Exercises on a gymnastic ball for infants. Exercises for infants on a fitball

In the distant times of our great-grandmothers, it was believed that a child should lie down until almost 6 months of age, and at the same time they tried to swaddle him tightly. Modern specialists in the field of pediatrics believe that this position of parents prevents the baby from developing fully and harmoniously not only physically, but also emotionally and mentally.

Active gymnastics from the first months of a newborn’s life is today promoted by many parents; exercises on fitballs for infants are especially gaining popularity. These exercises go beyond standard gymnastics and are an effective addition to it.

Exercises on a special ball help to master new physical skills, develop the baby’s muscles, improve breathing, and are considered an excellent preventive measure against muscle hypertonicity and traditional newborn colic. The main thing is to adhere to the correct technique for doing the exercises.

In a family with a newborn, fitball will be an excellent exercise machine and entertainment. From the first months of life, parents and their baby can perform special exercises to develop and strengthen muscles. When the child grows up a little, he will be able to independently master this ball, jump and play on it. In addition, many modern neurologists consider gymnastics on a fitball an excellent therapeutic tool for children with disorders of the nervous system.

As for completely healthy newborns, special exercises will not be superfluous for them either, since with their help you can achieve the following results:

1. remove, which is often typical for newborns;
2. strengthen the muscles of the back, around the spine, limbs and abdominals, which will allow him to earlier;
3. develop flexibility of the spine;
4. relax the abdominal muscles, which will have a beneficial effect on the digestion process and help prevent;
5. develop the vestibular apparatus and improve coordination of movements.

Exercising on a fitball correctly

Exercises on a fitball for infants are considered very effective. In this regard, they are recommended for babies and their parents by many modern pediatricians. However, before starting gymnastics, parents need to find out a little information on how to properly handle a fitball and not harm a tiny, fragile and defenseless creature.

The main rules and conditions that must be observed during gymnastics on this apparatus are the following:

• The ideal time for activities with a baby is the morning, because it is during this period that the newborn is especially active and is in an excellent mood;
• it is necessary to begin the exercises with a visual examination of the child, during which parents must make sure that he is calm and does not experience any discomfort;
• It is necessary to perform gymnastics no earlier than 1 hour after feeding the baby;
• You should never insist on classes if the child resists or is capricious;
• the baby must be given some time so that he can get used to the new subject and get used to it;
• Don’t drag out your first workouts for too long; a few minutes are enough for the first time, increasing the duration of the exercises each time;
• the ball should be present in the children's room from the first days of discharge from the maternity hospital, but gymnastics should begin only after complete - approximately in 2-3 weeks;
• When working with a child on a fitball, parents must clearly understand how to handle it and how to hold the baby correctly, performing all their actions confidently but carefully;
• You should treat children’s weak joints very carefully, since any awkward movement by parents can injure the baby;
• During exercise, you can organize musical accompaniment by turning on calm music.

What exercises can you do?

The main advantage of exercising on a fitball is its simplicity. This gymnastics does not require special preparation; all you need is the presence of a miracle ball, a good mood of the child and a little knowledge from the parents.

Experts recommend the following as basic exercises:

• rocking on the tummy, in which the child lays his tummy on the ball and carefully, holding it by the legs and back, rocks back and forth and left and right;
• rocking on the back, in which the baby is placed on the ball with his back and an exercise similar to rocking on the tummy is performed, while paying attention to the position of his head, which should not tip over;
• we spring the ball under the pressure of the child’s body, laying it with its tummy down or up and pressing on the butt or in the tummy area, while holding the baby’s legs;
• instinctive pushing away of the fitball with the legs when the baby lies on a sofa or other surface and the fitball is pressed against his legs;
• jumping on a fitball, when parents fix the ball with their feet in a sitting position and place the baby on it, carefully holding it and giving the opportunity to spring;
• rolling the child on a ball, laying his tummy on the fitball and resting his hands on it, using his legs;
• getting a toy from the floor - the baby lies on the ball with his tummy down and, when rolling, can reach out and grab the object;
• imitation of an abdominal swing - placing the child on the ball with his back and using his forearms to help him get up and lie back down;
• fixing a standing position on a fitball when the baby has already mastered the skill of standing with support, making sure to protect him from a possible fall.

