Wondering what you can do to make your baby physically strong with good muscles and a healthy body?

Well here are a few steps that you can take which will aid your baby in optimal muscle development.

Method 1- Giving Tummy Time to Babies:

Experts believe that laying your baby on its tummy right from when they are 4 weeks old for a few moments a day is the best aid you could provide in building their muscles.

When babies are lying down on their tummy, they slowly try to push themselves up and this will not only build their core muscles, but their lower back muscles, neck and hand muscles.

The building of these muscles is essential for almost all movements of your baby from rotating their body, lifting their neck, rolling over, sitting, crawling, walking to almost everything.

So what can you do ?

Just like with any exercise regime it’s always best to start slow.

Start by laying your baby down on its tummy just for few minutes a day and occasionally turning its head showing it different visuals.

Soon your baby should be able to lay on its tummy for longer time and supporting its own head and crawling as it grows.

Another thing you must do is…

Method 2 – Oil Massage:

There are multiple benefits of Oil Massaging and one of the major benefit is it helps in making your baby’s muscles and bones stronger.

Start massaging your baby’s body right from the day he or she is born. In the beginning it’s recommended that you massage with light hands for initial 2 months and slowly you can use some pressure depending on how your baby reacts to it.

Using a little pressure definitely helps in making the muscles and bones of the baby stronger.

As your child becomes a toddler, they become increasingly active. We suggest these following outdoor and indoor games which will help in building your toddler’s body and overall health.

Outdoor Games:

Outdoor games should always be supervised by an adult, preferably by parents. We suggest you play the following out door games:

Ball games- toss, catch and kick the ball.
Circle games- ring-a-ring-a-rosie
Catch me if you can.
Hide and seek
Follow the leader.
Exercises like touch the toes and head and shoulders
Jumping up and down
Swings, jungle jim, sea-saw.

INDOOR PLAY:

If for some reason you can’t take your baby out for playing games. Then you can try the following activities inside your home with your baby.

Put on music and dance away with your child
Exercises- touching the toes: arm exercises, bending forwards and sideways.
Let your child play with her cart- pushing and pulling it.
Give her a riding toy.
Take her with you if you have to visit a neighbor. Help her to climb up down steps- as much as she can.
Tumble and roll on a carpet or a mat.

Physical activity is necessary for your baby’s bones and muscles to develop; it helps to work off her frustrations. If your child is physically active she’ll have better appetite and will sleep better.

What should I feed my child ?

1)Breast Milk or Formula

Why?: Forms the cornerstone of nutrition during the first year after birth

Benefit: Develops a strong immune system, enhances your baby’s oral muscles, facial bones and aids in dental formation.

2)Cow’s Milk based foods

Source:

Whole-milk yogurt
Cheese
Whole Milk (introduce in 2^nd year)

Benefit :Plays a prominent role in growing strong bones by providing calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D and protein.

3)Grains and Cereal

Source:

Iron enhanced baby cereals
Finger foods like pasta, puffs and bread
Teething biscuits

Benefit: The arm and leg muscles are developed due to the supply of vitamins (B complex), carbohydrates, minerals and fiber. They fuel activity in your baby.

4)Vegetables:

Source:Mashed or strained vegetables. Especially tomatoes, peas and green leafy vegetables.

Benefit:Vegetables help with muscle development all over the body by providing vitamins (A, B & C) fiber and protein. Vitamin C helps absorb iron. Vitamin B helps with cell growth. Fiber assists in digestion.

5)Fruit:

Source:Strained or mashed almonds, dates, dried fig, cashew nuts, bananas, apple etc.

Benefit:They provide important nutrients like calcium, copper, magnesium, potassium & riboflavin. These nutrients develop healthy nerves, muscles, smooth working of muscles, maintenance of bones & energy production.

6)Meat/Protein

Source:Egg yolk, strained or pureed versions of chicken, fish, cheese cubes or tofu.

Benefit :Converted into body protein to grow and maintain bones, muscles, blood etc. Contain omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron and vitamin B that are vital for building muscle.

How to develop your baby’s muscles

Method 1- Giving Tummy Time to Babies:

Method 2 – Oil Massage: