It shows in the baby book to allow your child to grasp your finger and then you help raise her up from a laying posistion to an upright sitting posistion. The picture shows total support for the wrist/hand but says anything of whether to do so or not. Is it bad for the baby's fingers and wrists to try it without supporting the wrist/hand. Is just the fingers grip on the finger enough to not hurt her?
2007-02-26 11:36:37 · 6 answers · asked by ChenobieTiger 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It IS beneficial for the baby - my 4 month old is in physical and occupational therapy right now, and both of her therapists do it and call it "baby sit-ups." It helps strengthen her neck, plus it causes her to contract her stomach muscles, which is important, too. As far as letting her grip your fingers, that should be totally fine as long as you have something soft under her in case she lets go. I've noticed in my own baby, however, that she seems to know that letting go is scary - she holds on pretty tightly. Have fun "working out"!! :)
2007-02-26 13:10:59 · answer #1 · answered by Cob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is dangerous, simply because babies are so unpredicable -- at four months old, she doesn't understand cause and effect, and she doesn't have the awareness that if she let's go she will fall and since you're hands are preocupied holding hers there's a good chance you can't catch her in time. The risk of damaging her wrists or finger joints are unlikely but it is possible. There's no benifit to her arm strength by lifting her like that. Of course, if you ARE holding her hands and wrists with yours, there is no risk of her letting go and falling, and then it is a beneficial and fun way to work out muscles -- That'll prevent any risk of damage to her hands.
The problem with the pillow is the cause and effect issue. She doesn't realize that the pillow won't always be there and she may practice with a friend or relative who doesn't think about using a pillow or as she gets older she may practice with herself using a sturdy toy or a piece of furnature and fall hurting her head or back.
Another danger is that she would let go with one arm and not the other and that does pose a threat to her joints because her whole body weight will be supported by the one arm which could cause dislocation of the should, elbow, or fracture the wrist.
As I said, supporting her by holding onto her wrist/hand is good, fun, and safe, but never let her lift up by just using her fingers. Everyone here says their child has never let go, but it does and can happen, and in my mind, even one child injured is one too many.
2007-02-26 20:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I've been doing that with my 3 month old for a few weeks. I always have a pillow underneath her in case she lets go and I can't catch her in time (but its never happened yet). It helps them work out all those muscles.
2007-02-26 19:50:02 · answer #3 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's safe as long as baby has something soft to fall on. Have fun!
2007-02-26 19:57:58 · answer #4 · answered by beanie_babymama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No its safe as long as u have a pillow or something soft to catch them but have fun while you do it.
2007-02-26 20:05:36 · answer #5 · answered by Dimples 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it makes them stronger.. if its hurting her she will let go make sure something is soft behind her
2007-02-26 20:12:04 · answer #6 · answered by vashton12 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