All exercises can be performed with varying degrees of intensity. Moreover, depending on the intensity of their implementation, the apparatus can play the role of a relaxing massager or a dynamic exercise machine.

How to choose a fitball?

Today, in almost every children's store, in a special sports department you can buy a fitball. There are many models that differ primarily in size. Based on their ball characteristics, parents need to make the right choice.

The diameter of the fitball usually ranges from 45-75 centimeters. A ball with a diameter of 75 centimeters is considered universal, since it can be used by children of almost any age, as well as adults. Thus, with the help of this purchase, the mother will also be able to recover perfectly after pregnancy and childbirth. If adults do not have such plans, then you can purchase a slightly smaller ball. For kids, there are also interesting models with handles or horns, which they usually really like.

A fitball can have a different surface structure. There are balls with a smooth or textured surface, covered with special spikes. Of course, for a newborn it is better to choose a smooth ball so as not to cause irritation upon contact with the baby’s delicate skin.

Thus, by purchasing this affordable item, parents will be able to help their child with physical development and give him a lot of pleasant moments and positive emotions.

A fitball is a round gymnastic apparatus, a large elastic ball. Adults and children use it. Fitball classes for newborns at home are easy to organize, even for inexperienced parents. When to start, how to conduct training and what are the benefits of gymnastics on a ball for young children, we’ll talk in our article.

From this article you will learn

The benefits of fitball

Gymnastics on a fitball for infants is necessary and useful for the following reasons:

• Increased muscle tone is eliminated.
• Abs and posture are being formed.
• Muscles are being trained.
• Bones are strengthened.
• The vestibular apparatus and coordination develop.
• The functioning of internal organs and intestines is normalized (with the help of exercises on a fitball, mothers will get rid of sleepless nights due to infant gas and colic).
• The pressure stabilizes.
• The baby relaxes and receives a lot of positive emotions.
• The body receives a massage.

Fitball is useful for entertainment and health promotion. It is a mistake to believe that such gymnastics is needed only for those children who have neurological and physiological defects. Warm-up and communication with mother will not interfere with absolutely healthy babies.

Interesting! Fitball was invented in Switzerland. The author of the technique is doctor S. Kleinvogelbach. Initially, ball gymnastics was used to treat patients with spinal injuries. The simulator was named the Swiss ball after its birthplace.

Which ball is better to choose

When buying a fitball for exercising with a baby, parents need to pay attention to the following parameters:

• Ball size. The optimal diameter of a gymnastic apparatus for newborns does not exceed 45 cm. For children under one year old, an apparatus with a circumference of 75 cm is suitable for adults.
• Elasticity. The surface should be springy and hard. Check this parameter in the store by pinching the projectile. If the rubber quickly returned to its original position, then the product is of high quality and is suitable for training with infants.
• Material. Fitballs are made from rubber, caoutchouc, and latex. For infants, choose an odorless ball; the material does not really matter.
• Surface. The smooth version is suitable for babies. Children after one year - with thorns, horns, pimples. Also pay attention to the seams and valve. Protruding elements can injure a newborn, so the inflation valve should be hidden inside, and the seams should be barely noticeable.
• Anti-explosion system. If the projectile is marked ABS, then it will withstand a weight of up to 300 kg, will not explode under the load, but may deflate if it is exceeded.
• Color. For infants, choose exercise equipment in pastel colors. Poisonous greens, garish oranges and reds are most often cheap knockoffs.
• Manufacturer. Choose Italian, German, American balls. They will last more than 10 years.
• Equipment. A good set must include an inflator.

Important! Buy a fitball at a sports or children's store. The likelihood of purchasing a quality product in branded retail chains is much higher.

How to recognize a fake

With the growing popularity of fitball training, sports equipment began to be counterfeited more often. It is very easy to recognize a low-quality product using the following criteria:

• Low price. A good ball of small diameter, suitable for infants, will cost more than 800-1000 rubles.
• Protruding seams, inflation valve. Feel the projectile with your palm. If you feel roughness, burrs on the surface, seams protruding clearly, then the ball is fake.
• Folds. Even a well-inflated ball does not have a smooth surface, which means the rubber is thin. It stretches and has a low density. Such a simulator will become unusable in a couple of days.
• Strong unpleasant odor. The material has an unnatural, chemical smell. Inhaling this “aroma”, the baby can be poisoned.
• Bright colors and drawings. High-quality branded balls are made in a single-color version.
• Erased inscriptions. For professional manufacturers, the label does not wear off for years.

