From their very first wiggles to those exciting first steps, babies & movement play a vital role in early development. Every stretch, roll, and crawl helps strengthen muscles, build coordination, and improve motor skills. Movement is not just about physical growth—it also supports brain development and sensory learning. As parents, knowing what to expect and how to encourage movement can make a big difference in your baby’s progress. In this guide, we explore babies & movement, covering key milestones, the benefits of physical activity, and simple ways to help your little one move with confidence.
Babies are always on the move, from wriggling on the changing mat to rolling, crawling and eventually walking. A moving baby is a happy and developing baby. Parents need to do all they can to ensure that their little ones are as comfortable as possible to explore and experience different things. By doing so, they will be able to develop their much-needed gross motor skills and reach their developmental milestones.
Babies are stimulated by sensory information in their environment and want to explore the world around them through touch, taste, smell and visual stimulation. What parents don’t realise is that movement is the building block for visual perception skills that will be needed when your little one starts school.
Encouraging movement is extremely important
Visual perception is all about the brain processing what you see, helping you make sense of it and then responding with adequate action and movement. Movement facilitates baby’s awareness and their orientation in space.
Giving your baby ample opportunities to move and play indoors and outdoors will assist them in learning how to focus, track moving objects and locate objects in the environment, thereby boosting their visual perceptual skills. When they start going to school, their orientation in space and hand-eye coordination becomes the foundation for them to learn how to read and write.
“A moving baby is a happy and developing baby.”
Parents can encourage movement by creating a sensory-stimulating environment at home that encourages baby to explore touch, taste, smell and vision. This can be done by providing baby with toys of different textures and colours, and varying distance from your little one. Schedule floor play time and tummy time to encourage free play and movement.
Here’s how to do it:
- Place baby on the floor in an open area with all their sensory-stimulating toys scattered around them to facilitate reach and pursuit. You can even place a large mirror in front of your baby so they can see their own reflection and movements.
- During free play, it is important that you as the parent manually guide movement. For example, during tummy time, encourage the lifting of baby’s head for strengthening the neck and shoulder muscles by dangling a toy object slightly above their head as they attempt to bear the weight with their arms.
- You can also stimulate rolling by manually rolling your baby from lying on their stomach to lying on their side. This integrates the memory of movement and builds postural control.
To encourage your baby’s movement, you also need to make sure that your little one is comfortable. You can do this by choosing the right nappy, a nappy like Huggies® Pants. “Huggies® Pants are designed to fit babies from the time they start to wriggle and move around until they no longer need to wear nappies. They also include the addition of Active Channels that absorb wetness and distribute it evenly, reducing sagging and decreasing the bulkiness, leading to more comfort for baby,” explains Morne van Emmenes, Huggies® Marketing Manager.
Huggies® Pants with Intelligent Fit™. Image: Supplied
Huggies® Pants are an alternative to regular open nappies and have been uniquely designed to fit like underwear so that babies have the freedom to wriggle, climb, crawl and roll more easily, enabling them to go exploring to their hearts’ content. Made with a soft and all-round stretchy breathable waistband, they make for easy change times as they are easy to pull on and then tear off for changing. Once you have removed the pants it can simply be rolled up and deposited in the bin. Huggies® Pants keeps baby dry for up to 12 hours both day and night.
About Huggies® Pants
Huggies® Pants are an alternative to regular open nappies and have been uniquely designed to fit like underwear so that babies have the freedom to wriggle, climb, crawl and roll more easily, enabling them to go exploring to their hearts’ content. Made with a soft and all-round stretchy breathable waistband, they make for easy change times as they are easy to pull on and then tear off for changing. Once you have removed the pants, it can simply be rolled up and deposited in the bin. Huggies® Pants keeps baby dry for up to 12 hours both day and night.
Also read:
What it means when your kids walk on their toes
7 benefits of block play
BabyYumYum Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Babies & Movement: Milestones & Ways to Encourage Activity
Why is movement so important for my baby’s development?
Movement is essential for developing gross motor skills, strengthening muscles, and improving hand-eye coordination. It also plays a key role in visual perception, helping babies track objects and understand their surroundings.
How can I encourage my baby to start rolling?
You can encourage rolling by placing a toy just out of reach, gently helping them roll from tummy to side, or using a mirror to stimulate curiosity and movement. Rolling strengthens core muscles and prepares them for crawling.
When should I start tummy time, and how often should I do it?
Tummy time should start from the newborn stage (a few minutes at a time) and increase gradually as the baby grows. Aim for at least 20–30 minutes daily, spread throughout the day, to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.
Does the type of nappy affect my baby’s movement?
Yes, bulky or saggy nappies can restrict movement and make it harder for babies to crawl and roll. Choosing a comfortable, well-fitted nappy like pull-up pants can allow greater freedom of movement and keep babies active.
How can I create a sensory-stimulating environment for my baby?
Provide toys of different textures, colours, and sounds, allow safe floor play, and encourage outdoor exploration. A large mirror can also help babies become aware of their own movements and facial expressions.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. If you have concerns about your baby’s movement or development, consult a paediatrician or child development specialist.
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