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.
How to develop a baby’s muscles?
Pedalling movement
Pedalling movement is crucial for the development of leg muscles. You can start doing this exercise soon after a baby is born and has settled. For this, make your child rest on their back and gently hold both ankles. Now, gently make a circular motion with both legs as if the baby is pedalling a cycle. You can do a set of 4-5 movements and then repeat them after a short break.
This exercise is recommended by paediatricians and helps the babies to crawl or walk faster due to the strengthening of leg muscles.
Another benefit of doing this exercise is that while doing it, the babies pass the gas bubbles out naturally, which does not cause discomfort or pain due to the trapping of gas in the stomach.
Make the baby sit and stand.
Give a hand to your baby to help them sit or stand often. This puts all the body muscles in use which strengthens them further. You can help your baby roll over on a soft surface to grab their favourite toys. You must keep the toys a little farther for the baby to crawl and grab them. The more your baby moves around, the stronger the muscles get.
Praise your baby
Little wonders love appreciation, so make sure to clap your hand every time they crawl, stand, or sit to grab a toy or object lying around. The more they are appreciated, the more they try to be active.
Swiss ball exercise
Use any Gym ball/swiss ball for this exercise. Make your baby lie on a tummy on the top of the ball. Next, roll the baby backward and forward while holding the baby firmly. This helps the baby to develop neck and head muscles.
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 2nd 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.