At what age to start

You can start exercising your child on a fitball at any age. The earliest is considered to be 3 weeks after birth. By this time, the umbilical wound has healed, the mother recognizes the baby’s temperament and can confidently hold him. Parents will feel the benefits of swinging on a large ball almost immediately. The baby will calm down and have fun.

Interesting! Dr. Komarovsky speaks out against rocking of newborn babies. He believes that this procedure only brings harm. But the fitball is treated very positively, if you do not use the gymnastic ball as a saddle for a tired mother who is trying hard to put her child to sleep.

Important Rules

When creating a schedule for activities with your child and choosing a set of exercises, parents should take into account some generally accepted rules:

1. Start your first introductory lessons with your baby no earlier than 2-3 weeks after birth.
2. The introductory lesson lasts no more than 5 minutes. The baby needs to get used to the ball and new tactile sensations.
3. Increase the duration of the exercises gradually, focusing on the baby’s well-being, his interest, and mood. By 2-3 months, exercise on the ball lasts 8-10 minutes.
4. Wash the ball and your hands thoroughly before class.
5. There is no need to pump the projectile as much as possible. It should spring back a little.
6. Place a flannel diaper on the gymnastic ball. This is necessary so that the baby does not slip off.
7. Turn on soft, calm music.
8. Take the child, hold him on the ball confidently, firmly. For newborn babies, secure the cervical spine well.
9. Regardless of the baby's age, ankles and wrists are not suitable for holding them on the ball. The joints are not strong enough - dislocations and injuries are very easy to get. It is better for adults to hold the child by the torso: forearm, chest, tummy, back.
10. It is strictly forbidden to leave a baby unattended. A child will be able to exercise independently, swing and jump on a fitball only after 1-2 years.
11. Conduct active activities in the morning, calm ones in the evening, so that the little child does not become overexcited and falls asleep well.
12. You cannot do gymnastics immediately after eating. Wait 1 - 1.5 hours after feeding or start exercising 30 minutes before eating.
13. To get the most positive effect from exercise, it is better to undress the child. The body will be in contact with the ball over its entire surface, the receptors and muscles will receive a good load.
14. Plan lessons only on those days when the baby is healthy, cheerful, and good at interacting. If your child is not in the mood and cries on the ball, take a break.
15. Choose a set of exercises on a fitball, taking into account the age of the baby.
16. During gymnastics, sing, talk to your child, read poems and jokes.

Important! You need to wipe the fitball before each lesson. Babies, lying on their tummy, will definitely try to taste it.

Exercises

Training complexes for fitball are usually divided into several groups according to the age of the infants. Parents should understand that these tasks are classified as general strengthening tasks and are intended for children without developmental pathologies.

To solve health problems with the help of a fitball, we recommend that you consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe a special course of gymnastics, which will be more effective and targeted.

Exercises for children up to 3 months

Newborn babies love to swing on a fitball. The basic gymnastic exercises for babies of this age are based on this principle. The baby is laid on his tummy, the mother sits on the floor or stands nearby so that the hold is strong. Complete the following tasks, devoting 1-2 minutes to each.

Swing

The exercise is performed on the stomach and back alternately. In the stomach position, hold the baby with your hand, placing it in the area of ​​the shoulder blades, and clasp the legs with the other palm. Make swaying movements left and right, back and forth. In a supine position, it is better to clasp the ball with your legs so that the fixation is stronger.

Spring

A two-month-old baby lies on a fitball with his belly. Hold the baby's legs and lightly press on the butt so that the ball bounces up and down.

Rotations

Spin the fitball clockwise. Hand movements should be done slowly, remembering to hold the baby tightly.

Leg kicks

Mom’s pet or darling lies on the sofa, a fitball is rolled up to his heels. The baby rests his feet on the ball, the surface is springy.

Watch the video on how to perform these exercises:

Classes for children from 3 to 6 months

Gymnastics with a fitball is much easier to do at the age of three months. The baby holds his head, his neck is stronger, he rests his hands on the surface, tries to roll over and sit down. Help him learn new tasks and his physical skills will develop faster.

