Why Infant Brain Development is Like a Daily Visit to the Gym

We know that strength doesn’t come from a single workout and mobility doesn’t improve by accident. Instead, health is shaped by small, repeated inputs over time. 

What many people don’t realise is an infant’s brain develops in exactly the same way

The Brain is Built not Born 

Just as muscles grow through use, an infant’s brain grows through experience.

Every time a baby:

• Lifts their head

• Rolls

• Reaches

• Pushes up

• Crawls
  

They are not just “moving”. They are training their brain.  Movement is the gym of the nervous system. Early movement helps to build neurological strength.

These repeated actions strengthen neural pathways in the same way repeated squats strengthen muscles. 

The movement patterns should be balanced and symmetrical.  When observing your child’s movement, these are the things to look for that indicate development is tracking smoothly; 

• Turns their head equally in both directions

• Grasps a toy with either hand

• Rolls over both shoulders

• Crawls with both knees under them

• Commando crawls pushing with both feet and pulling with both arms

If you observe an imbalance in your child’s movements, a flat spot developing on your infant’s head,  or a delay in meeting their milestones, they could have some body tension that chiropractors are trained to detect and help.  

We are always excited to help families achieve their best health,  and that starts in infancy.  If you have any questions about how chiropractic can help your child,  you can give us a call or send us an email.   

It’s the little things done daily, in the small moments, that help facilitate balanced development. 

Here is a list of ideas you can use at home or when out and about: 

Home Gym Exercises: 

• Floor time and baby wearing instead of containers

• Opportunities to move and explore

• Time in Nature

• Hearing language from adults and older siblings via singing or talking

• Swinging and rocking 

• Baby Massage

The brain grows strongest when it is allowed to work.  Early investment provides lifelong return. 

By Dr Edna Giuntini