Baby Steps

🧴What you never knew about Aqueous cream 🧴

You find it among almost every baby shower gift. It’s on nearly every new mom’s shopping list. Your gran is a firm believer. Aqueous cream is the wonder cream. Right? Uhm, I might burst your bubble.

🧴What is aqueous cream?🧴

I’m sure you have all seen this “wonder cream” on every shelf in the shops. It has been used as an emollient for many decades, since 1958. It was initially produced as a wash product, but it has become a common soap substitute and emollient. Previously, it was the mainstay of treatment for eczema.

🧴What is an emollient?🧴

An emollient is a cream used to prevent dry skin and restore the skin barrier. It plays a significant role in the management of skin conditions. It is the first line in the management of dry skin.

There are many different types of emollients on the market. Aqueous cream is one of them.

🧴What does aqueous cream contain?🧴

Aqueous creams usually contain SLS.

🧴What is SLS, and why is it not recommended?🧴

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate is an emulsifier. It emulsifies oil into a cream formulation and acts as a stabiliser and cleaning agent. BUT, it is a compound that has been found to profoundly irritate the skin and make eczema worse.

Several studies have shown that even if products containing SLS are applied to healthy skin, it may damage the skin barrier and make it susceptible to irritants. It may cause tingling, itching, burning, or redness in previously healthy skin. These reactions are not serious but may cause discomfort.

Therefore, it has been removed from all current guidelines for managing skin conditions and eczema. Several emollients have been reformulated to remove SLS.

🧴What else does it contain?🧴

Since there are different brands of Aqueous creams on the market, they may contain different ingredients. It may often contain other irritating ingredients such as chlorocresol, cetostearyl alcohol, and parabens. These may also cause or contribute to adverse skin reactions.

🧴Is it still a good moisturiser?🧴

It is actually a poor moisturiser, and there are much better products on the market. It is also not recommended as a soap substitute in patients with eczema and irritative skin conditions.

Luckily, with research, these days, other emollients are much less damaging to the skin.

🧴Why should I worry about my baby’s skin?🧴

A baby’s skin is much more fragile and sensitive than adult skin. It is, therefore, more prone to irritation and requires unique products to remain healthy. Soaps and creams for adults should not be used on babies' skin.

🧴What should you look for in a good soap substitute or moisturiser?🧴

Look for products with a Ceromacrogol, Petrolatum/Parrafin, or Urea base. Other compounds are better than SLS.

Together with the University of Cape Town and the UCT Lung Institute, the Allergy Foundation of South Africa compiled a list of various emollients in South Africa.

The following products are recommended.
The Allergy Foundation of South Africa approves those marked with a *.

🔆Products with a Cetomacrogol base:🔆

🔰Cetoderm all-purpose Moisturising cream*
🔰Epimax Cream, Plus, Baby & Junior
🔰Epizone E and A
🔰Epy Derm G, B, U, and O*

🔆Products with a Petrolatum/Parrafin base:🔆

🔰E45 cream
🔰Epizone Dispersable Bath & Shower Milk
🔰Bioderma Atoderm intensive and Ultra-soothing balm
🔰Eucerin Original Healing cream
🔰Dexeryl Emollient and Cleansing Cream*
🔰Avene Xerocalm A.D lipid-replenishing balm
🔰Uriage Xemose Lipid Replenishing Anti-irritation cream
🔰Crème Classique Bath oil, Coal Tar, Dry skin moisturiser, ointment for psoriasis & eczema
🔰Oliatum Emollient liquid bath additive
🔰Sanex Atopicare Shower care
🔰Bionike Triderm Alpha Rich Cream base
🔰Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula daily lotion
🔰Noreva Xerodiane Plus Nourishing Balm

Products with a Urea base:

🔰Epimax Plus Body Cream
🔰Eucerin Urea repair
🔰Bionike Proxera Keratoff 10% Urea cream
🔰Epy Derm B or U*