Wheelbarrow

The baby lies face down, resting his hands on the projectile. Mom swings the fitball forward, taking a couple of steps, then back. The child is forced to move his palms to maintain position.

Reach for the toy

The baby is placed on the belly and held well by the legs. Tilt the fitball forward so that the baby can reach the floor with his palms. Place several bright toys near the ball, the baby will try to get them.

Jumper

The most favorite exercise for infants. Place the baby on the ball and hold it under your arms. Hold the fitball with your feet. Help your child jump, make sure he bends his knees and pushes off on his own.

Little Frog

The child lies on his stomach. The mother swings the ball back and forth, bending and unbending the baby’s legs at the knees.

Airplane

Lay the baby on his stomach and rock him on the ball a couple of times. Gently secure the baby's forearm and lower leg and turn him onto his side. Rock on one side, then switch to the opposite position.

Important! The set of tasks does not change with age, but is supplemented. Don't stop doing simple exercises for newborns, use them as a warm-up, and new ones as the main part.

Watch the exercise video below:

Exercises for children 6 months and older

In six months, it is important to strengthen the muscles of the legs, back, and spine. Exercises on a fitball are aimed at learning to sit, stand, walk, and train the vestibular system.

Downloading the press

The baby is placed on its back. The ball is firmly fixed with the feet of an adult. The mother pulls the baby by the arms, holding the forearms, sits the baby up, then carefully lowers him to the starting position.

Learning to stand

The fitball acts as a support for the baby. The mother places the child near the ball and rests the child’s palms on it. Hold the projectile so that it does not roll away. Slowly release the child and let him stand on his own. 2-3 seconds is enough.

Drag

Requires two adults to complete. One holds the child by the legs, the other - by the hands. The baby lies face down. Parents carefully pull the baby towards them one at a time.

horse

The baby must be able to sit. The mother puts the child on the exercise machine astride and helps him bounce on his butt. You can press the ball so that it springs along with a small load.

Keeping your balance

Place the baby on the fitball and find a fulcrum. Place your hands on your child's lap. Let him sit for 3-5 seconds almost independently, keeping his body in one position.

Help for parents! Download pictures online describing exercises on a fitball for infants. Print the instructions and keep them handy during class. This way you won’t forget or confuse anything.

A set of exercises for dysplasia

Dysplasia is common in infants. This violation of the formation of joint tissues is detected during the neonatal period. You can correct the situation if you regularly conduct fitball exercises at home, invite a specialist for medical massage and do not forget about the morning warm-up.

The following exercises on a Swiss ball are useful for children with dysplasia:

1. Place the baby on his back and support the body with your hand on his tummy. Press the child's pelvis against the ball. Hold your legs in your palms and make circular movements with them clockwise. Repeat 5 times.
2. Do not change the child's position on the fitball. Raise one leg and spin the bike 4-5 times, then do the same with the other leg.
3. Turn the baby onto his stomach. Let him grab the ball with his hands, hold his body. Bend your legs at the knees and place them in a frog pose. Press your knees to the fitball, fix for 5 seconds, straighten. Repeat 8 times.
4. Maintain the position on your stomach. Bend your knees so that the heels of both legs touch and your feet rise towards your butt. Hold for 5 seconds, release. You need to repeat 6-8 times.

Important! Prevention and treatment of dysplasia during the neonatal period will protect the child from lameness and joint defects in the future.

Exercises for muscular dystonia

With muscle dystonia, children experience hypotonicity or hypertonicity. For treatment and health promotion, use the pool, massages and fitball exercises at home. The standard set of tasks includes the following exercises:

1. Do it together. Place the baby on the ball. One adult holds the straight legs, the second holds the arms. Roll your baby back and forth on the ball. Repeat 10 times.
2. Don't change your position. Secure the child's back with your palm, tilt the fitball forward until the baby reaches the floor with his palms. Then take the baby's hands and release the legs. Tilt the ball back until your child's feet touch the floor. Repeat the bends 5 times. Do this exercise with 9 month old - one year old children.
3. The baby lies on his back, the mother places her palm on his tummy. The ball rolls in different directions at low speed. This exercise relaxes the back muscles well.

