Moms and Dads are usually more concerned about feeding and caring for premature babies. In fact, in addition to feeding and nursing, the motor development of premature babies also needs to be paid attention to by parents and appropriately intervened to help the baby develop smoothly.
Premature babies are at risk of motor retardation
The baby's motor development is divided into two categories: large movement (including balance) and fine movement, the big movement is mainly to look up, sit, turn over, climb, stand, walk and other limbs and body movements, and fine movement is mainly based on the fine movement of the fingers.
Studies have shown that premature babies have an average of 2 to 3 months later than full-term babies, and there is a significant risk of motor delay1.
Comparison of average age of term babies and preterm babies in motor development programs*
* The contents of the form are for reference only, and the individual circumstances of premature babies are different. It is recommended to do regular monitoring and follow-up, and with the help of a professional, determine whether the baby is at risk of motor delay.
At the same time, the fine motor development of premature babies also lags behind that of full-term babies. Among them, the backwardness of the development of grasping ability is particularly obvious, and the smaller the baby's birth age, the more backward the fine motor development2.
Premature babies can catch up with full-term babies
How fast is the movement developing?
Premature babies have great developmental potential. When the care is in place, catch-up growth can be "carried out" so that all aspects of the body gradually catch up with the full-term baby. Physical development can catch up with growth, and motor development can of course also be
Premature babies can undergo daily exercise training with the help of mom and dad after correcting for 3 months of age, depending on individual circumstances and actual development level, and if necessary, neuromotor therapy or physical therapy can be performed by professionals. Preterm babies after training and treatment are more likely to catch up with the motor development rate of term babies3.
In addition to exercise training, parents can also play some simple games with their babies to help them better acquire motor skills and promote motor development, such as 4:
1
Joy hammock game
(Corrected for 0 to 3 months of age)
Let the baby lie on the blanket, and Mom and Dad grab the two ends of the blanket to lift the blanket and gently shake the blanket;
It is not advisable for the baby to play this game after learning to turn over on his own, in case the baby turns over and falls.
02
Heads up and buried head game
Place your baby on a flat bed or play mat in a prone position (lying on his stomach);
Put your baby's hands on the sides of the head, gently massage the back of the baby's head and back, and parents can also use colorful and loud toys to tease in front of the baby to stimulate the baby to look up;
Depending on the age of your baby, the playtime can be gradually extended from 30 seconds.
03
Cycling games
(Corrected 2 months of age and above)
The baby lies on his back on the cushion, and the parents gently hold the baby's legs and do the leg flexion and leg extension of the bicycle;
At the same time, with the action shouting "one two three four, two two three four" and other passwords, enhance the baby's interest in the game, cultivate the baby's sense of rhythm and sensitivity to numbers.
04
Sit-and-hold games
(Corrected for 2 to 6 months of age)
Mom and Dad hold the baby on the chair, let the baby's back stick to the chest of the parents, one hand to support the baby's chest, the other hand to support the baby's hips, with the baby's age increases, you can let the baby directly sit on his chest or sit on the chair, let the baby move or play with toys;
Depending on the baby's age, the play time can be gradually extended from 1 minute.
05
Frog jumping game
(Corrected for 3 to 6 months of age)
Mom and Dad hold the baby's armpits with both hands and lift the baby up in a standing position;
You can let your baby stand on his legs or flat, and when he is standing, his legs will flex and extend vigorously, similar to a frog's beating.
*The above game method is for reference only, parents can consult the doctor according to the baby's situation, and ask the doctor to help develop a game method suitable for the baby's current situation.
When raising premature babies, parents should not only pay attention to the baby's physical development, but also pay attention to the development process of motor skills, regularly assess the baby's development, and carry out sports training and game interaction for the slower baby as soon as possible to help the baby catch up in time, so as to avoid problems such as the baby's motor development delay.
bibliography:
1. WANG Jun. Frontiers of Medicine. 2015. 005(033): 189-190.
2. Hu Xiaoqin, Cheng Qian. Chinese Journal of Child Health. 2012; 20(10): 923-925.
3. Yu Li, et al. Guangzhou Pharmaceutical. 2016; 47(006): 79-81.
4. Li Jiayang, Liu Wenli. Journal of Educational Biology. 2016; 004(004): 177-185.
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