🔆Products containing other active ingredients:🔆

🔰Cetaphil Restoraderm skin restoring body moisturiser*
🔰Mustela Stelatopia Emollient and Cleansing Cream
🔰Bioderma Atoderm Preventative Nourishing cream
🔰Eucerin AtoControl Body care lotion and Bath & shower oil
🔰SVR Topialyse Crème Lavante, Emolliente and Barriere
🔰Uriage Xemose Gentle Cleansing Syndet
🔰Dermikelp Skin Cream
🔰Healing hands Body glove
🔰Sudocream Baby care cream
🔰Bepanthen Sensiderm cream
🔰Pure Moisturiser and soap*
🔰Aveeno Daily moisturising lotion, Dermexa Emollient cream, and body wash*
🔰Dexpan HydraRepair cream*

This list is available athttps://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/AFSA-EmollientsSA_8Oct2018.pdf

🧴Should you throw out all your aqueous cream?🧴

There is no need to panic; finish your pots at home. Aqueous cream has been used successfully in many people without effects. But when you know better, you do better. Instead, get a better emollient on your next shopping trip. If you or your child experiences irritation with aqueous cream, avoid it altogether.

This post was reviewed by our family dermatologist, Dr Marietjie van Aswegen, in Bloemfontein. She is fantastic with children and adults alike. Contact her office at 051 880 0084 for an appointment, or you can do a virtual consultation on Dr Derma at https://www.drderma.co.za/dermatologists/dr-marietjie-van-aswegen/

Pic by Kelsey Curtis on Unsplash

🖐 Babies sucking and mouthing their hands 🖐

Oh, I’ve heard this a million times before: Look, your baby is hungry; you should start feeding solids! Or…Your baby is teething; you should give them something to reduce pain.

🖐Why does this happen?🖐

During the first few months (1-3 months), your baby tries to bring their hands to their mouths, but they don’t have the developmental skills to keep them there. At around 3-4 months, they “discover” their hands and learn to control them by keeping them in their mouth. This is actually a huge milestone.

👅They become their favourite playthings. There are an enormous amount of nerve endings in a baby’s mouth, and so they use their mouths to explore and discover their hands. They get the most sensory input from their mouths. You will see later on they will try putting everything in their mouth due to this.

👅When babies become overstimulated, they may start sucking their hands and fingers to calm themselves.

👅Babies have the sucking reflex, so when anything comes near their mouth, they start sucking away, thinking it’s a b**b. They don’t understand the difference yet.

👅Sure, teething can be uncomfortable, and they may want to gnaw on something to relieve the discomfort. But they will also show signs like increased drooling, swollen gums, and irritability. Do not give your baby unnecessary medications for teething; instead, soothe them by giving cold teethers to chew. Read more on teething here: https://www.facebook.com/100050595844490/posts/717092446653944/?mibextid=cr9u03

👅This does not indicate your baby is ready to start solid foods. There are many other signs of readiness. Do not start your baby on solid foods before 17 weeks, and before they don’t have a pincer grasp, they can sit independently and have lost their tongue-thrust reflex. Read more on being ready for solids here: https://www.facebook.com/100050595844490/posts/835410201488834/?mibextid=cr9u03

🖐Should you stop them from eating their chubby hands?🖐

No, please don’t! Your little one is learning about his body and how it works. Please don’t put little mittens on those hands. Let them touch things and move their little fingers. They learn so much from this.

🖐How long does this last?🖐

It usually lasts until about 8/9 months. If it persists after this, it might have become a habit. Distraction is the best way to break this habit. Give them a toy to play with. If it persists after your baby has gotten their teeth, it can affect the teeth' positioning.

Pic by Kelly Sikema on Unsplash

Ready to support Springbok rugby!

Powerfull reminder!

Words are more than just sounds; they're the seeds that shape young minds and hearts. At The Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic, we're passionate about harnessing the power of words to nurture and guide our little ones on their journey of growth.

Speak Kindness: Every word spoken to a child is an opportunity to build their self-esteem and confidence. Choose words that uplift, inspire, and encourage them to believe in themselves and their abilities.

Language of Learning: From bedtime stories to everyday conversations, words are the tools of learning. Engage your child's curiosity with rich vocabulary, opening doors to a world of knowledge and imagination.

Express Love: Verbal expressions of love create a deep sense of security. Let your children know they're cherished through your words – “I love you,” “You're special,” and “I'm here for you” – words that become the foundation of their emotional well-being.

Shape Values: Teach valuable life lessons through the stories you share and the conversations you have. Your words help children understand empathy, kindness, respect, and the importance of making positive choices.