Possible contraindications

Fitball has no categorical contraindications. Gymnastics on a Swiss ball is useful for absolutely all children. There are just a few things parents need to consider when deciding to start classes:

• Has the child matured physically, has the umbilical wound healed? There's no need to rush. Do not put your baby on a fitball immediately after being discharged from the hospital. Wait 3-4 weeks.
• Which set of exercises to choose. Focus on the child’s age and level of development. For babies who show no signs of wanting to sit, walk, or stand, a set of exercises for one-year-old and six-month-old babies is contraindicated. The body has not yet matured.
• Why do you need fitball classes? If the purpose of the classes is general strengthening, then choose a set of exercises yourself, improvise, involve older children and preschoolers 5-6 years old in the games. If classes are necessary as a medical procedure, it is better to contact specialists (neurologists, pediatricians, orthopedists). To treat developmental defects of the musculoskeletal system and neurological ailments, an individual course of gymnastics will be required.

The benefits of fitball for newborns are undeniable. Pediatricians say that active exercise on the ball improves the baby’s sleep and appetite, which means the mother will be positive.

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Today, most parents and pediatricians are moving away from the principle of tightly swaddling a newborn baby up to six months of age. Increasing importance is being paid to early physical development, on which mental abilities directly depend. You can help your baby become healthy and strong by including fitball exercises in your daily routine. Our recommendations will make activities with a child of the first year of life enjoyable and useful.

Fitball exercises are an excellent option for physical activity for infants, promoting harmonious physical development.

The benefits of fitball exercises for newborns

The benefits of gymnastics for a newborn’s body are invaluable, but let’s still list the important benefits of exercises on a fitball:

• Relieving muscle hypertonicity is the main advantage of exercises on a fitball (we recommend reading:). This benefit is very significant, because increased tone is a common phenomenon among newborns.
• Massaging the tummy while relaxing the muscles helps improve the functioning of the intestines and solve the problem of colic.
• Training the musculoskeletal system, developing posture, improving the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, as well as strengthening the respiratory system.
• Strengthening the vestibular system through smooth rocking movements on a fitball.
• Massage and activation of internal organs.
• Strengthens the immune system, increases endurance and has a positive effect on the entire body.

We can say that this particular type of training combines several aspects of physical activity, and also has preventive qualities for the baby’s health. Such activities for babies are exciting and interesting.

Choosing a gymnastics ball for babies

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

There is a wide range of balls on the market for exercising with a newborn.

Size

The most popular size among mothers is a 75 cm ball, which can be used by any family member. This suitable size is convenient for both mother and baby for independent training. Parents can sit on a chair while charging, which is very convenient. Smaller balls (45 cm) are suitable for practicing on the sofa or table.

When purchasing, pay special attention to the maximum weight that the fitball can support. For comfortable joint activities with your child, give preference to balls with a load of up to 150 kg.

Material quality

When purchasing, inspect the exercise ball for any unevenness, rough seams, or massage ridges. Balls with such imperfections will cause discomfort to the baby and can damage the delicate baby skin. The ball should be moderately elastic, but not hard, so we recommend purchasing an additional pump to be able to quickly pump up the fitball.

Having determined exactly which fitball is right for you for gymnastics with your child, you can easily navigate the wide range of balls presented in stores. We recommend choosing a quality ball, so don’t save money and buy products from trusted manufacturers. From choosing equipment, let's move directly to exercises.

Organization of physical exercises on fitball

The first lessons with the child can begin 3-4 weeks after birth, when the navel is completely healed. It is worth starting classes with a minimum time: 5 minutes will be enough for the first time. During classes, monitor your baby’s condition so that he gradually gets into the rhythm and does not become overtired. Over time, increase the duration to 20 minutes, using new types of exercise based on the child's development.

Never exercise immediately after eating. Physical exercises on a fitball should be started no earlier than an hour or even an hour and a half after eating.

As the child grows, exercise on a fitball in combination with massage and bathing will have a beneficial effect on the body. You can plan gymnastics like this:

• massage – 10-15 minutes (see also:);
• exercises on the ball – 15-20 minutes;
• then bathing or showering.

