Early intervention

Different positions

Your baby will experience lots of different positions during the day. From having their nappy changed to getting dressed to being held by you. There are many positions that you can use during the day. Moving your baby into different positions, movements and patterns helps support their development. It also builds up a wide range of experiences.

• Lying on your lap

  Having your baby lay on your lap is a safe and supportive position. It allows your baby to feel the movement from your legs. As you move your legs, your baby is adjusting their posture and alignment on your legs. 

  There are many benefits to having your baby lay on your lap:

  • Allows your baby to be in a more flexed position with their hips and shoulders
  • Lets you talk to your baby
  • Allows you to play with your baby in different ways:
    • Hand and foot play
    • Hand and knee play
    • Cross body play

• Turning or rotating from side to side

  This position allows your baby to follow and track toys, voices and people. It allows them to learn and experience 3D spaces. It will also support future side lying and rolling milestones. 

  You can do this position on your lap by slowly lowering one of your legs to support your baby as they turn into that position. You are supporting small movement and rotation in their trunk. 

• Moving your baby onto their side

  Moving your baby onto their side lets your baby rotate into a fully supported position. It provides lots of time and helps them feel safe as they are fully supported by you. 

  It helps your baby to learn about moving from position to position, rather than being placed into the position. It also gives your baby time to adjust to the change in position. It can reduce the chances that your baby will get startled or upset by the change in position. 

• Tummy time on your lap

  Tummy time is great for your baby's development. Using your lap for tummy time is particularly good if your baby finds tummy time on the floor difficult or upsetting.

  It provides more support to your baby's chest and pelvis. It also lets your baby hold their weight up in their arms while they are resting their arms on your legs. It's important for your child to hold themselves up by their arms whilst in the tummy time position. 

  Read more about tummy time

• Dressing your baby on your lap

  Dressing your baby on your lap is a great alternative to laying your baby on the floor or a mat. It lets your baby experience lots of small movements. This happens as you move them from side to side to dress and undress them. It also encourages them feel more flexion within their body.

• Carrying your baby

  It is good to think about the different ways to carry your baby throughout the day. Changing the carrying positions may help your baby to feel more comfortable and content. 

  It also allows your baby to experience different body positions.

• Lying on the floor

  Placing a pillow or a rolled up towel behind your baby's shoulders can be useful when your baby is lying on the floor. It will help support and bring forward your baby's shoulders so they can bring their hands to their mouth to self soothe. This position can also help them to look around and explore with their hands. 

  Placing a pillow underneath your baby's bottom helps supports your baby to bring their legs up. They can experience lots of different positions and movements. 

  These positions are good for when your baby is lying on a playmat or when you are changing their nappy. 

• Supporting your child to roll

  Rolling is one of the first experiences of your baby moving their entire body. It helps babies strengthen their muscles which are used when sitting and standing. It also helps them build their balance and spatial awareness skills.

  Some babies can find it harder to roll. You can help your baby roll by:

  1. Placing a toy just out of reach of your baby.
  2. Encouraging your baby to reach for the toy.
  3. When your baby reach for the toy, gently hold their hips. 
  4. Guide them to roll over onto their tummy or side.

  Rolling can be a scary experience for babies. You can help them expect to roll by counting "1, 2, 3!" before rolling them. You can also help your baby feel more secure by seeing your smiling face. If you can't be more visible to your baby when you roll them, use mirrors to see each others faces. Babies love to play with mirrors. 

  It's important to encourage your baby at every step. You can do this by talking to your baby encouragingly with a big smile.