Encourage Dreams: With your words, you can be the wind beneath their wings. Fuel their dreams and aspirations, showing them that with determination and hard work, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Positive Self-Talk: Teach your children the importance of self-love and positive self-talk. Help them build an inner dialogue that is nurturing, compassionate, and resilient.

Let's remember, every word we say carries immense weight in shaping the people our children will become. So, let's choose our words thoughtfully, sprinkle them with love, and watch as they help our children bloom into confident, compassionate individuals

You may think your contribution will not be enough, but every Rand counts!

At the Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic, our incredible nurses are the heart and soul of our mission to provide exceptional care and support to mothers and babies in need. 💕 Yet, we face a significant challenge in ensuring these compassionate caregivers receive the salaries they truly deserve. 🏥

Today, we invite you to become a true "Buddy" and join hands with us in our fundraiser - Nurture Nurses Back! 🤝 Our dedicated nurses pour their hearts into their work, but without adequate funding for salaries and running costs, their efforts face obstacles. This is where YOUR generosity can shine! ✨

By contributing to this crucial cause, you're not just supporting salaries; you're nurturing a community of love and care. You're making it possible for our nurses to continue their life-changing work, empowering mothers, and safeguarding the health of precious newborns.
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/nurture-nurses

Such a privilege to see how much The Healthy Mom and Baby Clinic has grown, expanded their services and extended the professional care to reach more women and babies in need. Super proud of each one involved. Check out their page and the work they are doing and please support them in any way you can.

YES!!!!!

Please share to grow The Nurture Revolution 💜🧠💜

Learn more in my new book
💜The Nurture Revolution 💜
https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/the-nurture-revolution

Learn more in my new workshop
🧠Know Your Baby’s Brain to Grow Your Baby’s Brain🧠
https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/workshops

The time has come for our next introduction to solids workshop! 🙌🏻

This is a workshop to equip parents/caregivers with the knowledge to safely and confidently introduce solids. 👶🏻

This workshop is suitable for parents/caregivers of little ones that haven’t yet started solids (0-6 months) or have just started solids but maybe aren’t feeling too sure about the journey ahead.

The topics that will be discussed include:
🧡 When to introduce solids
🧡 How to start
🧡 Baby led weaning vs purees
🧡 Texture progression
🧡 Allergens
🧡 Fluids
🧡 What to expect
🧡 Things to avoid

The session will be presented online via Zoom & you’re welcome to have your little one(s) with you! As it is virtual, it’s open to caregivers worldwide! 👶🏻

Please WhatsApp 0722226755 to book and/or for more information. 🌿

So its official! I am now a South African Certified Lactation consultant(SACLC). A special thank you to all my clients that willingly and knowingly(unknowingly) helped me through my studies, especially my recent research.
The aim of this qualification….enhancing breastfeeding knowledge and helping new families reach their breastfeeding goals!
Thank you to my mentors- Hettie Grove.- IBCLC, SACLC Breastfeeding Support, Heather and the rest of the extended team and SACLC community for continuous input, encouragement and guidance.
# SACLC

👶🏻How to play with and stimulate your 0-3 month-old baby👶🏻

The first 1000 days in a baby’s life have been deemed the most important and impact the future of your little one. During this newborn period, your little one may seem like just a bundle of joy, but they are little sponges taking everything in. Here are a few ways you can play and stimulate your little one at this age:

👶🏻Cuddle, cuddle, and cuddle. Enjoy your baby. You CANNOT spoil a baby. By showing your baby love, you create attachment and create a safe space.

👶🏻Do some baby massage. You can do this in the morning or evening before bedtime. Use lotion or baby oil. Google baby massage, and you’ll find a routine to stimulate your baby’s touch everywhere on their body. By touching your baby, you work on their body awareness.

👶🏻You can start tummy time straight after birth. Read more on the importance of tummy time here: https://www.facebook.com/1442008255941830/posts/1459214894221166/?extid=siNseueIMJ8YoACw&d=n

👶🏻Do skin-to-skin time with your baby. Baby should only be in a nappy. Get rid of that shirt and put on your favourite series and cuddle away. Another good place to do it is by bathing with your baby. It is good for connecting, and regulating their vital signs.

👶🏻Talk to your baby while doing everyday things and give them a house tour. Use ordinary words, and you’ll foster some language skills.

