We know the importance of physical exercise for children, teens, and adults. But infants and newborn babies don’t need to exercise, right?
Actually, science may have something to say about that.
As it turns out, a recent study found that infants may benefit from moving around more.
Research Behind The Importance of Infant Movement
The study published by the New YorkTimes tracked the movement of infants by using activity trackers. These trackers followed the babies’ squirming, kicking, crawling, and stillness.
There has been a lot of research into sedentary lifestyles of children in western culture, and the detrimental effect this has on their health, but little research had been done on the movements of infants.
The study found that as babies grew older, their activity increased, generally by about four percent over three months. Along with this, scientists found a link between movement and body fat. In other words, the babies who moved the least tended to be the ones who were the fattest.
While the researchers note that babies are not expected to be thin, body fat distribution, even at a young age, can predict future health.
“Infants who are heavier and infants who gain weight too quickly in the first year of life tend to be heavier children later,” Dr. Sara Benjamin-Neelon, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the new study’s lead author, says.
What Should Parents Do?
So how can parents encourage their infants to move around more? Dr. Benjamin-Neelon says to “Allow babies to spend supervised time each day moving freely on the floor, as long as the environment is safe.”
Dr. Benjamin-Neelon also added, “Tummy time allows infants to lift their heads and develop and strengthen upper-body muscles. This is anecdotal, but I have heard pediatricians say that many infants in their practice now are lacking upper-body strength.”
Helping infants move around enough is one way to support your baby’s health.
You can also help support your infant’s continued development with children’s supplements from Suppy’s, Bach Flower Remedies, and Pharmax.
Suppy’s
Suppy’s was formed when a husband and wife team wanted to find a way to get their children to take multivitamins. Today, all Suppy’s vitamins are formulated with the founders’ children’s own health in mind. With cold and flu season at its peak, support your child’s health with Suppy’s Children’s Chewable Immunity vitamin. It’s a great, delicious way to help kids get the beta-glucan they need for healthy immune function.
And even when it isn’t flu season, help support their health year-round with Suppy’s Children’s Chewable Multivitamins. Each Suppy’s Children’s Chewable Multivitamin contains six organic green veggies and fruits and tastes good!
Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower Remedies provide a broad spectrum of homeopathic formulas to help maintain health at all ages. Made from flower essences and other natural ingredients, you’re sure to find a formula that works for you. We recommend trying Bach Flower Remedies’ Kids Rescue Remedy, an herbal remedy to help your children find natural stress relief (with rock rose, clematis vitalba, impatiens glandulifera, cherry plum, and star-of-Bethlehem).
Pharmax
Pharmax provides high-quality, professional-grade products that help support and maintain your health. Backed by fifteen years of trials and research, Pharmax uses science to create high-quality products, like one we recommend: Chewable Vitamin D 1000 IU Black Currant Flavor. Chewable Vitamin D 1000IU by Pharmax supports optimal immunity, helps reduce calcium loss, and enhances bone health.