All together it will take no more than 45 minutes, but will make a huge contribution to the development of the baby and strengthen his body. It is better to work with your baby during periods of his good mood. A capricious baby should not be forced to do exercises - it makes sense to choose a different time for gymnastics.

The effectiveness of learning a new type of activity will be successful if nothing distracts the child during classes - then he will feel comfortable. Be aware of your surroundings and thoroughly ventilate the area before charging.

During the first months of gymnastics, cover the fitball with a diaper, and dress the baby in a comfortable bodysuit or T-shirt. Later you can do without these attributes.

Gymnastics on fitball for children from 1 to 3 months

Gymnastics for children aged 1 to 3 months should consist of just a few exercises (we recommend reading:). The following complex is ideal for infants in the first trimester of life:

• “Rocking”: place the baby on a ball covered with a diaper, and, fixing the legs or body, smoothly roll the ball back and forth, then to the sides. The baby will really like these exercises, because they imitate rocking in the mother’s tummy, where the baby spent a lot of time.
• “Spring”: place the baby on his stomach and, with rhythmic but smooth movements, begin to spring the baby on the ball. A similar exercise can be done in a supine position. In this case, you need to apply pressure in the area of ​​the shoulders or hips.
• “Football”: place the baby with his back on the mat and bring the ball to his legs. The baby’s task is to push the ball away. This will happen on an instinctive level, while the leg muscles will be strengthened.

Such exercises will become favorites for 2- and 3-month-old babies. As your little athlete grows, add new exercises. For example, bring the ball to your hands in a similar way to the “football” exercise - by pushing the fitball, the baby will develop his arm muscles.

To strengthen your abdominal muscles, place your toddler on the ball with his back, then lift him up to a sitting position. Another exercise will be bending the baby’s legs at the knees and straightening them while pushing away the fitball.

Exercises for infants from 3 to 8 months on a fitball

By six months, the baby’s muscles will have strengthened, and he will be more confident in exercising on the fitball, which means it’s time to show how to jump and bounce on the ball. Explore the following types of exercises with your baby.

• Making the “spring” more complicated: hold the fitball between your legs, while placing the baby on the ball, holding it by the body. Help him spring a little for the first time, and he will quickly realize how pleasant and fun it is. A smooth transition from a standing position to a sitting position can be made by gently rolling the ball.
• An inquisitive baby will love the “rolling” exercise: place several toys on the floor in front of the fitball, while the little one lies on the ball with his stomach. While fixing your baby's hips, roll forward smoothly so that your baby can reach his favorite toy. Over time, the child will begin to be able to free one hand, then both. Such fun gymnastics will bring great pleasure (we recommend reading:).
• After mastering this exercise, you can try something new - “wheelbarrow”. We place the baby on his stomach and raise his legs so that he is held with only his hands. Rocking back and forth will help the baby balance in his arms and will strengthen the vestibular system.
• You can do exercises as a family by adding an exercise "drag". Parents sit on both sides of the ball, and the baby lies with his stomach on the fitball. One parent takes the baby by the thighs or legs, and the other by the forearms. A smooth tug of war is what this exercise looks like. It is important not to pull the baby's hands and feet, as these parts are not yet developed enough and can be injured.

For 8- and 9-month-old babies, you can use a fitball to learn to walk. To begin, place the child on the floor in front of the ball, supporting it, and let him stand on his own for a while, supporting him on the ball.

As you know, gymnastics and physical exercises are useful for absolutely everyone, no matter how old a person is. There are many different sports equipment suitable even for newborns and preschool children. A good example is a children's fitball - a special ball of fairly large diameter, exercises on which are useful starting from the age of two weeks. What can we say about older children and adults! And for new mothers, such sports equipment will help them quickly get in shape.

Exercises on a fitball will bring undoubted benefits to infants - both healthy children and those who have any problems. Such exercise will very soon give positive results, literally within a month.

• Firstly, exercises with a fitball help relieve muscle hypertonicity, which is often found in infants. Rocking on the ball helps develop the baby's vestibular system and establish coordination of movements.
• Secondly, exercises on the tummy relieve children from stomach colic, increased gas formation and help improve the functioning of the digestive system. Even during exercise, blood circulation improves and proper breathing is established. Exercises are an excellent prevention of spinal diseases and promote correct posture.