👶🏻Introduce baby to family and friends. Let them see new faces, as it harbours social skills.

👶🏻Pull off your best Beyonce and sing to your baby. Sing nursery rhymes from an early age. It helps with voice recognition and teaching vocabulary and rhythm. If you want a few nursery rhyme ideas, look here:: https://www.facebook.com/100050595844490/posts/741542700875585/?mibextid=cr9u03

👶🏻 A play gym with dangly toys is a great place to put your baby if you quickly want to drink your tea or eat lunch. It encourages reaching and develops hand-eye coordination when they try to swipe at the toys.

👶🏻 Babies enjoy bubbles from a young age. When your baby is on their back on the floor, blow them into the air and watch your baby look around. It’s great for visual tracking.

👶🏻Wear your baby in an ergonomic baby carrier facing you. Their heads are not strong enough to face outward yet. The movement and closeness to mama are great for attachment, and the vestibular input is terrific.

👶🏻Dance with your baby to any song; movement is excellent for sensory regulation.

👶🏻Do some mirror play. Let them play in front of a mirror and do tummy time in front of one. It fascinates them.

👶🏻Stimulate their sense of smell by holding flowers, citrus, vanilla, or lavender in front of their nose. Only do one smell at a time since they can quickly become overstimulated.

👶🏻Draw the curtains and play with a flashlight. They love following the light. It encourages visual tracking, and the contrasting colours fascinate them.

👶🏻Expose them to different noises by crinkling paper, balling tissue paper, shaking a rattle, playing music, dangling keys, snapping your fingers, tapping on a glass, pouring pasta in a bowl, or tearing paper. It will encourage your baby to turn their head to the sound.

👶🏻Put your baby lying on a towel, grab the ends, and swing them in different directions while they are hanging inside. The movement is excellent for body awareness and proprioception.

👶🏻 Have dad play the airplane game by making them hold them up above their head and flying all over, strengthening their muscles.

👶🏻Put down your phone and make eye contact with your baby. It helps with attachment and non-verbal communication.

👶🏻From a lying position, grab the arms and pull the baby up slowly to strengthen their neck.

👶🏻Print out some contrasting black, white, and red images found on the internet, as they can stimulate vision.

👶🏻Do bicycle legs by moving their legs up, around, and down. It teaches them alternate movements, which will help with crawling one day.

👶🏻If you need a few moments to do something, put the baby under a moving mobile in the cot. It encourages visual tracking, and you get a few minutes.

👶🏻While baby is lying down, move objects above them so baby can track them with eyes. Move them left and right, up and down, closer and further. It’s a great exercise to sharpen those visual skills.

👶🏻 Just a plain old walk-in pram is excellent to get them used to the movement. Try riding over different terrains, like grass, gravel, smooth floor, and rocky floor, for them to get the sensory input.

👶🏻A firm favourite is riding horsy on your leg. It’s great for strengthening their core, and they enjoy the movement.

👶🏻Play with the baby on a large beach or exercise ball. Roll baby in all directions while they are sitting, lying on their stomach, and their back. It develops balance and strength.

👶🏻Explore textures by running your baby’s hands, feet, and cheeks over different textures for a sensory experience. Think kitchen sponge, something rubber, fluffy, cold, warm, wooly, etc.

👶🏻Read to your baby so they can associate books with love. Do all the funny voices and sound effects.

👶🏻Immitate your baby’s sounds and facial expressions. It encourages communication.

👶🏻Encourage the baby to play on their side. Prop baby on the side with a rolled towel. Remember to switch sides as it works on body strength.

👶🏻Tie helium balloons with strings on all 4 limbs while they are lying on the back. They love watching the balloons as they move. It’s great for visual tracking and body awareness.

👶🏻Play peekaboo by hiding behind your hands or a small cloth. It prepares them to understand object permanence.

👶🏻Let them grasp a rattle, and you shake it for them. It teaches them cause and effect. Later they will shake it themselves.

👶🏻Pull funny faces while chatting with them, as it encourages social interaction.

👶🏻Let their left hand touch their right knee and foot, and on the other side, so they can start crossing the midline and prepare them for crawling.

👶🏻A rocking chair is a great tool to stimulate movement.

👶🏻Prop baby up in a box or container and pull them around in the house. It strengthens their core and gives them movement input.

