Awake Time Ideas

Babies born prematurely develop differently to babies born at term.  Premature infants are at a greater risk of having delay in their motor development.  Common reasons which cause this delay are:

• Their muscles are imbalanced compared to a baby born at term

• Their head shape may not be round, so they tend to favour facing one direction

• They are easily distracted / over stimulated and have problems self calming

This information has been created to show parents and carers how to provide additional support to help your baby to learn new skills in the first few months after their due date.  These early skills are gaining good head control; raising their head and chest up when on their tummies with their arms forward; grasping toys and bringing them to their mouth.

Play Time Ideas

Short periods of supervised play will provide your baby with the opportunity to discover how their body works. Choose a time when they are settled and calm.  Minimise the noise in the room so they can focus on the activity.

Different muscles work in different positions so vary the positions that you lie your baby in.

Click on the links below to get some practical tips for different play positions:

• Remember to watch your baby for ‘cues’ indicating that they are getting tired or over stimulated.  Try 1-2 minutes of interaction before having a rest.  Allow them time to rest or try holding them in a different way.

  Side lying
• Lying on their back
• Tummy time
• Sitting
• Moving and carrying your baby

Sleeping Positions

Official Sudden Infant Death guidelines recommend that your baby sleeps on their backs at home, with their feet at the bottom of the bed until they are 6 months old.  Make sure that there are no pillows or soft toys near their face which could obstruct their breathing.

Alternate which way your baby’s head faces when you put them down to sleep.  Try and approach the cot from different sides so that your baby gets used to looking in both directions. This may help prevent the head from becoming flatter on one side.

CLICK HERE for further guidance from the Lullaby Trust

Equipment to Avoid 

Below is a list of equipment that is particularly unsuitable for preterm infants. Research has shown that this equipment can delay babies development when they are learning to sit and walk.

• Baby bouncers and bouncy chairs move when your baby pushes backwards into the chair. It over-strengthens the muscles that arch your baby’s back. These arching muscles work against the muscles that keep the babies in an optimal ‘curled up’ position.  Constant bouncing can also make it difficult for babies to learn how to reach accurately for things.
• Doorway jumping seats/ jumperoos encourage babies to bounce on their toes and arch their backs. Your baby may then find it difficult to learn to sit and be still.

• Baby walkers allow babies to walk abnormally, and do not strengthen the muscles needed for sitting, crawling or independent walking. Babies are better off being placed on the floor to learn these skills.