Between the ages of 8 and 12 months, your baby is rapidly becoming a mobile explorer out to conquer her world. Every movement she masters, from sitting to crawling, builds her neck, trunk and leg muscles as she prepares to walk. In a stationary bouncer, your baby exercises those muscles, builds balance and burns off her teeming energy. Once she can safely support her neck, share 20 minutes each day with your baby to bond and strengthen her legs through bouncing.
Bounce to Rhythmic Music
Infants are hardwired to react to musical rhythms, according to research published in the March 15, 2010, issue of "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences." Your baby may even respond to music more than he does to your voice. Crank up the radio and your baby will learn coordination as he instinctively synchronizes his movements to the beat. A bouncer supports the infant's body, allowing him to explore new movements with his legs without falling over.
In a study by Brigham Young University, children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder experienced higher-level brain activity and improved focus after listening to and moving to 40 minute sessions of classical musical. Play classical songs with strong rhythmic beats, such as Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," Bach's "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring" or Massenet's "Meditation from Thais."
Stretches
Show your baby new ways to stretch her legs while the bouncer supports her back and torso. Sit on the floor next to your baby as she sits in her stationary bouncer. Talk to her as you gently rub her bare feet. Wiggle each of her big toes. Flex her ankles by alternately pointing her toes to the floor and up to the ceiling. Pull both legs straight in front of her, spread them into a V shape and bend the knees. Rotate her feet and knees in small bicycle pedaling movements. After each new movement, encourage your baby to try it. She will learn how to use developing muscles to perform these stretches on her own.
Sole Bounces
A quality baby bouncer is angled so infants bounce on the soles of their feet instead of their tiptoes, heading off a habit of "toe-walking," which some babies develop when starting to walk. Children who habitually walk on their tiptoes do not develop strong calf muscles and can develop other health problems later. Their calf muscles can actually become too short to perform a full heel-to-toe step. Show your baby how to jump up and down in his bouncer, kicking off and landing on the full sole of his feet. He will develop long, strong calf muscles and get used to walking on his soles.
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