Physical activity is necessary for people of all ages, and newborn babies are no exception. Instill a love of sport and a healthy lifestyle from a very young age. Gymnastics on a ball is able to give pleasure not only to kids, but also to their parents.
At what age can I start practicing
If the mother doubts whether to start gymnastics or if she should wait a while, then the information that the baby is ready for exercises on the fitball for infants from 3 months will be useful.
At first, give preference to simple exercises in a gentle mode. Shake the baby on the tummy.
For the first time, 3 minutes is enough for an exercise on a fitball for infants. But you should only deal with if the baby has slept, cheerful and peppy. When the baby is not in the mood, it is better to postpone the lesson, since it will not bring benefits.
Before starting, do a light massage, this will warm the baby’s body and prepare for gymnastics.
Fitball Benefits
Exercises on the fitball for infants benefit not only healthy children, but also those who have problems. Regular classes give positive results in a month.
- Classes with fitball relieve muscle hypertonicity, which is often found in young children. Develop the vestibular apparatus and coordination of movements.
- Swinging on the tummy helps eliminate gas formation and gastric colic. Gymnastics forms the correct posture and prevents the occurrence of problems with the spine.
Exercises on the ball charge the baby with positive emotions. Up to 3 years, the baby is still accustomed to the swimming movements that he performed in his mother’s tummy. Therefore, wiggle on the fitball helps the baby quickly adapt to the outside world.
Basic rules for classes
In order for gymnastics on fitball to bring joy and benefit, you must adhere to several rules:
- During exercise, hold the baby by the ankles, tummy, back or forearm. It is impossible to pull the baby by the feet or hands, this can lead to injury.
- Cover the ball with a diaper. It is easier for a kid to master the exercises naked, since excess clothing will interfere with the correct execution of tasks and hamper the crumb in movements.
- Gymnastics will bring more positive emotions if classes are supplemented by rhymes and songs.
- To deal with the child should not be earlier than 50-60 minutes after eating. You can turn on soft and soothing music.
- Before starting classes immediately, make sure the baby is in a good mood. If this is not so, then it is worth postponing classes for a while.
Choosing a fitball for exercising with babies
Before starting classes, many parents have a question about choosing a fitball. In the market of children's goods there are many balls made in different versions and having various functions.
There are such types:
- The classic ball has a smooth texture with small notches that are not felt during operation.
- Massage fitball has a pimpled surface and has a massage effect when in contact with the body. Useful for improving blood microcirculation.
- With handles. It is these balls that orthopedists advise parents to practice with babies. But this feature of the fitball is aimed at correcting the legs, the position of which is in the X-shaped in shape. It is not suitable for a full-fledged complex of gymnastic exercises, since the horns will interfere with the process.
For newborn babies, you should buy a ball made in the classic version. Fitball with massage effect and handles will suit older children.
Effective Fitball Exercises
For children under 6 months, the following set of exercises is suitable:
- Wiggle. The baby is laid on the ball with its tummy and begins to slowly wiggle.
- Clock. The baby is placed on the fitball first on the back, then on the stomach and the ball rotates smoothly clockwise.
- Download the press. The baby is lying on the ball, mother, gently holding the child by the forearm raises and seats, and so on.
- Airplane. The baby is laid on its side, supported by the lower leg and left forearm, swing, then change sides.
- Great support. The baby stands opposite the ball and wraps his arms around it.
Gymnastics from 1 to 3 months
Exercises on a fitball for infants 3 months should be simple and short:
- Football. Lay the baby back on the mat and bring the ball to the baby. The kid should push him off with his legs. Thus, the muscles involved during exercise will be strengthened.
- Spring Put the little ones on their stomach and spring the ball smoothly.
- Shake it. Cover the fitball with a diaper, then lay the crumbs on the tummy, holding the legs or back. Start making sideways rolling movements.
Exercises on a fitball for babies 2 months old will really please children. As soon as the crumb easily copes with the tasks, you can begin to complicate them, for example, push the ball away not with legs, but with handles.
Exercises from 5 months
Exercises on a fitball for infants 5 months can be complicated by adding new elements of gymnastics. The crumbs muscles at this point in time are already quite strong, which means that the gymnastics on the ball will be more active and more confident.
Exercises:
- Complication of the spring. Grip the ball between the legs, put the crumbs on the fitball, holding the body. Help the baby make springing movements. After the child is comfortable, you can roll the ball and change the standing position to a sitting position.
- Before the fitball, lay out some of your favorite crumbs toys on the floor. When fixing the hips of the crumbs, roll the ball so that the child can grab the toy. Such a fun lesson not only promotes muscle development, but also turns gymnastics into an exciting lesson.
- We lay the crumbs on the tummy, then hold and raise the legs. The kid should fix the position on his hands, after which you can swing the ball. Such an exercise will strengthen the vestibular apparatus.
- Tug of war. Parents stand near the ball opposite each other. The baby lies on the tummy, mom holds the baby by the forearm, and dad by the hips. And they begin to smoothly “pull” the child.
For older children, fitball can be used as a support, the baby will learn to stand on its own and keep balance. After the baby learns to walk by the handle, it will be easier for him to take the first steps with the ball.
Advice
Before you start gymnastics with a baby, you should familiarize yourself with the recommendations that will be useful before starting classes.
- Try to conduct active classes in the morning, and calm in the evening. This arrangement in the morning will charge the baby with energy, and before going to bed will help to relax.
- Before proceeding to gymnastics, you should make sure that the baby is feeling well.
- If the baby is naughty and shows his dissatisfaction with all the actions that they want to do with him, postpone the lesson for another time.
- The interval before meals before and after training on the ball should not be less than 1 hour.
- The first time for an exercise on a fitball for infants is 5-10 minutes, then the duration can be gradually increased.
- Never hold the child by the hands or feet while doing the exercises.
- Hold the crumbs by the hips, body, or forearm throughout the lesson.
- You can not leave the child on the ball without support.
- If the baby is naked, be sure to cover the ball with a diaper.
- Choose exercises on the fitball for infants according to the age of the child, do not rush and complicate the training process. There will be no benefit from this.
- Accompany the training with songs or rhymes, so the child will be more involved in the process.
Before you actively begin to do gymnastics on the ball, it is not superfluous to consult a pediatrician. The doctor will give recommendations and answer questions of interest. Moreover, he will offer an individual program that will bring only benefits to the peanut.