Babies need to stretch, too! It's easy for their little bodies to get tight, especially when they are often contained or held in positions that may restrict their movement. When babies develop tightness, they may develop side preferences – only turning or moving to the loose side, which can worsen things on the other side.
One way to prevent this is to think about floor play in a way that asks them to turn their head in both directions. This simple gesture ensures your newborn gently stretches as much on the right as they are on the left, which can promote healthy motor development.
Here's how to support:
During supervised tummy time, place toys or objects of interest on either side of your baby. This will encourage them to turn their head to look at different things.
Get down to your baby's eye level and make eye contact from different angles. Babies are naturally drawn to faces, and this can encourage them to turn their head in different directions to see you.
Make interesting sounds or soft noises on one side to grab your baby's attention, then switch to the other. This can entice them to turn their head to locate the source of the sound.
When holding your baby, offer toys or objects for them to grasp. Place these items on either side to encourage head movement.
While breast or bottle-feeding, try switching sides for each feeding session. This will naturally prompt your baby to turn their head in different directions.