We had a wonderful and very informative Mom & Baby get together. Thank you Dr.Chris-Maré Potgieter Schoeman for teaching the moms about the neccesary medication for babies in your medication kit. Lets continue builiding our village of support!

What a lovely, peacuful, “keeping-it-real” morning together as MOtHERS(new &old).
Our overall theme- You are who God says you are. You matter! Be the change where you are planted.
Thank you Tarryn van Coller for telling us about water safety.

Tummy time ideas!
And why is tummy time so important?
Valueble info.

TUMMY TIME: Learning Delays that could Result from Lack of Tummy Time - Integrated Learning Strategies Why lack of tummy time could result in learning delays. How to incorporate tummy time into your daily routine.

This cutie came for her 10wk visit. From the moment she saw my donkey on the wall, she was smiling, cooing and chatting to and at it……this donkey was painted by -marie janse van rensburg in April of 2020 during COVID. Remembrance for me of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, and what was to follow.

Brillaint!!
# The Wonder Weeks

⏱ The Wonder Weeks ⏱

When my first daughter was 5 weeks old, she became unbearably fussy, and I could for the life of me not figure out what was going on. She was fed, burped, changed, and woke up from a nap, so all the bases were covered. Like all first-time moms, I thought maybe it was cramping. My daughter was suffering from Transient Lactase Deficiency, and she was actually doing well at that stage cramps-wise, but I gave her more cramping meds. Still, she was a grumpy little one. I googled myself to death…as all mothers (even doctor mothers) do, and I came across the wonder weeks! What a game-changer!!!!

⏱The history of the wonder weeks⏱

Two Dutch researchers, Dr. Frans X. Plooij and his wife, Dr. Hetty van de Rijt, published a book titled Wonder Weeks in 1992. They are experts in Educational Psychology, Physical Anthropology, and Behavioural Biology.

Much of their research had been done on primates, where they observed many similarities between immature humans and primates. They discovered that there is a predictable pattern to fussy behaviour. Using their findings from 35 years of observational research, they predict when your baby will be fussy or pleasant. Their book is a collection of information about how human infants develop and what parents can do to support them.

Their conclusions are based on their observations and not on scientifically controlled studies. Not all parents find that The Wonder Weeks idea works for them. Both my babies follow it like clockwork.

⏱What are the wonder weeks?⏱

A Wonder Week is an intense period of infant development. There are thought to be peak, predictable times when all babies grow quickly and go through stages of advancing their mental growth. These are called wonder weeks or leaps. The development they go through alters the way they view their world. Seeing the world in a new way and trying to learn new skills can cause your baby to become overwhelmed, scared, or frustrated.

Fussiness and increased separation anxiety can signal that a baby is about to make a developmental leap. It’s useful for parents to think about what their baby is experiencing during a Wonder Week to understand why their baby may be slightly more unsettled and clingy at that stage.

⏱Is it like a growth spurt?⏱

The Wonder Weeks relate to changes in a baby’s mental development. Where they can begin to see and understand things they were too young to comprehend before. Growth spurts are generally specific to physical development, where they grow in length or weight.

⏱When do they occur?⏱

The researchers found that calculating the wonder weeks from the due date is much more accurate than the birth date. Still, many things can influence babies’ development, like genetics, environment, prematurity, etc. Therefore, 1-2 weeks before and after the predicted age is still normal for a wonder week to occur. There are ten Wonder Weeks from week 5 to around 17 months of age. Each stage represents changes in a baby’s development and perception of their world.

⏱Why use the due date?⏱

To calculate the leaps, you have to use the due date, also with preemies and twins. The timing of a baby's mental development is linked to the age since conception and not the age since birth.

