I think Brady is by far my most active baby. He is constantly moving and happy. If you hold him up in the air his little legs start running! He is happiest when in motion. This seems to hold true for most babies, whether they like to be in moms arms rocking or swaying or bounced. There are so many baby products produced on the notion that baby likes to move. Have you ever thought why babies like motion so much? Why is motion so important to babies? Why is gentle movement one of the most reliable solutions to soothing a fussy little one?
The Vestibular System
The science behind babies’ love for bouncing begins with the vestibular system, the complex path of chambers that make up the inner ear, responsible for sensing movement. According to neuroscientist Lise Eliot, Ph.D., author of Early Intelligence: How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Years of Life, by the time a baby is born, her vestibular system is fully developed and she’s already used it to sense her position in the womb. At six months of age, the vestibular system has reached peak sensitivity as babies become more skilled in initiating motor skills on their own. Research suggests that vestibular stimulation as a method to soothe fussiness is more effective than other techniques, including a parent’s voice or touch.
Movement and Baby’s Development
Based on findings of a research study conducted in the 1970’s, the relationship between motor development and vestibular stimulation is believed to be strong. In the study, researchers evaluated the motor skills of babies who received mild stimulation and those who did not. The results showed that infants who received the stimulation saw advanced motor skills and reflex development compared to the infants who did not.
Methods of Motion
Nothing can soothe a baby quite like a parent’s loving arms, but when holding your little one isn’t possible, a bouncing seat can serve as a comforting alternative. Look for bouncers like BABYBJÖRN’s Bouncer Balance Soft, which can grow with your child from infancy to toddlerhood. This bouncer offers a safe and secure place for baby to play, rest and sleep—without the need for batteries. Bouncers like the Bouncer Balance Soft encourage a baby’s interaction with vestibular stimulation by rocking in response to his or her own movements. Avoiding bouncers that rely on battery-powered stimulation will eliminate the risk of a baby developing a dependency on movement for sleep.
Bouncing for Brain Health
Most new parents quickly learn the importance of movement as a way to soothe their newborn baby, though many are unaware of the neurological and developmental benefits that can result. Understanding how vestibular stimulation aids in a child’s developing brain can help caregivers take a proactive approach in baby’s development while soothing her at the same time.
Brady loves his Bouncer Balance Soft. He kicks and wiggles and it responds to his movements. I love that it isn’t battery powered, but is instead a baby motion bouncer. It relies on him to move it. He doesn’t rely on any vibrations or movement to lull himself to sleep and I always put him in his crib awake and he falls asleep without crying. I think there is a correlation to why he self soothes so well.
Does your baby like to move?
My baby loves to move too! I love that bouncer! Baby powered gear is so much better.
That looks like a wonderful bouncer! I’ll keep this in mind as a baby shower gift next time!
I had a bouncy seat for my boys and all I knew at the time was that they LOVED it 🙂 And they did.
My kids loved anything that let them bounce and move around. BabyBjorn’s Bouncer Balance Soft looks like a wonderful gift to give next time I attend a baby shower.
My 10 month old loves being active. I knew that rocking him in my arms calmed him at night, but I didn’t realize the science behind me. I always liked to think my voice was the most soothing – guess not! 🙂
My son loved his swing when he was a baby. That was the only way he would sleep. As soon as the swing would stop he would wake up. I wish they had bouncers when he was little.
That bouncer looks very nice. Our little once loved their bouncer.
Wow! I learned so much with this post. I didn’t realize baby’s motion was so important to their body and brain! My oldest was extremely active. He started walking at 9mths and he was into everything. My youngest, on the other hand, was a late bloomer. He loved kicking but didn’t walk till 13months.
Btw, Brady is adorbs!
That looks great. Love how relaxing it can be for baby.
My girls loved to bounce and the kids I take care of in my home love it also. I really hope to look into this for my future daycare babys.
My son absolutely loved his bouncy seat as a baby. He would cry when we took him out of his bouncer!
Gosh! Thanks for sharing this information. I am learning a lot about babies.
My daughter really loved to move when she was a baby. I’d put her in a floor swing and she would get really upset if it stopped moving or if I took her out too soon!
Both of my boys were very active babies. What does it mean though that I would still like a bouncey chair for me? 🙂
My niece is on the way soon! I would love to get this for her this looks amazing!
I knew babies liked to be moved, but didn’t realize how important it was on so many other levels. Great information, thanks!
My babies were active. I think they even moved nonstop in their sleep!
My kids used to love the baby swing i had for them. They were always happy to be swinging in there chair.
My daughter loves her swing when she was little. She would always cry when it stopped.
I had no idea of the other benefits of motion. This is really good to know!
We had a bouncer that wasn’t battery-powered too, and my son loved it. I didn’t realize it had great benefits for him too. 🙂
My son loves to stay active and he was like that even as a baby. We loved the bouncer!
My baby girl loved her bouncer! This looks like a very energetic one to own!
he sure looks very happy and cute,,all my babies were active,,I think that is what helps them grow,,my grandson had a walked and he went everywhere fast in that thing