Gymnastics on a fitball is a source of positive emotions for infants. Swinging on the ball, the baby makes swimming movements, which he is accustomed to while in his mother’s belly. Familiar actions help the baby quickly adapt to the outside world, give him confidence, and give him a feeling of security. These sensations are especially important in the first 3 months of life. Many parents prefer to rock their baby to sleep on a fitball before bed.

We are afraid of fakes

How to choose a fitball intended for infants? An important factor is the size of the ball. The diameter varies from 45 to 75 cm. It is better to immediately choose a large ball, since it is convenient for a child to sit on it, and adults can use it during sports activities.

Choose a ball material that is dense, elastic, smooth, but not slippery. You can try pinching the surface. The appearance of numerous small folds, and the surface of the ball is in no hurry to return to its original state, indicates the poor quality of the product. Check whether the nipple of the fitball is soldered and deepened, whether it interferes during movement, and whether there are visible and easily palpable seams on the ball itself. It should not emit any rubbery or synthetic odor that could cause an allergic reaction in newborns.

An important characteristic of a gymnastic ball is the presence of an anti-explosion function (indicated by the ABS marking). These are the safest fitballs. In general, you should not skimp on the quality of sports equipment and it is better to buy it in specialized stores. A good fitball will serve faithfully for many years.

Basic rules of classes

Fitball exercises should only bring pleasure, so you need to follow a few simple rules.

• You need to hold the baby carefully by the forearms, tummy, back, butt, and ankles. A special ankle grip is used in many exercises. We advise you to look at the photos and videos in our article for correct execution. Under no circumstances should you pull the baby by the hands and feet, because... Such actions often lead to injury.
• It is better to leave the child naked. Clothing gets bunched up and thus causes discomfort during exercise. Unpleasant sensations from the surface of the ball can be easily removed by covering it with a diaper.
• It is permissible to play with a child on a ball no earlier than an hour after eating. The baby must be in a good mood. Light, quiet music will create the appropriate atmosphere.
• Gymnastics will bring your child even more pleasure if parents accompany all exercises and actions with children's jokes and nursery rhymes. Newborn babies especially enjoy doing this.

Health and pleasure with exercise

Exercises for infants are divided into two categories: intended for children from 1-2 weeks to 6 months and from six months and older. The gradation is associated with those motor skills that the baby develops every month.

Children under 6 months:

• Rocking on the tummy. The child is placed face down on the fitball and, holding the back or butt, is swung back and forth, right and left. Exercise helps relieve colic and improve digestion.
• Rocking on the back. Similar to the previous description: the child is placed on the ball with his back down and rocked, holding his tummy. In this position, it is necessary to ensure that the baby’s head does not fall back.
• "Spring." The child is placed with his tummy on the ball and, holding his back with one hand and the legs with a special grip with the other, soft springy movements are made.
• "Watch." The baby is placed on the ball with his back and, holding his stomach or chest, gently makes circular movements clockwise and counterclockwise.
• Repulsing the ball. The baby is placed on his back on a sofa or bed, and a fitball is rolled to his legs. Instinctively, the child begins to push the ball away.

Children over 6 months:

• Jumping on the ball. The gymnastic ball is firmly fixed between the legs, the baby is placed on it, holding the body, and they demonstrate how to spring and jump on the ball. Usually this is perhaps the most favorite exercise among children.
• “Grab it quickly.” In front of the fitball, several toys are laid out at a short distance. The child is placed on the ball with his tummy, holding his legs, tilted forward, helping the baby grab one of the toys. In an effort to take his favorite toy, the baby will tear off the first and then the second handle from the ball. The exercise easily turns into a fun game.
• "Shuttle". Two adults are required to participate. The baby is placed on his tummy, one adult holds him by the arms in the forearm area, the second - by the shins, and they begin to roll him back and forth. The exercise strengthens the spine and back muscles well.
• "Wheelbarrow". The baby is placed on his tummy, taken by the legs and lifted so that the baby rests on the ball only with his hands. They pull the ball towards themselves, bending the legs, and roll it back, returning it to its original position.
• Abdominal strengthening exercise. The baby is placed on his back and, pulling his arms, is forced to sit on the ball. You need to stay in this position for a few seconds, and then put it back again.
• "Airplane". A rather difficult exercise to master, requiring considerable diligence and patience from an adult. The baby is placed on his tummy, then, lifting him by the right shin and right forearm, he gently rolls the baby on his left side from side to side. Then they change the arm and leg and roll it on the right side.
• "Learning to stand." The exercise should be done when the child begins to stand on his feet, that is, at about 7-8 months. The ball is firmly fixed and placed in front of the baby. He stands and holds the fitball with his palms. At first, the adult secures the child, then gives him the opportunity to stand on his own for a certain time.