⏱What are the signs of a wonder week?⏱

The 3 C’s are the classic signs of a wonder week:
🙈Crying
🙈Clingy
🙈Cranky

⏱What can you do during a wonder week?⏱

🌖The Wonder Weeks can be very tiring and frustrating for parents as they sometimes don’t understand why their baby is so fussy or crying the whole time. Take a break from the baby, if possible, and take care of yourself.
🌖Cuddle your baby. They are going through significant changes where they suddenly perceive the world differently. Change is scary for babies and young children.
🌖Try not to worry about your baby’s usual feeding routine. They’re likely to want to feed more often or less often. They commonly fuss at the breast or don’t want to finish their bottle. Sometimes the opposite happens, they seek the comfort of the breast, and it will feel like they are constantly feeding.
🌖Expect some changes in your baby’s sleeping patterns. Some babies sleep better and more, processing developmental changes, while others sleep poorly while practicing new skills.
🌖Plan ahead. If you know your baby is usually fussy in a wonder week, try to get ahead of it. Consider freezing a few meals and checking as many things off your to-do list as you can, so you can spend time cuddling your baby.
🌖Your baby may seem to have gone backward in their development. They usually feel insecure and might need you close by. They may also be practicing their new skills and tend to focus more on them than the others previously mastered.
🌖Babywear. Wearing your baby can help soothe your baby without keeping you from leaving the house or getting through your to-do list. The Ubuntu Baba has been my saving grace!
🌖Play with an old toy. As your baby’s perception changes, so will their response to stimuli. That toy they’ve barely touched may suddenly be fascinating.

⏱Other reasons for your baby being more cranky⏱

⚡️Being ill.
⚡️An environmental change. Moving house, starting daycare, or household stress can all cause changes in behaviour.
⚡️Teething.
⚡️Your baby’s personality. Some babies are slightly more sensitive than others and need more reassurance.

If you are worried about your baby, have them checked by a doctor. It’s important not to assume fussiness is because of developmental change and to ignore other symptoms.

⏱What are the leaps?⏱

☄️Leap 1 – The world of sensations – Your newborn is “waking up,” becoming more aware and alert, and noticing the world around them. This can be very overwhelming for them.
☄️Leap 2 – The world of patterns – Your baby is beginning to recognize and create simple patterns in his world. They’ll practice movements in the same way over and over or make the same sound again and again.
☄️Leap 3 – Smooth transitions – Your baby’s movements become smoother and more coordinated. The baby also begins to recognize changes in their world and the patterns of these changes.
☄️Leap 4 – The world of events - Baby is learning to recognize cause and effect and to predict outcomes.
☄️Leap 5 – Relationships - Baby begins to perceive distance, and the world becomes a much bigger place for them. This may be why many babies begin rolling/crawling at this time.
☄️Leap 6 – The world of categories – Your baby is learning that various things can be grouped together. They also become more mobile.
☄️Leap 7 – The world of sequences – Your baby begins recognising the steps involved in simple tasks.
☄️Leap 8 – The world of programs - Your toddler builds on their understanding of sequences and starts to learn that there is more than one way to accomplish the same task.
☄️Leap 9 – The world of principles - Your toddler learns to use cause-and-effect to achieve their goals. They also learn that their actions have inevitable consequences.
☄️Leap 10 – The world of systems - Your toddler is capable of understanding larger systems and can change their behaviour and actions to suit different situations.

⏱What happens after a wonder week?⏱

These periods are known as sunny periods. The babies seem a lot happier. During the Wonder Week, they learn new skills, and during the sunny week, they master them and show them off. They will often sleep and feed better and be less clingy.

⏱️And older kids?⏱️

Older children have not been observed as extensively as younger babies, but there are a few groups on Facebook like Misbehavior is Growth -- The Discussion that summarises a few toddler leaps. They are not affiliated with the Wonder Weeks.

⏱Where can I get more info⏱

💥The The Wonder Weeks book - An excellent book discussing each wonder week in depth. It is on my bedside table, and I regularly reference it. Check on Takealot.
💥The wonder weeks diary – I regret not getting one of these. It is basically a diary of your child’s development, and I think it can be great to look back on how your little one has developed. A beautiful keepsake. Check on Takealot.
💥The wonder weeks app - More information on the wonder weeks. It also includes a leap alarm, where you insert the due date, and it notifies you when the baby starts going through a leap. It also includes age-appropriate games and stimulation activities relating to the wonder week your child is in.

For now, the concept of the wonder weeks seems to be a reasonable way to explain fussy periods — unless someone comes up with something more plausible. Trust your instincts and talk to your child’s doctor if you have concerns about their development.

Photo by Yuri Shirota on Unsplash

First Postnatal get together for 2023! Our topic of discussion - postnatal exercise!
Thank you Elmandi Barnard for teaching some easy pilates techniques to get those pelvic floors in tip-top shape.

