanks to a special massage. The only responsible approach to the choice of children's masseur.
- a difficult birth or birth trauma. The neurologist will help determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Sometimes the child keeps the head not smooth, and leans to the left or right, or, for example, He turns his head to one side only, such a lack of help to correct the special orthopedic pillow and massage.
Also be sure to ask about what are the rattles and what they will need the child from 0 to 4 months
Picture text: istockphoto.com