To perform gymnastics with a fitball correctly and not cause inconvenience to your child, watch special video tutorials. They are especially suitable for young and inexperienced parents who are not yet very confident and are afraid to handle their baby more actively.

In any case, don’t be afraid of anything, experiment, turn gymnastics with your child into fun entertainment, use fitball in games. The main thing is to let everyone have a good mood and a positive attitude during classes.

The benefits of fitball exercises for kids

Fitball is a simulator for all ages. You can use it even with a newborn, the main thing is that the baby’s umbilical wound heals. So, how is fitball useful for kids:

• During exercises on the ball, the child’s muscles relax. Infants under one year of age often experience hypertonicity of the flexors, a stiff back, and children also experience discomfort from tension in the abdominal muscles, which manifests itself in constipation and colic;
• For children, gymnastics on a fitball is a way to develop coordination of movements and strengthen the vestibular apparatus. While swinging on the ball, the baby will learn to understand his body;
• Fitball classes prepare children to master complex skills such as crawling, walking, and holding the body in an upright position;
• Fitball exercises are a great way to diversify a child’s leisure time and strengthen emotional contact with his mother.

Gymnastics on a ball with infants is best done on the recommendation of doctors. If you want your child to fall in love with a fitball, introducing a large rubber ball should be unobtrusive. It’s good if the first lessons take place in the company of a professional massage therapist, and when the baby gets a little stronger, the mother will be able to work with him on her own.

TOP 10 gymnastic exercises for babies older than six months

• Wiggle. This is usually where gymnastics on a fitball begins. Place the child with his tummy on the ball, firmly fix the back with your hands and begin to swing the fitball back and forth, changing the amplitude. Then change the position of the baby, turning him on his back.
• Let's keep our balance. Starting position – lying on your tummy on a fitball. The baby's arms are spread to the sides. Holding the child, swing the ball to the right and left, while encouraging the baby to secure himself by extending his arms towards the floor in the direction in which the fitball is tilting.

• Back and forth. This exercise is similar to the first point, the only difference is the amplitude of the swaying. Your task is to tilt the ball forward so that the baby touches the floor with his palms, and when making the opposite movement, he stands on his full foot.

• Grab the toy. If the baby rests well with his arms when hanging upside down from the fitball, invite him to play: when the ball rolls forward, the baby should try to grab the toys scattered on the floor. The adult supports the child by the legs in the knee area.

• Small plane. Starting position – lying on your side. The child's arms should be spread out to the sides, like the wings of an airplane. An adult holds the baby by one, and the baby leans on the other. The legs are fixed in the shin area. This exercise perfectly strengthens the lateral abdominal muscles, thanks to which the baby will quickly learn to sit independently.

• Roll the ball. You can start this exercise if the baby is already confidently standing at the support on his own. Place the baby near the ball, place its hands on the fitball. While supporting the child, push the ball forward a little, encouraging the baby to take the first steps.

• Little football player. The child stands on the floor, an adult supports him with one hand on his back, and with the other he fixes one leg, showing the child how to hit the ball.

• Jumping gallop. Hold the ball with your feet and place the child on it, holding him by the back. The baby will bounce his legs on the fitball. Over time, the baby will learn to jump.

• Tumbler. Place the child on the ball, spread his arms to the sides and hold the baby by them. Swing the fitball back and forth, left and right. This exercise is best performed on a slightly deflated ball.

• Frog. The child lies on his tummy, an adult supports him by the back and legs. We roll the ball forward - we bend the legs at the knees, when moving the fitball back - we straighten the legs.

Fitball exercises for children are not only useful, but also entertaining. In a playful way, you can strengthen your baby’s muscles and teach him basic techniques that will help your child master new skills.