W-sitting! Very insightful. Thankyou Bloem MomDoc.

🐒W-sitting🐒

I corrected a child’s sitting the other day, and people looked at me with question-mark expressions. Kids have been W-sitting for decades, but child development experts have warned that it is detrimental to a child’s development.

🐒What is W-sitting?🐒

This is a common position in which some children like to sit on the floor. They sit on their bum, with their knees bent and rotated inwards, so their lower legs and feet are on the floor beside them. Looking at the child from the top, it forms a W shape.

This may look like an uncomfortable position to an adult, but children are much more flexible than adults, so this is a very comfortable way to sit,

🐒Why do kids W-sit?🐒

W-sitting is a comfortable, stable position for a child to sit. It leaves their hands free to play, and they don’t have to work hard to keep their balance.

Children with low muscle tone, decreased balance, and core muscle control, usually prefers to W-sit.

🐒Is it okay if my child only does this occasionally?🐒

W-sitting is developmentally appropriate, and all children will sit this way in their life, especially around the age of 3 years.
Problems, however, arise when children start sitting this way for extended periods. Children form habits very quickly, so preventing them from forming the habit is much easier than breaking it once it has begun.

🐒Why is W-sitting bad?🐒

Since it is an easy way to sit without using their core muscles, it may have many adverse effects.

🪑It may delay the development of their core muscle control and stability. This may cause delayed development of fine motor skills and mature movements necessary for later skills. They usually rotate their trunk less, so they don’t often cross the midline. This will cause delays in their fine motor development to later be able to cut with a scissor, write neatly, and even tie their shoelaces.

🪑Since the hips are rotated excessively, it may tighten some and stretch other muscles around the hips, causing balance and coordination problems when older. If your child prefers walking on their toes or with their feet turned in, this needs to be investigated further since it may be due to the tightened muscles.

🪑When a child sits normally, they constantly have to shift their position and turn their bodies to play. Children seated in a W-position for too long make them reliant on a broad base of support, and they need to shift their weight around less. They also rely less on their core muscles for postural control.

🪑W-sitting can also lead to poor posture later in childhood and adulthood, leading to back and hip pain.

🪑This way of sitting can prevent the development of a hand preference. They can’t turn their trunk effectively, so they prefer playing on one side or only using one hand on the same side. This may lead to coordination problems in the future.

🪑W-sitting can cause the hips to prefer to remain in rotation, causing an abnormality in how they walk.

🪑Children diagnosed with hip problems like hip dysplasia should be discouraged from sitting this way, as it may increase the risk of hip dislocation.

🐒Can it be a sign of other problems?🐒

If your child constantly falls, is clumsy, has delayed motor milestones, has poor posture, and prefers to W-sit, consider seeing your paediatrician for an assessment. Occupational therapists and Physiotherapists can also assist with an evaluation if you are worried.

🐒What is the best way for my child to sit then?🐒

🦵Cross-legged – teach them to alternate the leg going on top.
🦵Side-sitting – In this position, they are seated with their knees bent and both feet at the same side.
🦵Long-sitting – both legs straight to the front
🦵Sailor-sitting -both knees bent with their feet touching.
🦵Kneeling or squatting

🐒How can you prevent W-sitting?🐒

This takes a lot of work from your side. You must constantly make them aware they are sitting in this position when you catch them doing it. Have a verbal cue that makes them aware, like: “sit nicely” or “feet forward.”

Show them other ways of sitting, like crossing their legs or sitting with their legs straight. After showing them a few times, the verbal cue will be enough.

Explain to your child why you don’t want them sitting in the W-position. Tell them it builds strong tummy muscles so they can play even better.

Try to keep it positive. Make up a song, tickle them, or blow a whistle. Your child will respond much more to positive acts.

🐒What if my child is already W-sitting often?🐒

W-sitting quickly becomes a habit since it’s much easier for your child to sit this way.

You will need to find activities to strengthen your child’s core, and you can achieve this by allowing them to play as much as possible outside. Allow them to climb, kick and hang as much as they want. Balancing on a balance beam or even just playing some Twister can motivate them to use those core muscles and rotate their trunk.

If there is no improvement In your child’s core strength, consult with a physiotherapist to assist.

Use verbal cues as mentioned above, and expect some resistance at the beginning. Praise your child when you catch them sitting in the correct position.